[1/13/2010 SteppersUSA Daily News]
Time To Think
By Markie Bee
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I had today's article written and
ready to go last night when events took a turn. If you have been
watching the news I'm sure you know about the devastating earthquake
that virtually destroyed Port-au-Prince Haiti. I remember back when
the tsunami in Malaysia hit, steppers stepped up to the plate and
did fundraisers for relief in that situation. This disaster has
happened literally right outside our front door. Perhaps it's time
to put our best foot forward at some of the big events coming up in
the next few weeks.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if during the M. L. King weekend, one that
commemorates the spirit of giving and service some time and money
were set aside for assistance for the people of the poorest country
in our hemisphere who have just experienced this natural disaster?
As human beings and as a community we have to have a conscience.
This would be a wonderful way to step for a cause. What do you
think?
Now, today's column as I originally wrote it...
There really should be a conversation… a
national conversation taking place at every steppers event, at every
steppers class, in every steppers newsletter about the International
Steppers Association (ISA). The impact can be monumental as it possibly
could change the course of Chicago style stepping in virtually every
respect.
It's been promoted as a "grass roots" movement. According to Wikipedia
here's one definition… "To cite a specific hypothetical example, a
national grassroots organization, would place as much decision-making
power as possible in the hands of a local chapter instead of the head
office. The principle is that for democratic power to be best exercised
it must be vested in a local community instead of isolated, atomized
individuals, essentially making it the opposite of national supremacy.
As such, grassroots organizations exist in contrast to so-called
participatory systems, which tend to allow individuals equal access to
decision-making irrespective of their standing in a local community, or
which particular community they reside in. As well, grassroots systems
also differ from representative systems that allow local communities or
national memberships to elect representatives who then go on to make
decisions." Personally I would prefer it to be one of the "so-called
participatory systems" with local representation opposed to a
"democratic system" lead by power centers (take a look at Chicago
politics both inside and outside of the steppers community).
People are beginning to realize change is inevitable within our dance
form. To coin a phrase from one person who wrote me about the ISA and
its relationship to Chicago, "The train has left the station." I would
probably rephrase the statement to the conductor has shouted "all
aboard" and now we all have the opportunity to get on the train and have
influence to insure the dance doesn't loose what makes it Chicago style
stepping.
Why wouldn't Chicago want to be a part and an influence in this
conversation? It's going to happen and we will see the light of the
national spotlight inevitably as a result? Your thoughts?
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