I understand that there may be a tiny percentage of the population that may associate Belly Dance with Prostitution, but then this same tiny percentage are also supposed to believe that all blonde western women are prostitutes/easy. But come on, how ignorant does he think society is in general. Have you ever noticed that when you travel to the middle east, they always have Belly Dancers put on shows for you? Have you even noticed how in some countries like Turkey for instance daughter are encouraged to learn the art, and they love to show you what they can do! But no, lets focus on the small percentage who think its dirty shall we. *sighs*

Now, I know next to nothing about the dance form itself, but I willing to put money on it, that this form of dance was created because its pleasurable to watch, because scantily clad women making suggestive moves with their hips and shimmying and shaking is a TEASE! I mean I am sure a dance form that involves gyrating and shimmying is in no way related to sex, it must be much more serious and straight laced than that. *tongue in cheek*

In my opinion its associations with sexuality and the female form does not belittle the art form, its a large part of what makes it so exciting to watch and so god damned beautiful, and hey lets face it, some professional dancers wear so very little on their top half anyway, I doubt it really makes that much difference if they take it off to reveal their tassels!

I understand his concerns for dancers in the East who are treated badly by the stupid minority, it is really very sad indeed if this is the case, but does he really think that the addition of burlesque (or not) is going to make any difference to their lives? I doubt it.