Let them dance!

Recently, I've had the opportunity to observe several exceptionally adorable black children sponatneously dancing. This is not organized dance class. This is a child hearing music and physicalizing it, externalizing it, if you will. Why don't I see as many white kids sponaneously dancing? I'm not sure entirely, but this is what I think - it's this simple - the black kids are encouraged to dance. When they dance, their parents don't say (in that kind of scary, baby voice), "Are you being silly?" or "You're a silly goose!" Their parents actually join in! Now, I don't think that the parents that associate kids' dances with being a silly goose intend to discourage dancing. I just think that they aren't comfortable dancing themselves so rather than join in, they make a socially-acceptable comment. However, I'm wondering if this isn't a sad social norm. At a certain age, a child starts to think that maybe being a "silly goose" isn't the best thing in the world and that in order to "grow up," they must stop dancing. But, in the African-American community, it's different. It is good, natural, encouraged and they most likely learn by imitation (although I think there is a great deal of innate rhythm born into all children). I am going to do my very best never to call a child a "silly goose" ever again.
Dance on!!