Antoine “Tony” Butler’s daily questions on Facebook have stimulated controversy, nostalgic walks down memory lane for some and for me, thought provoking conversation and information sharing. Tony you have caused quite a stir on social media with your questions and I’m curious what happened, what is your motive and where do you think this will take us as a community? You have stirred up some contentious conversation on Facebook and everyone is engaged and participating in some way. It appears from the comments that some steppers are glad you opened a new door to let us say what’s really on our mind collectively, while others wish you would just go back to doing what you were doing without the questions. Let’s talk – real talk!
1. What made you start your Facebook questions about the steppin’ community and when did you start these questions?
For years people have been talking bout the B.S. on the steppers set, but no one ever addressed it and the same people continue to kill the steppers’ groove. I started this in June 2017 after a few of my friends decided not to step anymore because of the drama.
2. How and where do you come up with these questions?
The questions come from the people and me when one pops in my head. I try to put it out there uncut and without calling out people.
3. Do you get many in box responses on questions instead of people posting on your timeline?
I get phone calls and many in box questions. I have conversations with people I bump into at different steppin’ sets and people post on my timeline.
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6. What is your response to readers that think you’re only stirring up negative ideas instead of providing solutions to the problems?
The negativity has been there. The people that think I’m stirring up or telling what’s really going on are the main ones people are talking about. The reason I’m putting this out there is so we can come to a common ground.
7. Is there a question you considered asking but didn’t ask and why?
A few. I want to call out some instructors by name who told me: “When you teach just give them a little so they can keep coming back. Keep taking their money.” I had another heavy hitter tell me: “When I teach privates, I throw them off in the dance to make them look really bad and then say they need more lessons.” I’m not going to put that out there because the people are the victims and I don’t want them to feel some kinda of way.
8. Which of your questions were you most surprised about the comments?
All the responses from the question “Were some steppers cliquish and arrogant?”
9. How long are you going to keep doing this?
Until I just get tired of listening to people lie or I just get tired.
10. What do you think will be the positive or negative outcome of these conversations?
The negative is already out there about why I’m doing this, but I’m getting more positive than negative. The people with the negative issues only instant message me because they don’t want to be put on front street.
The positive part is that I woke up a lot of people who were getting bamboozled, and the questions and comments also give people a lot of information on the history of dancers – like who are the crowd favorites and places to go and dance.
Tony, you are a honest and candid voice in our stepping community. Thank you for encouraging us to talk to each other about what is really on our minds. I enjoy this new transparency. Readers, if you aren’t a part of the conversation already, find and follow Tony on Facebook – Tony Antoine Butler.
