Russian Ice Skaters Impersonate Aboriginals, Win Gold » Sociological Images

Next stop, the Olympics

It’s one thing to have a figure skating routine influenced by aboriginal dance. It’s something else entirely to engage in the sort of cultural appropriation that verges on parody. And this routine is on the wrong side of it.

But why? Is it the fake leaves? The not-quite-blackface leotard? Or is it the indelicacy of it all? Is the problem with the concept or with the execution?

via squashed

Reason #4176 why figure skating is not a sport. Anything with the name “figure” in it is not a sport. Its athletic art, and its the art that people are judged upon, not the athleticism. I never liked watching this stuff anyway.

1. coleimperi liked this
2. saraplainandtall liked this
3. sdscomments reblogged this from squashed and added:

   My first thought, knowing no context, was: “Is...Magic Flute on ice?”

4. offwithitshead liked this
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7. iisabelle reblogged this from squashed and added:

   2010 Olympics will be held on technically unceded land that, without any kind...treaty,...

8. meckz liked this
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10. charliefoxtrot reblogged this from squashed and added:

    not a sport. Anything with...name “figure” in...not a sport....

11. noosphere reblogged this from squashed and added:

    Without having watched...(& with no desire...watch it after...

12. asie liked this
13. squashed posted this