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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-GB link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Sorry, but I don't understand how the term Dixie Twirl can be considered to be culturally sensitive.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>There are over twenty towns in the USA called Dixie.  I haven't heard of any plans to change their name by them, or Winn-Dixie, or the Dixie Chicks, or countless other organisations with Dixie in their name.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Surely it requires both context and intent for a term to be considered negative.  In the fun context of a contra dance, with no intent to offend anyone, I don't understand how the use of a common word can be considered offensive.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>I don't expect these arguments to sway those who have already made their mind up.  And I really don't want to turn this into an ongoing debate.  This is really just to let you know that I strongly believe that those who wish to continue to use the term Dixie Twirl (and other such terms) should be allowed to do so without being criticised and without anyone taking offense.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>            Happy dancing,                          <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>                   John                                   <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>                                    <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>John Sweeney, Dancer, England   john@modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802 940 574                          <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>http://contrafusion.co.uk/KentCeilidhs.html for Live Music Ceilidhs                        <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent</span>                                          <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>http://www.modernjive.com for Modern Jive DVDs<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></body></html>