He mocks the fondness for Prince George's dance, and the networks remind him that ballet is also for children

There are still those who think that ballet is a girl thing, and does not conceive the idea of ​​seeing a child dance. Or at least that is what it seems to judge by the latest controversy that arose on American television, in which a well-known presenter has mocked the fondness for the dance of Prince George, son of the Dukes of Cambridge.

The Prince began his ballet studies last year, when he began his new stage at the private school St Thomas's Battersea. Since then, sources close to the British royal family have ensured that he is passionate about the activity, and that it is part of the open and respectful education that his parents have always taken care to give to their children.

"Let's see how long it lasts!"

The controversy arose a few days ago in the famous morning program "Good Morning America", when its host, Lara Spencer, he mocked lively at the fondness for Prince George's dance of England, claiming that "Prince William says that George absolutely loves to do ballet. I have something to tell you, Prince William: to see how long it lasts.".

The comment started the laughter of the public gathered on the set, but He raised criticism from numerous celebrities like Rosie O'Donnell, Cheryl Burke, Derek Hough, Debbie Allen or the Star Treck saga actor, George Takei, who posted on her Twitter account:

Lara Spencer on @GMA mocked a 6-year old Prince George of the UK for taking ballet class. It shows that “toxic masculinity” can be spread viciously by insensitive women, too. As a fellow "George" and a lover of dance, I am very troubled and disappointed by her actions.

- George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) August 23, 2019

"Lara Spencer, at @GMA, has made fun of Prince George of the United Kingdom, and 6 years old, taking ballet lessons. That shows that" toxic masculinity "can also spread aggressively among insensitive women As my namesake George, and as a dance lover, I am really disgusted and angry at his words. "

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The actor's words quickly went viral and thousands of users criticized the intimidating tone used by the presenter and reported having lived similar situations in their environment, supporting the fact that Boys and girls can express themselves in absolute freedom.

Before the flood of criticisms received, Lara Spencer reflected on her words and decided to rectify through a message on your Instagram account. In addition, he contacted the choreographer Travis Wall to personally apologize, and invited him and other members of the dance and ballet community to attend his morning program on the ABC channel.

See this post on Instagram

My sincere apologies for an insensitive comment I made in pop news yesterday. From ballet to anything one wants to explore in life, I say GO FOR IT. I fully believe we should all be free to pursue our passions. Go climb your mountain-and love every minute of it.

A shared post by Lara Spencer (@ lara.spencer) on Aug 23, 2019 at 9:07 PDT

"My sincere apologies for a callous comment I made yesterday on the show. From ballet, to anything you want to explore in life, I tell you: Go for it. I firmly believe that we should all be free to pursue our own passions. . Go climbing your mountain and love every minute you spend on it. "

And that was how yesterday a total of 300 dancers congregated, among men, women and children, outside the television studios where the Good Morning America program is recorded. And through a beautiful choreography they showed the world that ballet is not only a girl thing.

See this post on Instagram

A shared publication of Travis Wall (@traviswall) on Aug 26, 2019 at 6:35 p.m.

Definitely, It is appreciated the message of apology and the final gesture of the presenterWell, sometimes we can say things without really thinking about the consequences they may have; Especially when we talk about children.

Prince George's ballet classes

Prince George began attending ballet classes last year, as part of the multidisciplinary teaching offered by his school. As can be read on the school website, ballet is a very popular activity among children of all stages and prepares them for the exams of the Royal Academy of Dance, as well as for samples they perform at school twice a year.

His weekly classes last 35 minutes, and are accompanied by the live music of a pianist. The program consists of three dance disciplines: ballet, free movement (influenced by other dance styles such as jazz, contemporary and classical Greek dance), and theatrical performance.

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Breaking gender stereotypes

Unfortunately, Lara Spencer's comment is not isolated. In fact, there have been several occasions in which we have echoed similar news that have affected both boys and girls.

In their case, it is not strange to hear criticism if they show interest in things that have traditionally been associated with female roles, such as wearing long hair, cooking, doing ballet or skating, dressing in female accessories, or playing with dolls.

In the case of girls, it is common for them to grow up surrounded by gender roles that refer to the way they should behave because they are girls, their own professions or leisure activities, or the importance of caring its external appearance

In Babies and more, the 21 sexist phrases that children listen to (and reproduce) from an early age, and that we must avoid, and that, as bad as we weigh, we are still prisoners of our own stereotypes, perpetuating gender roles with our absurd beliefs and reproducing sexist phrases without being aware of the harm they do to children.

It is everyone's job to educate boys and girls in equality, without cutting the wings of their creativity and encouraging them to be what they want. But for our children to be raised in an equal society in all aspects, we must act in unison from different spheres.

Of course, parents and educators have a lot to do, but also schools, large companies, advertising campaigns for clothes and toys that harm children's freedom, the media, and ultimately, any of the people with which we cross each day.

Via El País, People