Life is difficult and chaotic at times, so sometimes you just want to dance it off. Kevin Bacon was onto something in Footloose. This is what a group of line dancers peacefully wanted to do as a way to have fun at the recent Boots on the Ground Line Dance Competition event. However, their idea of an enjoyable time never came to fruition. The reason? Probably because Florida officials had an issue with Black people having harmless fun.
The event was supposed to take place at the Flagler County Fairgrounds in Daytona Beach over the weekend, according to Atlanta Black Star. However, approximately 24 hours before the event was supposed to kick off, it was abruptly shut down. Instead of a night of fun, line dancers arrived to find a sheriff’s deputy posted at the entrance. Sheriff Rick Staly cited concerns of “public safety risks” as the reason behind the rejection. He claimed, “I see absolutely NO benefit to the residents and taxpayers of Flagler County; but I do see significant liability and the possibility of a serious incident occurring.”
Staly pointed out his reasons for this stem from misrepresentation by former rapper Troy Reddin, who organized the event. Claims were made that he promoted the event online as a family-friendly dance competition. However, word got out that there would be trail rides, vendors, and alcohol sales, and apparently, upwards of thousands of people in attendance. You know, the normal activities and choice of drink at any town fair.
Staly went on to say that his major concerns were metal detectors and rioting. Why would Staly outright state that metal detectors were one of the biggest concerns? Is he concerned that people would get out of control? It’s line dancing; it isn’t that deep. What he believed were valid ‘concerns’ are actually starting to sound a bit racist to my ears. Staly went on to defend himself, “You would only state ‘no metal detectors on site’ IF you know or believe that it is very likely your attendees will be carrying weapons, specifically firearms.”
Now, the line dancers won’t be able to have a good time and vendors are out of money, believing they would have a full weekend of sales. Staly came at organizer Troy Reddin, citing his own past and making him feel guilty for it. In the letter that Staly wrote about his concerns over the event, he made notes that Reddin once starred in videos that involved “guns, gangs, illegal narcotics, sex, and fast cash.” Reddin’s response to this entire debacle? “I did everything by the book. They asked for all the public precaution because it’s Black culture – and I did all of it.”
Responses both disappointed and angry have piled up following the cancellation, and clearly for good reason. One person stated, “Declared illegal? Boy… the Karens sure know how to put the kibosh on any thing fun. Smh.” Another person proclaimed, “Dear Black ppl, dance anyway.” And they’re right. All of this would be normal at a fair with predominantly White crowd. It’s just hate, plain and simple.
