Popular Dance Show Incites War Controversy
Mia Michael's Wears a Marine Corps Dress Blue Uniform Incorrectly and Wade Robson Creates an Anti-war Dance Routine
So You Think You Can Dance is an entertainment show, not a personal political platform for the producers and choreographers and I resent being preached to, no matter how it's packaged and delivered.
First, the gifted choreographer and judge, Mia Michaels, donned the dress blue uniform of the United States Marine Corps and what was noticed by many is that one of the emblems was upside down, which came across as disgraceful. This by itself was offensive to many Marines because they consider the dress blues a privilege to wear and they earned the right to wear them, which commands respect. Not only that but the honor of the uniform is such that Marines are oftentimes laid to rest in them after sacrificing their lives in the defense of freedom. What made it worse is that the uniform was worn on the exact same night that an anti-war theme took place; coincidence? It surely didn't come across as a fashion statement in support of the military.
And then, tonight, the beautiful host, Cat Deeley, attempted to smooth things over following Mia Michael's heartfelt apology by stating "it was just a jacket..."
Cat Deeley missed the entire reason why so many Marines were offended, even after the offense was explained to her.
Nonetheless, I do appreciate Mia Michael's apologizing for wearing the uniform, but some anti-war activists are in an uproar over that very same apology; since they took no offense, they felt as if others shouldn't be offended either, and that's not how it works. An apology is a thoughtful gesture and doesn't denote that the person making such a gesture is wrong; it just means they are considerate towards the feelings of others. Simply because one may not understand cause for offense does not mean an apology is unnecessary.
Secondly, Wade Robson, another choreographer, decided to create a "peace theme" for all the solo routines. Wade stated, "This is about war - anti-war."
And from then on, the viewing audience was subjected to 10 jaded solos to music sung by John Mayer with each dancer wearing "peace" t-shirts. Concluding each solo, the dancer flashed the peace sign; it was overkill.
But who would take offense to something as benign as a peace message?
I would.
The "peace" symbols Wade Robson incorporated into his routine were made infamous while protesting the Vietnam War - that's what's offensive. Many of those 'so-called' peace protestors humiliated, spit upon, assaulted (how is that for peace?) and harassed the men and women who served in the military, which was reprehensible, and its why those very same symbols offend me to this day.
I have nothing against the desire for peace - wouldn't we all love to have it? However, this world will never have peace so long as two human beings exist.
We are at war and men and women are fighting on our behalf. While they are in harm's way, and we're safe at home, they should be supported and uplifted and these anti-war statements are demoralizing because they do not come across as encouraging. The reason why is because they, along with their symbols, were used to hurt our troops in the 1960's and early 1970's.
The bottom line is that when I seek a reprieve from the news and politics, I tune into entertainment shows as a way to unwind. It might be different if there was some sort of balance, but the display on So You Think You Can Dance was very much one-sided and I find that disappointing.
Published by Donna H. Davey
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17 Comments
Post a CommentArt is allowed to express whatever the artist wants to express. If they did a theme of pro-military that could offend some people, but you wouldn't think twice about that. Dance comes from what inspires the artist. If you don't like it, tune to Dancing with the stars for mindless choreography.
Soldier, thank you for your comment, and more importantly - your service.
Sure, Robertson's choreography was blatantly against the war, and I can't blame him. Like Mia Michaels, he has a skewed and very individualistic ideal of how the world should be - which most likely doesn't mesh with how the world actually is. If you watch the show, you can tell that most of the choreographers they use are disconnected from reality, which is neither a good nor bad thing. Personally, I think they are all artistic geniuses, and as such they have earned the right to live in their own little world. When you can do what they do, you have earned the right to criticise their work.
Dance is an art form. As any art form, it is highly subjective - as with Mia Michaels' piece on season 3 that was inspired by the loss of her father - you either loved or hated it. There are no industry standards or thought-police telling people how they should feel/think about art. Art exists not because it is seen by the public, but because it is seen by the creator. And as such, criticize the p
There are so many regulations with the uniform that half the time even soldiers don't know why the uniform is what it is, or how the emblems are supposed to be worn. Take ribbons, for instance - There's a 600 page book that serves only one purpose to any member of the military; how to put them on in the proper order. That said, you can't blame Mia Michaels, who has no military experience and likely has no close military friends, for not knowing that the rank insignia (yes, that was a marine corps rank insignia on the hem of the sleeve) was upside down.
As regards Wade Robertson's choreography. I was injured overseas on deployment. I spent a year in Walter Reed. I've seen some pretty nasty anti-war sentiments, and hell I've even been spit on and verbally assaulted by uppity pretentious teens that couldn't tell the difference between supporting the troops and supporting the war. Nobody I know supports the war, yet most people still manage to support the troops.
Sure, Robertson's c
What in the hell is wrong with you people? She wore a jacket. The emblem was upside down. Offended? Really? As I seem to recall there was a fairly serious controversy in large parts of the muslim world due to some cartoons that appeared in the Danish press. The hysterical overreaction that this created was rightly dismissed as extremism of the worst kind and a wholly disproportionate response to the right of free expression, which as I remember is one of the fundamental freedoms of your great nation. Get a grip... Also, as far as Wade's "anti-war" choreography goes, a Peace-sign t-shirt and some pretentious high-school slogans do not represent a clear and present danger to your country nor to your precious war effort. You people have no idea...
People, you are too much! Mia Michaels' jacket was a jacket. Get a grip! I do not doubt that Mia Michaels, Wade Robson or anyone else on the show supports the troops and that they are thankful. Her thoughts about the war are her thoughts and America, the land of the free, has freedom of speech, right! Let her speak!!! Just as you are speaking here. Not that she said anything about the war. She wore a jacket! And she did apologise for it, didn't she! Instead of bitching, wouldn't it be fair to accept it! Alice, how can you say that she should be put in jail and have her rights taken away from her? For what? Wearing a jacket??? Serious? Wade Robson choreographed a brilliant dance. I agree, the solo got boring by the fifth time. However, this show is about the skills of young dancers. Shouldn't we focus on that?
Great article, Donna. I was troubled by that episode also.
As always Donna, I love your articles. I am so glad to see that you are back to writing these pieces.
Excellent article, Donna. I agree. People watch this program (and others) to be entertained. If Mia and Wade want to express their views about the war--as much as I firmly disagree with them--then fine, let them do so where they have a proper forum. But not on an entertainment program, and not in the manner in which they did on this show.
10-4, Donna.