"Portrayal of American Imperialism Unveiled in Puerto Rico Dance Halls"
In the vibrant world of ballroom culture, a recent event, the "Read Your Mode", showcased a blend of tradition, activism, and innovation. The event, held in Puerto Rico, celebrated the history of the Puerto Rican diaspora and paid tribute to the early days of ballroom, as seen in the Kiki Ball del Palabreo.
The Kiki Ball del Palabreo, with its opening Kikitorio, delved into the role of Puerto Rican transgender ancestors in shaping the ballroom subculture. This was followed by a series of categories, each serving as a prompt for artists to prepare for the event. One such category was "face", which focused on anti-colonial drag.
TRE, a member of the House of G, took the stage and selected someone from the crowd to participate in a game known as "Read Your Mode". This game, common in ballroom culture, involves someone's flaw being exaggerated and an insult being thrown. Another key aspect of ballroom culture is "shade", which is related to reading but takes an indirect form.
The event, however, also revealed tensions between the ballroom scenes in Puerto Rico and New York. Mother G, TRE's mother in the ballroom world, called for less English to be used in readings, a move that was met with controversy. This call echoed sentiments expressed by Afro-Boricuas, who shared anecdotes about their English accents and Puerto Rican Spanish becoming subjects of discord rather than celebration.
The Puerto Rican ballroom scene has been vocal about criticising the enduring effects of American colonialism and the federal government's inadequate response to Hurricane Maria. This anti-colonialist sentiment was reflected in the ballroom artists, who integrated anti-colonialist themes into their ballroom categories.
The event was not without its historical references. Felix Rodriguez, a digital archivist and historian of the ballroom scene, mentioned that in the early days of ballroom, newcomers from Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic arriving in New York were often called "chacha" to mock their Spanish.
Despite these tensions, the event was a testament to the resilience and creativity of the ballroom community. A black queen on the podium held a baseball bat and displayed the words "El Futuro", symbolising the future that needs to be overturned. The event closed with the Kiki Ball del Palabreo, reminding everyone of the rich history and culture that the ballroom scene represents.
The event, held in the unique territorial status of Puerto Rico as an unincorporated Commonwealth of the United States, known as the "Estado Libre Asociado", served as a powerful reminder of the struggles and triumphs of the ballroom community and the Puerto Rican diaspora.
Read also:
- Impact of Alcohol on the Human Body: Nine Aspects of Health Alteration Due to Alcohol Consumption
- Understanding the Concept of Obesity
- Tough choices on August 13, 2025 for those born under Aquarius? Consider the advantages and disadvantages to gain guidance
- Microbiome's Impact on Emotional States, Judgement, and Mental Health Conditions
