DARE TO ASK: When it comes to dancing, white people seem to have missed the beat

By PHILLIP MILANO, The Times-Union

Question

I've noticed white people don't have rhythm when it comes to dancing. Why is this?

Janice, 22, Atlanta

Replies

I've seen black toddlers two-stepping to hip-hop six months after learning to walk. The parents encourage it. Black people get introduced to rhythmic dancing at an early age.

Eric, 29, white, Kansas City, Mo.

White boys tend to find interest in music that doesn't have [good] beats so it's really hard to dance to. Try doing a Kid 'N Play to Metallica. Now, if you're a white boy like me who listens to all types of music, we can bump an' grind with all the beautiful sisters.

J.B., 23, Bridgeton, N.J.

Most white people seem to move to the 1 and 3 beats rather than the more rhythmically pleasing 2 and 4 beats.

Heidi, 32, white, Durham, N.C.

White kids never watch BET. Where are they going to learn to dance?

Kira, black female, Willingboro, N.J.

Eminem can dance to rap, but I bet you he couldn't line dance. It's not what a certain race can or can't do but what the individual can or can't.

Anna, 17, white, Memphis, Tenn.

White guys dance because: 1) the woman wants to, 2) to get close to a woman, or 3) to get in bed with a woman. They don't sit around and watch MTV for the latest dance moves.

Brad, 22, Asian, Madison, Wis.

It's more acceptable in the African-American community for people to take risks in making themselves look stupid. So dancing is more easily passed from one generation to the next.

Jessica, 18, white, Chicago

Maybe white people are less self-conscious or get drunker quicker, so they dance even if they know they're no good.

Milly, white, London

Expert says

We put this one to exceedingly white dancing phenom Wade Robson, creator of MTV's amateur dance contest show The Wade Robson Project and choreographer for Britney Spears, 'N Sync, Usher, Mya and others.

"I guess like other traits, race has nothing to do with it at the core," he said, missing nary a beat. "It depends on what you grow up listening to and watching."

But this guy has taught thousands to shake it and kick it, so allow him his generalizations:

"I find black people have more of a natural funk and feeling and vibe, but that they have more trouble picking up the steps, and vice versa [for white people]. ... Culturally speaking, black people tend more to grow up watching movies, videos, going to clubs with friends, and it's more about improvisation. White people tend to put their kids in classes early on -- ballet, jazz, etc. -- so they tend to be more technically driven."

And what exactly makes a good dancer, anyway?

"It's not about cockiness, it's about a carefee feeling," Robson said. "I've seen dorky white dudes get up and don't care and have a blast. Maybe they're not the funkiest on the block, but they let their passion come through. You can be technically great, but if you're inhibited, you'll look dorkier than someone who doesn't have talent but doesn't care."

Phillip Milano, author of I Can't Believe You Asked That! (Perigee), moderates cross-cultural dialogue at Y? The National Forum on People's Differences. Visit www.yforum.com to submit questions and answers, or mail to Phillip Milano, c/o The Florida Times-Union, P.O. Box 1949, Jacksonville, FL 32231. Include contact information.