Re: [Callers] Lead/Follow in a Swing

Thank you. Andrea! I'd like to repeat the point that the terms lead/follow are implicitly communicating to (some) male dancers that they are in charge. Not only does this create pressure, but I think it contributes to a growing trend I'm noticing at my local dance; fairly new male dancers assume I'll happily follow their lead and seem dismayed (even insulted) if I choose not to. This sets up a dynamic of conflict rather than the friendly cooperation I consider the soul of contra dancing. Bree Kalb Carrboro, NC -----Original Message----- From: Andrea Nettleton Sent: Saturday, January 05, 2013 4:51 AM To: Caller's discussion list Subject: Re: [Callers] Lead/Follow in a Swing Sometimes a dance weekend comes along just in time. So I am at Chattaboogie in TN, and thought very hard about what was going on between me and all the people I danced with, and I think I finally understand why, in my mind, lead/follow are actively bad terms to use in contra, and why when we teach the idea of flourishes, I really don't want anyone thinking of one role as lead, and the other as follow.....