Dan Land KICKIN BACK
Often, I kick back and enjoy the steppers culture because I predicted long ago what quickly transformed into a reality. Steppin taking its rightful place next to Jazz, The Blues, R&B, Soul, Gospel and Rapp, including why it belong in the same class.
I never predicted the transition would be without conflict or controversy nor did I speculate the constant differences between new school and old school. I mean who would think boppers, walkers and steppers, three apects of the same dance form arguing about the same African American experience and history. Impossible huh? It would seem that the dance would be the primary topic with all the titles, counts, beats and other confusing factors. Unfortunately, there are always those chosen few with that big I or me, separating oneself as an individual who just can't seem to flip that I or me over into a we, keeping up a whole lot of mess though if bigger than steppin, constantly arguing the history and the experience, but never validating the fact that the history and experience of steppin are one in the same. A lifestyle passed on through several generations.
However, steppin always prevail, especially through collective efforts of an entire culture, continuing its process of evolution with more and more writers, filmmakers, poets, dancers and people from all walks of life stepping into its domain, bringing clarity to the situation, enabling Steppin to reach higher levels, demanding quality from new schoolers and old schoolers alike, also demanding that all participants regardless of generation demonstrate love, respect and devotion for the steppin culture by organizing, governing and monitoring the art of steppin with the guarantee that it will be passed on to future generations at its full potential without further chaos, confusion or malice, taking its rightful place and remaining in that place in the future and throughout the history of African American culture.
Meanwhile, I kick back enjoying the steppers culture, doing my part as an individual and visionary as always but with the same vision hopes dreams and wishes that I initially adopted from all those wonderful generations before me. Wondering what I could do next with respect to a collective group to further contribute to the development and preservation of the art of steppin.
Maybe I will unite with a few heavy hitters and establish a steppers league or maybe I will continue to pioneer, innovate, create, design and promote. Maybe I will continue to step in my living room with my wife and friends and load a few clips on youtube. My questions are many as I kick back enjoying the steppers culture, knowing whatever I do as an individual or group. It will and shall always be for the love and integrity of this dance which is why it is so joyful to kick back watching it grow regardless of adversity just like I projected it would many many years ago.
Peace my Steppers
Who? The Webmaster! Dan Land. ©article August 5, 2007
Written By: Daniel Land
Kickin Back with some Classic Dan's Warm Ups
There are several reasons why they call me the Webmaster. PEACE my Steppers.
