TED 36 | Male privilege and an insight into threats in the SBK scene with Cameron Holden

The Empowered Dancers Podcast

Raised to be aware of your privilege as a man in the SBK scene is not something many men can reflectively say. Cameron Holden gives us a look at the salsa, bachata and kizomba scene through a self-aware lens - the male privilege that is present and prevalent in our scene - from the attitude towards teaching followers (who are women in the majority), to the way in which some men in positions of power (this includes leading) take advantage of women, to the threats and “bros club” culture that exists in our scene, Cameron offers a perspective that we should all take the time to hear, reflect on and learn from.
What to expect in this episode:
(01:04) Leaving the army, joining the dance community
(02:24) Raised to understand male privilege
(06:13) Seeing male privilege in the dance scene
(09:47) Teachers: A duty of care to teach etiquette
(11:47) Examples of misogyny in the scene
(16:47) What needs to change? Let’s talk about solo women teachers
(17:55) The “old boys” club - speaking up and being threatened as a result: Cameron’s experience
(23:03) A brick wall: This is why we don’t hear so many reports on the dance scene
(26:25) We NEED to see more accountability
(28:35) It’s not a rise in assault and similar crimes, its a rise in reporting
About Cameron Holden
Cameron Holden is a passionate bachata salsa and urban kiz dancer, and a teacher of salsa, bachata and a certified role-rotation teacher. Activist for equality and woman's safety within the dance scene, Cameron uses his voice to call out bad behaviour and the deep-running misogyny in the SBK scene. He promotes awareness of the risks to women’s safety in the dance scene and also to call on us all to do better. Beyond dancing, Cameron is a veteran of the Afghanistan conflict, he is an educator, teaching engineers on apprenticeships and he also enjoys writing poetry.
Connect with Cameron Holden
https://www.instagram.com/gu_salsa?igsh=MTRndXV0ZDA0bzRpZw==
Episode Mentions:
Safer Dance Spaces: https://www.instagram.com/saferdancespaces/
Hear Sindi’s story: https://www.instagram.com/p/DEDepUbi6iv/?hl=en
About Bobbie Miles:
Bobbie Miles is a social dancer and empowerment coach in the salsa, bachata, and kizomba scene. Dancing is a happy place for Bobbie, as it is for so many. In order to foster safer dance spaces for all dancers, Bobbie is on a mission to promote more accountability and responsibility surrounding boundaries, consent and safety within the community through education and conversations that matter. Bobbie is a coach and advocate for speaking up, boundary setting, and promoting respect in the dance scene. Through The Empowered Dancers Podcast, she promotes transparency, understanding, and accountability and as a coach and public speaker, she focuses on boundary setting and respect in practice, both on and off the dance floor.
Resources:
Download my 5 Top Tips to boost your confidence on any dance night! https://empowereddancers.com/5tips
Practice saying NO on the dance floor: empowereddancers.com/no
Connect with Bobbie Miles
Follow me on Instagram @theempowereddancerspodcast
https://www.instagram.com/theempowereddancerspodcast
Find me on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/bobbiemilesbailadora
Subscribe to my YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCA8pcAq9lXttVf9w9lDb1bQ?sub_confirmation=1