Thursday, February 21, 2013

What do people in Harlem feel about white swimmers doing the "Harlem Shake?"

The most obvious aspect of the "Harlem Shake" videos was lost on me since I was wrapped up in the Lowenthal drowning. The Harlem Shake videos are are mocking a culture and more likely an ethnic group.

"That's not the Harlem Shake, That's not the Harlem Shake at all. That's humping and that's not the Harlem Shake, it ain't no Harlem..." 
"I feel like they are trying to disrespect us...." 
"It's making us look bad, it's an absolute mockery of what it was..."
"Yeah, it looks like they are making fun of it..." 
"An injustice..." 
"They are basically taking what we do, our dances, and making a joke of it..."
"Nobody in Harlem would do that..." 
"Do you know the history of Harlem?..."


3 comments:

Mark Rauterkus said...

Great research. What examples were being shown?

Tony Austin said...

The norwegian army got the most views with 36-million.

Coming in at number two was the UGA Men's Swim & Dive Harlem Shake with 26-million.

My presumption is that they showed the most popular version or versions and I suspect, and I can't confirm, that they were shown the UGA video. Here is why...

In the posted Youtube of the Harlem locals being interviewed The women at the 54-second mark said they "dry humping air." in the 1:42 a local notes: "...he is humping his man"

Going back to the UGA video, the intro displays "humping" for it's long intro.

I also went with the premise that to get a stir they would probably show the the most popular caucasian video they could find.

Tony Austin said...

The norwegian army got the most views with 36-million.

Coming in at number two was the UGA Men's Swim & Dive Harlem Shake with 26-million.

My presumption is that they showed the most popular version or versions and I suspect, and I can't confirm, that they were shown the UGA video. Here is why...

In the posted Youtube of the Harlem locals being interviewed The women at the 54-second mark said they "dry humping air." in the 1:42 a local notes: "...he is humping his man"

Going back to the UGA video, the intro displays "humping" for it's long intro.

I also went with the premise that to get a stir they would probably show the the most popular caucasian video they could find.