When it comes to breakdancing, I would not call myself a b-girl. I’m in the suburbs, rather affluent and maybe not in a situation that warrants movement as a way to stay off the streets, in the manner that breaking originated. But nevertheless, I am seeking heartfelt dancing. The kind that rewards and fulfills oneself regardless of how good or comparatively simple it may seem.
In my mind, getting the “flava” is a tricky endeavor. It’s like looking for authentic Mexican food in Antarctica. A little weird, but barely possible. If I am not a part of the OG culture, who am I to contribute to this greater historical tapestry that breaking has to offer? Do I count as a person of color? Does that fact even matter? I see plenty of white people on the scene and I think the skill possessed overrides any racial judgments. Check out the international breaking scene and the diversity is staggering.
To me, “flava” does not just originate from developing one’s style in a vacuum. It comes from observing the culture, respecting OGs, and innovating on the meta. Yes, there are basic blocks constructing a set, but allowing muscle memory and creativity take over is also key. A “bite,” or a plagiarized move, is what I am most afraid of. It means that I am straying further and further from authenticity.
For a long time, and even slightly now, I fear treading on toes. I didn’t wear large hoop earrings for a while because I thought that look would offend other women of color. Cultural appropriation echoes in my mind all the time, as I seek singularity in my appearance and bodily presentation. I now think that behavior was a little too sensitive. I really don’t think anyone cares.
But back to OGs. My mentor showed me a b-boy named Float, who recently passed and without a doubt was an icon. And what stuck with me the most, despite his impressive head spins and fluid footwork to power moves, was that you knew his cipher came from within. Musicality hit hard and his personality materialized in his choices: when to flow, when to strike…
Just like mastery in any activity, I want to reach the point where I have a wide array of choices, and from a birds-eye view, I can manifest with ease, in a voice all my own: a long way to go. Now is not the time to rest.