Two weeks ago I said to my niece, “Shanice if you ever need a hug, go to a steppers set or class.” My point is, steppers are very social and friendly. Everyone shows love and expects love in return. If you focus on the right things, it’s one of the best environments for you to be you. At the start of my 2017 Midwest tour, I have met tons of new people in Chicago, Indianapolis, and Detroit. Maybe this article is more a point of record for me but I will share my thoughts.
In the steppin’ community, I have met people that I know I would not have met anywhere else. I intentionally sought out and traveled to meet some people to learn from them – LC Henderson, Andre Blackwell, and Westside Mike to name a few. They have all told me things I will not forget. For most these are names you know, legends and masters in the steppin’ community that successfully made a name for themselves and an impression that resounds with many steppers.
As a stepper, you can make a name for yourself through dance, fashion, your attitude, or whatever you choose no matter your age or where you are from. As easily as you build that reputation and impression are as easy as it can be destroyed. Now, you can pretend to be someone you are not. You can try, but your true colors will shine through eventually so my best words here are to be you. In every social scene, there are people that want to see something negative and make it their business to surely tell many other people about it. Those with nothing kind to say fight desperately to be credible and can be downright pettifogging.
Five things I take away from this moment
- Be social and check the attitude at the door. Remember dancing can take away the worries of the world. Stress, grievance and worry is not what this dance is about. Just by sitting in a room you make an impression. You don’t have to say a word. Say hello, smile, be engaging. Be open and let others get to know who you are. Meet new people.
- Be consistent and honest in all you do. When anyone has something negative to say let your actions speak volumes to others about who you really are. Without even uttering a word, you can let people doubt the negative and let the naysayers look incredibly foolish.
- Be direct. Tell others how you really feel. There are many words in the English dictionary and you can find a way to express yourself. I didn’t witness what happened on the weekend, but I truly respect how candid Ed Donaldson is on social media about the good, the bad and the indifferent. Some can’t handle his Facebook posts but I haven’t had a long conversation face to face with him but I know what to expect.
- Listen. You aren’t the only one that has an opinion or something to say. This is how we learn from each other.
- Don’t impose your attitudes and beliefs on anyone else. As long as you aren’t threatened or made uncomfortable, respect people’s differences. Live and let live and for those that can’t respect your differences, keep them at a comfortable, likeable distance.
I believe when there isn’t another breath from your lungs, people will remember how you treated them and how you made them feel.
Acknowledgments: LC Henderson, Andre Blackwell, Michael Bush, Ed Donaldson, Shanice Stewart
Remember to join our Facebook group: livingthe8count.com, A Chicago Style Steppin Community
