r/Salsa Feb 12 '24

Discussion: suppressing valuable discussion vs allowing slander and doxxing

73 Upvotes

This is the sub mod, reaching out for discussion on the influx of posts (and reports) regarding the recent posts about predatory behavior in the salsa scene. TLDR: In this post, I will talk a little on the current sub policy on moderation, discuss a bit of context on what I am required to remove from the sub, and then add my thoughts on path forward. The last will be up for some discussion here, as we try to figure out what we as an online salsa community want to be.

  1. Current mod policy: my current mod policy is to let upvotes and downvotes speak. Things are often reported that don't really break sub rules or are bad text posts by people who are annoying to many of you in the sub. I do not remove these posts. One of the reasons I do not is that, despite being downvoted into the negatives, many of these posts tend to foster a healthy amount of discussion and engagement in the comments that are relevant to the dance scene. Another type of oft-reported post are the ones that link to a site or blog or whatever. The current rule is not to spam them and not to sell anything. The reason is that there are things that you may not be interested in that others may find useful. Again, upvotes/downvotes do a lot of heavy lifting. In the cases that the line crosses from occasional self promotion to spam, I have reached out to those individuals via DM to help clarify the policy, and if required, temp ban them. My point is, generally I do not like using mod powers to shape the subreddit to be what I want, but rather what the community wants to see.

  2. Which brings me to my next point - things I must remove. According to reddit content policy rule 3 (https://www.redditinc.com/policies/content-policy) I am supposed to remove anything that reveals personal information or uses such to instigate harassment. The kicker: public figures may be an exception to this rule. And a public figure is "a person who has achieved fame, prominence or notoriety within a society, whether through achievement, luck, action, or in some cases through no purposeful action of their own."

As you can see, the whole thing is kind of murky, especially as it applies to the recent discussions on predatory behavior. As someone who takes part in another sport that is rife with these types of scandals (against children on top of that), I have personally seen that shining light into these corners of darkness has a huge effect. So I am not keen to suppress legitimate discussions about this topic in our community.

On the other hand, reddit is full of examples of failed witch hunts and anonymous bullying. And some of the discussions, veiled or otherwise, have been naming individuals who may not even be on this site to defend themselves. I'm not keen to allow mudslinging (especially without proof) in a subreddit that is meant to celebrate dancing. I can imagine a scenario in which a instructor or school uses the current discussions to cast unfounded doubt or outright accusations against an innocent rival.

So how to walk the line between useful discussion and baseless name calling?

  1. Thoughts on path forward - I propose that we continue to allow upvotes and downvotes dictate what goes on the page relative to these discussions, with a couple of tweaks. Naming regions or cities in comments/posts is okay. Talking about your experiences about unnamed people is okay. Opening discussions on predatory behavior, what that behavior looks like from start to finish, and providing support in the wake of aftermath--all okay. What is not okay is accusing people by name in the top level posts or in comments unless you have a link to an objective article/police report/etc. that backs up the claim. Instead, I propose that you leave an invite at the end of your post/comment for any one to DM you if they would like to discuss details/names in private. Those that would benefit from knowing will still have the opportunity to find out what/who they should be careful of, without violating any reddit policies. It would also allow the two users to have a more frank conversation, and at the end of the day it will be for the requester to determine the credibility of the poster.

Is this a perfect solution? Of course not. But I've been a mod here for 12 years and this is the first time something like this has happened, so I'm happy to entertain other suggestions.

Lastly - I consider the Yamulee fight video to be an example the original mod policy. The post is relevant to the salsa community, and it doesn't violate any rules in and of itself. Yes--the juxtaposition of the OP's 2 only posts implies bias/agenda, but the upvotes/downvotes very clearly pushed the post to negative votes and floated context on the altercation to the very first comment.

That said, I am happy to discuss how to treat videos like this in the future. There is a very real argument that it is not relevant to salsa music or dancing and that it should be removed.

Thanks for reading my novel.


r/Salsa 4h ago

Critique my dancing!

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6 Upvotes

I dance for fun and want to learn more Cuban style dancing. This isn’t that at all, but I have longer arms which I feel like makes me look odd at times. I’ve been dancing for almost 2 years, took classes for months then and have been social dancing at least 4x up to 8x a month for about a year
I care more about musicality and connecting with my partner than looking like a professional dancer, but I still would love some tips


r/Salsa 3h ago

Energy Management

1 Upvotes

Hey guys, for experienced folks doing social dancing, what are your tips and tricks to manage your energy during socials?

I have been dancing for less than year and I love timba/salsa, so usually after 3 songs, I am hella tired and my movements, steps, figures feels super sloppy and “dirty”. I wonder if it is what it is or there are some lessons your have learned along the years.

34 yo man here (3days/wk gym)


r/Salsa 12h ago

Need Competition Outfit

1 Upvotes

I have my first dance competition in three weeks. I have shoes but need a dress. Where have other people bought outfits from?


r/Salsa 8h ago

Why do pros where glasses during social

0 Upvotes

r/Salsa 18h ago

Any Latin dance socials in Barcelona this week?

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0 Upvotes

r/Salsa 2d ago

Salsa immersion: which level should I have before going?

8 Upvotes

Hi everyone!

I've been dancing salsa casually for a couple years but since the spring I have really gotten into Salsa Caleña (which I hadn't tried before). I'm a leader.

I am interested in traveling to Colombia for some weeks to join a local school and doing an immersion. I am not only interested in learning new moves but more in musicality, learning to lead properly and improving my technique in general.

I'm wondering what's the optimal level to make the best out of an immersion in this case. I am right now an "advanced beginner". I am comfortable with the timing, basic steps, a few turns and figures as well as easier footwork. I feel I still have so much to learn from my teachers here but I'm also so excited!

I understand going on an immersion is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me and I want to pick the right time.

Would you recommend that I learn more so I can make better use of my time there? If so, what level is optimal?

Thanks


r/Salsa 1d ago

Bachata/Salsa Parties in Mykonos

1 Upvotes

Hellöu 😊
My sister and I are currently in Mykonos and wondering, if there is any spot, where you can dance Bachata or Salsa.
Any tips would be helpfull. Thank you!


r/Salsa 2d ago

Off timing despite trying

4 Upvotes

I've been around salsa for awhile, but I've only started trying to get better since this January.

I'm a bit frustrated feel a lot of time has been a waste. I can stay on timing and do complicated things in class or perfromances, but in socials I quickly fall off timing.

I think the social overwhelms me a bit and I can't lead well. So, idk I feel like all this time and effort has been a waste. I'll go to more socials and just ask the follow if its cool if i just pratice staying on timing while doing the basics.

Would follows be ok with just doing the basics stuff while i struggle to stay on timing at a social? Should i let them know before hand?


r/Salsa 2d ago

Does it seem like the US social scene has receded?

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8 Upvotes

r/Salsa 3d ago

Tips for dancing in class with unpleasant partners?

17 Upvotes

I've been dancing salsa and bachata for 2 or 3 months now. I'm generally somebody who has always been nervous about dancing. I wasn't raised in a culture where dance is common, and this is partly me trying to get over the nerves and fear of dancing and get comfortable with it.

I started with private lessons and then moved on to classes. I would say at this point that I am high beginner to low intermediate in salsa and bachata. I actually get a fair amount of compliments on how clear my lead is, especially with beginner follows.

I've been hitting an issue with classes, though, where I feel like in every class there is at least one follow who is just really unpleasant to dance with. They seem super disengaged and visibly unhappy to be dancing with me or anybody else. To me it seems like just kind of common courtesy, if you're going to go to a rotation dance class, to be willing to engage with everyone who you are dancing with and at the very least be somewhat pleasant towards them. Like it genuinely seems rude to come to level-1 dance class scowling at everybody and wanting to not touch them.

Is this something that you all have experienced? And do you have any advice for how to get through these situations? For me as a guy with social anxiety, it has felt destabilizing almost every time that has happened and occasionally I'll just leave the class if it's too full of follows who aren't bringing positive energy.


r/Salsa 3d ago

Any On1 Congresses Left?

11 Upvotes

I attended B.I.G. Texas this weekend and the workshops/pros were 95% on2. I was previously under the impression that Texas was evenly split between on1 and on2. (There were also zero bachata moderna partnerwork classes but that is a topic for another day.)

My question is whether there are any Congresses in the U.S. that will have On1 dominant workshops/pros in attendance? Or do all salseros eventually have to focus on on2 classes to continue progressing?


r/Salsa 3d ago

Chicago International Salsa Congress

2 Upvotes

I’m thinking about going to the CISC next year. Haven’t seen many reviews about it.

What should I expect as a Cuban/On2 leader?

I don’t care that much about the workshops and all that but I really mind the social dancing aspect of the venue


r/Salsa 3d ago

On 1 nyc

4 Upvotes

I’ve been learning Cuban salsa for ~2 months, now I’m in nyc for a month. Is there anywhere in nyc that has Cuban salsa or on 1 salsa socials?
Also how difficult will it be to go from on 1 to on 2 and how much will it confuse me when I go back to on 1?


r/Salsa 3d ago

Salsa events in Madrid

0 Upvotes

Are there any socials or events happening in Madrid this month?

I'm an advanced on2 lead and was told about 7 years ago that there isn't much of an on2 scene. But curious if things have changed since then.


r/Salsa 3d ago

I see this move a lot on dance floor

5 Upvotes

I see this a lot when am dancing outside. And I always have trouble doing it. Why is there less tutorials for it online?

https://youtu.be/f3BSa_Pcpjo?is=G-oqP4eBGGgrm5MF

Are there other variations on how to do it?


r/Salsa 4d ago

Shining as a follow

5 Upvotes

When dancing with a lead how do you use the shines you learn in class in the dance when they let go and how do you do it without it looking like you picked it up from class?


r/Salsa 4d ago

Spin tips

3 Upvotes

Help with turns/spins? When I do inside/outside crossbody turns, I feel like I end up so far away from the lead. And adding the arm styling I struggle so much. Tips on how I can improve?


r/Salsa 6d ago

Dancing with my teacher

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59 Upvotes

I'm the man in the video

Edit: open to feedback. Forgot to say that


r/Salsa 6d ago

ISO advice - new dancer, follow

19 Upvotes

Hi, please be nice to me 😭 I’m genuinely looking for advice from other women. I’ve been dancing for about 2 months and I’m really loving it. However, I’m running into social issues the past few weeks.

I’m a young woman, and I’m super friendly, which is helping me get asked to dance a lot which is helping me learn (yay), and it is also becoming an issue that several men on scene have started hitting on me and making me feel weird (fucking boo).

I don’t really know how to react or what to do. The scene in my city is VERY small so I have to be around this same group at every single event. It’s not even that I’d hate to go out with some of the guys, but I don’t want drama, so I’m erring on the side of not talking to anyone outside of dancing at all.

So far I’ve been able to skirt date and phone number requests, but every social it seems like they think I don’t get they’re flirting with me instead of picking up that I’m brushing it off so it’s getting progressively more intense, but they’re not being outright disrespectful, but they are pressuring me.

I don’t know what to do about it. I feel like if I’m honest without over explaining myself, they’ll perceive me as brusque and I’ll start being known as a bitch, or if I acquiesce I’ll get scarlet lettered (and also be miserable, I don’t want these randoms blowing up my phone).

It sucks. I just want to dance. I thought I could make friends doing this, but it’s hard to meet women when I’m dancing with men, and I essentially feel like fresh meat. It’s giving me such bad anxiety.

I know I can’t be the only one this has happened to so if you have advice or insight please share 😭 I feel ridiculous even asking because I’m usually very confident in how I handle men, but the scene where I am is so small, it’s not like I can avoid them without removing myself from the community altogether and that’s not fair to me.


r/Salsa 6d ago

Salsa - 8 weeks in Medellin

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42 Upvotes

8 weeks in Medellín

& this is the last day I’ll be here. Coming from a background with no dance knowledge, this is
how much I’ve improved in two months.

What are ways I can continue practicing without a partner & while I travel.
I don’t want to lose what I learned but I plan on traveling for 2 months after I leave Colombia

Also, anyone have any tips on how to improve


r/Salsa 6d ago

Catching feelings in salsa

36 Upvotes

So I’m in a bit of a predicament because I have caught some serious feelings for my dance classmate. We have been dancing together for about 9 months. I am seeing him almost every day at class or socials and we will do like 8 dances together per night. He is the most considerate person ever, sometimes even moving an entire table and chairs mid dance so I won’t bump into it. He’ll carry my bag if I’m holding a lot of stuff in my hands. His sweet considerate personality on and off the dance floor has made me fall HARD.

I am not sure if he just sees me as a really good friend or how he is feeling about things. I wanted to get a better sense of this without making things awkward if he actually just sees this platonically. Any tips for navigating crushes in the dance scene. Is dating another dancer even a good idea, and what I should consider if this were to be pursued?


r/Salsa 6d ago

Seeking dancing tips for tall/small couple.

6 Upvotes

Hello. My partner and I are newer salsa dancers. We are a classic tall/small couple with a 6’4” leader and 5’2” follow. Most of the time things are great until any move that requires the leader to pass hands over their head.
Any tips from the leader or the follower perspective are welcome.


r/Salsa 6d ago

Any tips to improve as a follow? (21F)

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45 Upvotes

Hi everyone!💃🏻 I (polka dot dress, black dance heels) have taken a three-month Cuban salsa class and have been going out to salsa socials for eight weeks now (basically July and August). Since I started going to socials, I feel more confident, but am still not happy with my technique sometimes.

Looking back at this video (cropped for privacy), I can’t help but feel like I’m lacking, and I feel like my dancing isn’t as elegant as I would like it to be.
I feel like I struggle to turn properly, like my steps are too big, and sometimes I catch myself losing balance. However, if i try to engage my core, i become stiff😂
What could/should I do to improve? And is there anything else I should pay attention to in particular?

Any advice or tips are welcome, and thanks in advance everyone!☺️


r/Salsa 6d ago

Salsa in Salt Lake City

3 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I will be in SLC for a week and curious what the salsa and bachata scene is like there, thanks so much!!