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The tenuous link between breaking / b-boying and conflict resolution

Posted on November 11, 2009 by

Kings of NY Battle - 15

For an upcoming workshop at Global Kids, I've been doing some investigation into the links between conflict resolution and breaking / b-boying.  The evidence that I've seen is very thin and unsubstantiated at this point, largely based on a few period dancer's recollections and assertions. 

Here's some theories:

  • B-boy Trac-2 in an NPR interview maintained that back in the day, gangs would send in their respective leaders to battle on the dancefloor to settle their differences.  There are no specific accounts that I can find of where this actually occurred however.  Others maintain that dance battles might set off fights between gangs.
  • Another theory is that b-boying was an alternative to gangs, enabling young people to get respect among their peers for something non-violent.  For a lucky few, it became (at least temporarily) a means of making money and getting fame beyond their neighborhood.
  • As breaking emerged as an international phenomenon (as documented in the film "Planet B-Boy"), it has become a way for youth from around the world to connect with each other through a common pursuit.
  • Finally, on a more psychological level, breaking is a way of releasing negative energy into a more positive pursuit.

If anyone has anything more substantial, I would love to see it.

1 thought on “The tenuous link between breaking / b-boying and conflict resolution”

  1. fer says:
    November 13, 2009 at 4:58 am

    Hello
    Hey b-boying is my favorite.I also like Popping and Locking.You have given good theories about it.You have well written that breaking is a way of releasing negative energy into a more positive pursuit.I like it.Thank you.

    Reply

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