Matthew Bocaya
Period. 1
03/17/09
Love to Dance
Ever did something that you love to do, but someone comes up to you and said that you aren’t Supposed to be doing it, even though whatever you’re doing isn’t bothering anyone, or destroying property? If you’ve had that happen to you, you’ve probably felt confused, maybe angered or disappointed. You’ve probably thought, “ I should be able to do this, what’s their problem?”
I feel the same on how at school we aren’t “supposed” to be break-dancing in the hallway during recess. Especially whenever there is a battle. Battle in dancing terms is two or more people going against each other using their dance style to try and win a round. No violence whatsoever. All the people that take part in this aren’t trying to make trouble at all. We merely entertain ourselves and possibly others during our session. We know better than to just go and think of just ourselves and not being considerate to other people that also use the hallway.
So far, there was no complaints from any student, or teacher about our little break sessions. The only complaints are from the security, school staff, and supervisors. They say that we block the passage, the flow of people traversing the halls, by attracting crowds. We have tried to solve this problem by moving our location to a hall that is rarely used. This wasn’t the solution though, because this particular hallway was right in front of a classroom. In the Leilehua High School planner, it doesn’t show that we were breaking the rules, regulations, or policy of Leilehua. We weren’t dancing in an off-limits area, and isn’t an altercation. We weren’t showing any boisterous behavior, or vulgar language or gestures. Even when school staff members come to break it up, we treat them with courtesy and respect. Although we express disappointment, we don’t take it too far. We still keep the proper educational aura that Leilehua has. We’re still following the rules. It’s not impeding the learning processes at all. When we come together to break-dance, its not self-destructive, self-defeating, or anti-social. It’s the complete opposite. We grow, get better and make new friends all at the same time, but as dancers. In a small scale, it’s the vision that everyone wants Leilehua High School, as a place, to be. We participate actively in the learning process, we work together cooperatively, and develop an appreciation for cultural and individual differences. Although its not expressed academically, it’s still expressed. We reached the goal, but just in another way, possibly a way that is much more easily comprehended.
I don't know about all the other people I dance with, but I dance because it's another method of expressing myself. When we session, it's like learning new vocabulary words. When we battle, its like taking a test. It's something we do that can help us become better as people. When they take it away, or subdue it, its like subduing a part of us. Now do the administrators want to break up our dance sessions, a session which, in a way, teaches us a value of life that is important when we get older, and is a necessity in real life? It’s another method, but we understand the concept.
If they still want to take precautions, they could at least watch over everyone, to make sure that nothing bad is going to happen, while letting our sessions continue through the limited time we have for lunch. We would like an undisturbed session.
