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Mixed Reactions to Breaking’s Olympic Debut: Cultural Representation and Concerns

Explore the diverse reactions to Breaking’s Olympic debut, highlighting cultural representation, concerns over authenticity, and the impact on the dance community. Join the conversation about this groundbreaking moment in sports and culture.

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Breaking’s Olympic Debut: A Mixed Reception

Breaking's Olympic Debut: A Mixed Reception

The recent Olympic debut of breaking, the dynamic dance form rooted in hip-hop culture, has sparked diverse reactions from audiences around the world. From the Australian b-girl known for her quirky “kangaroo” dance move to the silver medalist from Lithuania sporting a durag, many viewers have raised questions about whether the true essence of this art form was adequately represented at the Paris Games.

Rachael Gunn, affectionately dubbed “b-girl Raygun,” is a 36-year-old professor hailing from Sydney, Australia. She quickly gained internet notoriety, though not necessarily for her technical prowess in breaking. Unfortunately, Gunn was eliminated from the round-robin stage without scoring any points, and her unique moves failed to resonate with the judges, standing in stark contrast to her competitors’ skills.

In one of her performances, Gunn executed a standing pose with one leg raised, leaning back while bending her arms towards her ears. In another moment, while lying on her side, she reached for her toes, flipped over, and repeated the maneuver, which she playfully dubbed “the kangaroo.” With a PhD in cultural studies, Gunn’s LinkedIn profile highlights her keen interest in the cultural politics surrounding breaking. She reflected, “I was never going to beat these girls on what they do best — their power moves. What I bring is creativity.”

Despite her early exit, clips of her routine went viral on TikTok and other social media platforms. Many viewers expressed discomfort at her performance, questioning its representation of hip-hop and breaking culture. One user on X remarked, “It’s almost like they are mocking the genre.”

Cultural Appropriation Concerns

Another highlight from the competition involved Lithuania’s silver medalist b-girl Nicka, whose legal name is Dominika Banevič. Some viewers, particularly from the Black community, criticized her choice to wear a durag during her battles. Historically, durags have been worn by enslaved Africans to manage their hair while working. They evolved into a symbol of Black pride in the 1960s and 1970s and became a staple in hip-hop fashion in the late 20th century. However, when worn by those outside the Black community, durags can be perceived as cultural appropriation.

Actor Kevin Fredericks voiced his concerns on Instagram, stating that it appeared “weird to see somebody who doesn’t need it for protective styling or waves to be rocking the durag.” Despite this criticism, Banevič, a 17-year-old breaker, ultimately secured the silver medal after a tough battle against Japan’s b-girl Ami (Ami Yuasa) in the finals.

Banevič acknowledged the influence of the original breakers from the 1970s in the Bronx, referring to them as the “OGs” or “original gangsters” of hip-hop. “It’s a huge responsibility to represent and raise the bar every time for breaking because they did an amazing job. Big respect for the OGs and the pioneers that invented all those moves. Without them, it wouldn’t be possible,” she remarked. “Breaking wouldn’t be where it is today without them, so I’m grateful for their contributions.”

Concerns Over the Future of Breaking

As the Olympic organizers sought to introduce breaking and hip-hop culture to a wider audience, there were concerns that Friday night’s performances might have alienated potential new viewers, thereby undermining the anticipated excitement for this Olympic premiere. Zack Slusser, the vice president of Breaking for Gold USA and USA Dance, commented, “We need to change the narrative from yesterday’s first impression of breaking as an Olympic sport. There were significant organizational and governance shortcomings that could have been easily reconciled but, unfortunately, negatively impacted breaking’s first touchpoint with a new global audience.”

Critics worry about the commercialization and rigid judging structures that can accompany Olympic recognition, fearing that the spirit of breaking, which originates in local communities and thrives on street battles, cyphers, and block parties, could be compromised. Hip-hop itself emerged as a vibrant youth culture within Black and brown communities in the Bronx, providing a means of expression and empowerment amidst socio-economic struggles and societal labels that often portrayed these young individuals as lost and lawless.

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Dominique Pelicot Testifies in Harrowing Rape Trial

Join us as Dominique Pelicot courageously testifies in a harrowing rape trial, shedding light on the complexities of trauma and justice. Her powerful story raises crucial questions about the legal system and the importance of support for survivors.

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Dominique Pelicot Takes the Stand in Shocking Rape Trial

In a courtroom drama that has captivated France and garnered international attention, Dominique Pelicot, the man at the center of a harrowing rape trial, finally addressed the court. With tears streaming down his face, he recounted how his wife had been instrumental in helping him cope with a tumultuous past marked by trauma. He revealed that he had endured a sexual assault at the tender age of nine while hospitalized, and he also witnessed a gang rape during his teenage years while working as an apprentice electrician on a construction site.

“She didn’t deserve this, I acknowledge that,” Mr. Pelicot stated, his voice barely audible as he struggled to convey his emotions. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on him, and the courtroom fell silent, straining to catch his every word.

Now 71 years old, Mr. Pelicot faces serious allegations of drugging his wife, Gisèle Pelicot, whom he has been married to for half a century, over a span of nearly ten years. Prosecutors contend that he used drugs to render her comatose, allowing him to rape her repeatedly. Furthermore, authorities allege that he went so far as to invite numerous men into their home, facilitating a nightmarish scenario where they, too, engaged in the assault of his wife.

Overall, 51 men, including Mr. Pelicot, are on trial concurrently, primarily facing charges related to the aggravated rape of Ms. Pelicot. Among them, one individual has already pleaded guilty to similar crimes, admitting to drugging his own wife to assault her and inviting Mr. Pelicot to partake in the horrific act while she was incapacitated.

Mr. Pelicot’s unexpected testimony came after a tumultuous start to the trial. Just a week in, he was stricken with severe health issues that forced him to miss four consecutive days in court. The head judge ultimately decided to postpone proceedings, as Mr. Pelicot was diagnosed with kidney stones, a kidney infection, and prostate complications, adding yet another layer of complexity to this already harrowing case.

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Meta Bans Russian State Media Outlets from Social Media Platforms

Explore the implications of Meta’s decision to ban Russian state media outlets from its social media platforms. Understand the impact on information dissemination and the ongoing battle against misinformation in the digital landscape.

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Meta Imposes Global Ban on Russian State Media Outlets

In a significant move, Meta Platforms, Inc., the parent company of Facebook, has announced the prohibition of Russian state media outlets, including RT (Russia Today) and Rossiya Segodnya, from all its social media platforms. The decision stems from the company’s concerns regarding the deceptive strategies employed by these media organizations to execute covert influence operations across the internet.

Meta made this announcement on Monday, emphasizing that the ban will be enforced worldwide across its various platforms, such as Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads. The rollout of this ban is expected to take place over the coming days.

Statement from Meta

A spokesperson for Meta elaborated on the decision, stating, “After careful consideration, we have expanded our ongoing enforcement actions against Russian state media outlets. As a result, Rossiya Segodnya, RT, and other affiliated entities are now banned from our applications globally due to their involvement in foreign interference activities.”

For further insights into this development, watch the video in the player above.

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Trump Recalls Alleged Assassination Attempt While Golfing

Explore Donald Trump’s chilling recollection of an alleged assassination attempt he experienced while enjoying a round of golf. Delve into the tense moments and his reflections on safety, fame, and the unpredictability of public life.

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In a recent interview on the social media platform X, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump recounted a harrowing incident he claims to have experienced while playing golf. Trump described how, during a peaceful Sunday morning round with friends, the tranquility of the day was abruptly shattered by the sound of gunfire in the air.

“It was a beautiful day, everything was just perfect,” Trump reflected. “Then all of a sudden, we heard shots being fired—probably around four or five in total.” He went on to explain that a Secret Service agent was the first to spot the suspect, who was allegedly armed with an AK-47, a powerful assault rifle.

“The agent saw the barrel of the weapon and immediately took action, returning fire at the barrel and aiming in the direction of the bushes,” Trump detailed. “I would have loved to have sunk that last putt, but we decided it was best to leave the scene promptly.”

Trump expressed his gratitude towards the agents and a vigilant civilian who aided in tracking down the suspect, who was eventually apprehended following a high-speed chase.

Suspect Faces Multiple Federal Gun Charges

The FBI has identified the suspect as Ryan Wesley Routh, accusing him of targeting Trump during his time at the golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida. According to an FBI report, Routh had allegedly hidden among the hedges of the golf course for an astonishing 12 hours. Authorities discovered an SKS-style assault rifle, a GoPro camera, and a bag of food at the scene.

The 58-year-old Routh is now facing two serious federal gun charges. If convicted on both counts, he could face a combined maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Notably, neither of the charges is directly related to an assassination attempt. The first charge pertains to possessing a firearm despite a prior felony conviction, which carries a potential 15-year sentence, a fine of $250,000 (€225,000), and three years of supervised release.

The second charge involves possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, which could result in a five-year prison term, the same financial penalties, and also three years of supervised release. As the investigation continues, additional charges could be forthcoming.

While the motive behind Routh’s actions remains unclear, his digital footprint reveals strong political affiliations, particularly concerning issues surrounding Ukraine and China. Routh consistently expressed support for Ukraine across various social media platforms, even claiming to have orchestrated a recruitment scheme for international volunteers aiming to assist Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s invasion. This behavior has been denounced by Ukrainian soldiers and members of the International Legion, who disavowed Routh’s actions and motives.

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