So I'm not sure why you felt it necessary to post it here? Do you see yourself as being part of a solution.. or perhaps as part of the problem?

Dear Shira,
I used to be a thin, young, lovely dancer. Now I am an overweight, older, but still lovely dancer. I have had to learn to do a lot different costuming with the weight gain, saggy skin, etc. I think the problem is not so much that she is overweight as it is that she does not know how to costume for her body flaws, which we all should do it we are trying to put our best foot forward. Even thinner dancers have flaws to hide. She has that lovely, sweet face and then she does not even try to costume in an appropriate way, so people probably do not notice it. THAT is what I find sad, along with the fact that her teacher never took the time to help her with costuming that wou;d be more appro[riate to her size.
Rsgards,
A'isha

I would agree with you - I feel it is unfortunate that people may be using this photo as a (lame) attempt at humor. As someone who is no longer as thin as I used to be and who started dancing after the weight gain, I understand completely what it takes to get up in front of people and not feel at your perfect best of what society thinks "this is a belly dancer". I don't think most of society can be educated to realize that one does not need to be a size 0 or 2 in order to be a good belly dancer. I have seen, met, and become friends with some bb/plus sized dancers who are absolutely amazing and blow me away with their talent. If I knew the dancer, I would personally make her aware of it to determine if she knew about it

I think she's lovely....her costume could have had some draping or maybe a power mesh cover if that would make her more comfortable....But women come in all weights,shapes and sizes and being happy with who you are is more important than a dress size..... I think that the comments made were cruel....

im all for concern for someone's health and (depending on the person's personality) tough love, but there is a big difference between that and what is going on in those links.
perhaps one can take solace in the fact that the people posting the hurtful comments are likely very sad and discontent with themselves. for me it just makes it more depressing tho

This dancer has a lovely face and smile, and the color looks good on her.

If my picture was used like this, I'd like to know about it. I have pretty thick skin, I can usually laugh at myself, but I'd like to know.

The kind of person who posts nasty, anonymous comments on a public board is not the kind of person worth worrying about.

I didn't read all the comments, but I was glad to see a number of comments that were quite supportive of this dancer.

And yeah, if she submitted it herself, then more power to her.

Years ago, a popular singing telegram in this area was a 350+ lb belly dancer. She was able to dance - but she also did stuff I found unappealing, like grabbing men by their ears and rubbing their face in her chest.

I think its very cruel to ridicule her that way. If I saw something like that and I knew who it was, I would definitely want to tell the person in question. Its terrible that people think posting hateful comments about a lovely woman is funny.

ya know... as dancers, we put ourselves out there whether we are good or not, fat or not, cabaret or not, and with that exposure comes all kinds of reactions from the extremely positive to the extremely negative. We have to develop a thick skin because people are always going to be people and often they can be cruel. I sometimes wonder if my picture isn't out there on one of those childish sites and I know it would hurt if it was but I put myself out here as a public dancer so I know that not everyone is going to like what they see.

Since it is not known if the dancer herself put the picture up on those sites (although I can't imagine why she would), I would just add a positive comment if you feel it necessary.

as far as being a community of dancers.... I always try to help newbies who are heavier learn how to make or buy costuming that is flattering to their unique figures... I also help them modify moves to suit their bodies better (if necessary) and most of all I support every effort they make to make the dance their own. I encourage them to take classes and not to worry about what other folks in class look like (cuz really, the smaller folks should be just as concerned about what the teacher is teaching and not about the size of the new girl).

Pretty girl, pretty costume, quite probably wearing a troupe costume. Seems to be happy to be dancing, go her. The unfortunate fact is that anything done in public is fair game for someone with a camera/video camera. Yes, I think a positive response when coming across sites like this is a good thing. No, I would not be happy if this girl was my daughter and she was the subject of this thread here in Shira's tribe.

First, I get positively incensed at how in America anyone over a size zero is stigmatized. I have seen so many beautiful women in my classes who were ashamed of their stomachs because they are a little meaty--but that's the source of life and a woman's power. I try to convey to them a greater appreciation for their form...I've been skinnier and heavier than I am now so I know both ends of this spectrum and the feelings associated with both.

A troupe I know got into an argument over something similar...a very wonderful dancer was passed over for a bellygram in favor of someone who was thin. Ok-John Q. Public can get what he wants if he pays--I get that. But, when did our society get to the point where the whole "thin is in" mentality became "thinner is better". (shakin' my head here)?

The women in those photos must have known she'd be photographed. If SHE is ok with her costuming then it's nobody else's business in my opinion. I applaud heavy women who get up and dance. Could there have been a more appropriate costuming option? Sure. If SHE wanted it. But, in this picture I see none of the shame/anxiety that a lot of more voluptuous women have when they think they may have to "bare all" as to their figure. She seems happy. Enough said.

In the 10 years I've been involved in this dance I can say positively that some of the BEST dancers I've ever seen were heavier. And, some of the very worst were beautiful and skinny by American standards.

Ok-stepping off my soapbox now! (grins!)

ZD

I think this is sad a well. She is a beautiful dancer. I applaud her. I tend to be more covered when I dance than any other time. My husband has at times bugged me enough that I do have a few costumes that don't cover as much but I don't wear them much but I would like to. She looks so confident and happy like I would like to feel in my costumes. I think it is wonderful. I don't think large dancers or for that matter any dancers of any size or age should have to feel bad about our looks it should be about the dance.