Posted on 06/04/2002 4:54:40 PM PDT by blam
Schools ban Los Angeles gang victory dance for fear of violence
By Oliver Poole in Los Angeles
(Filed: 05/06/2002)
Los Angeles inner city schools have banned a new dance craze because it derives from a celebration performed by a ruthless local street gang after the killing of their victims.
The C-Walk, in which dancers perform a complex series of steps on tiptoe to hip hop or rap music, is named after the Crips, the gang whose bloody battle with the rival Bloods gang for control of the crack cocaine trade has plagued the city for decades.
School administrators fear that it could incite violence if students who do not appreciate its origins are seen carrying out the dance steps by people linked to the Bloods. "The Crip Walk is a no-no," said Isaac Hammond, principal of Crenshaw High School. "We tell students you might be somewhere doing that dance and it could end your life or get you seriously hurt."
The city's police force says the dance developed from a victory dance performed by gang members in which they would trace the name of the organisation on the ground through the dance steps.
But it has been taken up by rappers who have used the dance on stage and in their music videos. Snoop Dog, a rapper and former member of the Crips, used it first, and Lil' Bow Wow, a rapper who has already had a number of hits at the age of 15, took it up despite denying gang involvement.
American footballers started using it to celebrate touchdowns and teenagers across the country began perfecting the steps to mimic their music and sports idols.
The ban, which extends to school playgrounds and end of year prom nights, has angered many of the students who say teachers have over-reacted to what is just the latest fad in youth culture.
"Just because you do the dance does not mean you are in a gang," said Charles Allen, 18. "We may not be able to dance it at the prom, but there will be a lot of people doing the C-Walk at after prom parties."
As I recall, he is not a "former" member.
Don't know what is going on. I tried to link again with the same result.(?) May be problems at The Telegraph?
If you want on (or off) of my black conservative ping list, please let me know via FREEPmail. (And no, you don't have to be black to be on the list!)
He was never truly a member at all. But the notion that he was/is boosts record sales.
Don Myers F RTR List.
dont matter HEs a DEAD issue lol
I've never seen this dance but I guess the school can outlaw it if they feel a need to.
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