The next video shows a style of perreo dancing known as "El Choque" named for the way the two partners' bodies "crash" or "shock" each other.
We see a big difference between what is considered the music and dance of yesterday versus the music of today's youth. A phenomenon I have noticed is that as Latin Americans get older, they begin to accept and welcome "classier" styles of music and dance such as Salsa or Bachata and in the process let go of more vulgar dances that have come up since the 1990s known under the umbrella term "perreo". Nevertheless, there is a large disparity in the style of these dances. Both of these dances (the left silhouette being a salsa move and the lower right perreo), existed in their original forms in Puerto Rico only later to be transformed by Colombians. Here we have two forms of dance known in the first video as "Salsa Cali Style" and in the second as "el Choque". The first style of dance took the Puerto Rican form of Salsa dancing (arguably also Cuban) and added much more footwork, speed and intricacy to the leg movements. There is a distinct beat that both partners dancing Cali-Style must understand, and it is not the same rhythm that is followed when one is dancing to Salsa on the more traditional side.
Then we have the controversial baile Choque (or shock dance, baile choke etc). This form of perreo took the infamy of Puerto Rican perreo (pardon the sound quality and vulgarity) and added a more aggressive pelvic thrust. The idea to make perreo even more controversial in the eyes of adults is apparent and we also see less intricacy in the new dance. The beat of the shock dance is much easier to follow and the female does not lead either. There is more movement and footwork in el Choque as opposed to Puerto Rican perreo, but this does not match the level of footwork in Cali Style Salsa and the main objective of these newer dances seems to be vulgarity and rebellion. 
What is important to note, however, is that Salsa and Bachata (in their early stages) were once in a similar position as perreo and el Choque. People of higher socioeconomic status viewed these dances as corruptions of traditional (more European or simply older) forms of dancing more in line with Tango (the silhouette on the left depicts another example of a stance in Salsa or Bachata dancing). Bachata was confined to the lower classes until, like many forms of music, upper class (or) mainstream society realized it was more enjoyable. While I disagree that el Choque is more enjoyable, more intricate, or even a level up from perreo dancing, I can understand what the students in Colombia who created the dance were seeking, mainly, excitement. El Choque dance was even able to make the news multiple times and garnered enough attention to be worthy of a discussion.Some youtube videos and comments point out that the new Choque dance is degrading for women and should not exist as a respectable dance. Relative to other popular dances across South America such as Bachata, Salsa and Merengue, I agree that this is true. However, vulgarity in Latin American dances is nothing foreign. In Brazil another dance known as "Surra De Bunda" has recently gained viral popularity and demonstrates that the limits of acceptable dance can always be pushed farther. While I think Surra de Bunda should be confined to strip clubs, what about the parents who must watch youtube videos where females doing el Choque are told to stick out their tongues? Well, those parents lose voice when there are an equal amount of youtube videos where parents are actually teaching their kids how to do the dance!
While I agree that el Choque is not a respectable dance, I think it is meant to be for fun. I feel as though people jump to many conclusions when they see these dances and they think instantly that sex is what happens afterwards. Dances, especially on youtube, are just dances. It is up to the influence of parents and the individual to teach the right decisions at the right age and there is no need for the level of negative comments the girls in these videos are receiving. People comment that these dances have long lasting negative effects on society and this I must also debate. I think that el Choque demonstrates that the inappropriateness of these dances is entirely relative. When perreo came to my attention in the late 90s, my parents believed that it would lead to rape and unprotected sex. Yet, I must admit, nothing changed. We danced to it, enjoyed it, yet at the end of the night decisions were up to the individual. Just reading the comments on youtube where people consider perreo better or less degrading then el Choque are merely proving my point that the views on these dance styles are all relative. If the purpose of these dances was to rebel and gain attention, then I think these inventors got what they were seeking.
Yes I am commenting while in class. I absolutely loved the post and the videos. It was hilarious. I think that dancing is expression and I support these women and the way that they empower themselves.
ReplyDeleteIt is our nature as young adults to want to push boundaries and do what has never been done before. The shock factor gets attention, and that's really what everyone is after, isn't it? I see dancing as taking on a character in the heat of the moment, not necessarily "expressing how we feel" or the kind of person that we are. I feel that judgments should not be passed on on the art of dance because it's really just another form of entertainment.
ReplyDeleteThank you for writing an article that deviates so substantially from the typical murmurs and poetic waxing of this candidate, that proposition, or the all-important social issue. It is amazing when something as simple as dance becomes an political issue and is assaulted by the media firestorm that is all too excited to denounce anything new. Of course, it is expected that older generations have a difficult time adjusting to a style of movement that probably would have earned them a stay in the closest jail for public indecency. However, that is simply the progressive nature of life. For instance, in the late 1800s it would have been blasphemy for a woman to show a “bare ankle” or for her dress not to drag along the much less sanitary floors and sidewalks of the past. This is contrasted nicely today in swimwear; growing up in Orange County I quickly realized that anybody deviating from the skimpy one-piece or newest board shorts would be publicly chastised– it has now become “unacceptable” to wear a one-piece if you are over the age of 10 or a shirt in the water if you are of any age. Although the example is obscure, the point still remains that as time progresses the outlawed practices of the past typically become socially acceptable.
ReplyDeleteOn that note, however, I do find the future troubling. What dances could the youngest generation come up with by the time they reach their teenage years? And their kids? In any case, I’m sure that this is what the leather-jacketed males and poodle-skirted females reminiscent of 1950s America envisioned when contemplating the future. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
Thanks for an eloquent an educating post.
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