Dance Crew Pulls Out of Performance Over Criticism of American Flag Attire

A female country line dance crew known as the Borderline Dance Team made the decision to not perform at the Emerald City Hoedown in Seattle on Saturday. The decision came after the team learned that the team’s American flag-themed outfits had caused some attendees to  feel “triggered and unsafe.”

Statement 

The dance team opened up about the situation in a statement posted to their official Facebook page on Sunday. 

They expressed that upon arriving some attendees made it clear that their attire was “offensive.” The statement acknowledged that there was a “small group” that felt “triggered and unsafe.” Because of this the team made a “unanimous” decision to leave the event.

Not Deterred 

The Borderline Dance Team made it clear that they were originally told that wearing their flag top outfits at the event would cause them to be booed by the attendees.

There was even the “likely” possibility that “many of them would walk out.” Despite this the team remained undeterred. 

Community 

Per the team, there were multiple claims that supported the reasoning of attendees feeling “triggered and unsafe.” One of the claims that was referenced was the “situation in Palestine.” 

It was also explained to them that the transgender community in America could also be offended by their outfits. 

Ultimatum

They noted that they were given an ultimatum after making it clear the potential boos, yells, and walkouts would not hinder them from performing. The ultimatum would have required them to “remove the flag tops and perform in either street clothes.” 

Unfortunately many of the dance team members did not bring street clothes with them. According to the statement, most of them arrived at the venue wearing their team uniforms. 

Another Dance Team 

Another dance group, the West Coast Country Heat, made the decision to stand with their fellow dance team in solidarity and not perform. 

Both teams “stood in solidarity and put actions to words.”

We Speak On Behalf Of Them

The team stated they “don’t speak for our team, we speak on behalf of them.” The Facebook post highlighted that “the choice was theirs.”

It continued with “unanimous NO” was not surprising since “there really was no choice in our minds.” 

Praises Dance Team For Taking A Stand

The National Chairman of the Independent American Patriots, Lonny Ray, praised the team for the stance they took. He stated on a Facebook post that he was “proud to see great patriotic women…stand up for principles and values that our nation was founded upon.”

He mentioned that he and many of his ancestors “stood and served for our country, our flag, and for people” like the dance team members. 

Why They Wore Those Colors

Per the Facebook message, the team stated they were representing the “families and friends of people who have suffered the unimaginable so that we may all have our own opinions and sleep soundly in our beds at night.”

The team also acknowledges “we may not always agree with the current state of things.” However, the concept of “true freedom” is what holds them together. 

Left With Class 

They stated they “walked out with class and dignity despite the discrimination” that they had experienced. The team expressed that they “recognize that being an American means true freedom.”

Went on to say “watching these teams band together was the greatest performance” ever seen. The post further read that “these people are strong, resolute and unwavering in their patriotism.”

Support Received From Community And Several Organizers 

The team was overwhelmed by the outpour of support that they received from “the majority of the community.” Per the team’s Facebook post, “even several of the organizers” showed their support.

There was disappointment “in the community they are supposed to feel safe in” in addition to disappointment that the “spirit of the event” was essentially “overshadowed by the political opinions of a small percentage.”

People No Longer Understand The Word ‘Triggered’

Kimberley Spitler, a Facebook user, showed her support by commenting on the Borderline Dance Team’s statement. She said she was “proud” of them for “handling this with grace.”

She also expressed her belief that “people have lost the understanding of the word ‘triggered.'” 

She explained that the misinterpretation is that the word “triggered” means “I don’t like it; therefore, I can cancel it.” She highlighted that the term should be reserved for the ones suffering from PTSD, autism, hearing loss, and others that have “experienced specific life threatening events.”

Just Wanted To Entertain 

The dance team expressed in their statement that they “only wanted to entertain.” However, they “didn’t get to do that.”

On a more positive note though they were able to “make new friends.” In addition, they were given the opportunity to “build some bridges that maybe wouldn’t have been possible without this incident.”

Brave Decision 

Chief Michael Shelton, a retired Navy Chief posted a comment on Facebook showing his support of the team’s decision to not perform. Shelton said he was “so proud” of the team.

He also said that the decision “took courage and might to stand up to those bigots.” He wrapped up his statement by saying they “all should be blessed for the brave decision” that they made.

Registered Democrat

Olivia Keister, a self proclaimed registered Democrat, made statements on Facebook in support of the team as well. She stated that she was “so embarrassed to have ever called [herself] a Liberal.”

She explained that “these communities that run on Progressive Liberal principles and policies are in danger.” 

Other Critics Claim 

Comments that were referenced within the Facebook post several times, indirectly addressed the people that are threatened by the American flag. For example, one Facebook user offered the “suggestion” that those threatened “leave this great country.”

Another user went on to say “heartbreaking” to be disappointed in flag tops and the United States flag. 

Never Back Down 

Jim Capo, a United States Navy Veteran, showed his support on Facebook for the Borderline Dance Team. He referenced an experience when someone told him that his U.S. The Navy Veteran hat was offensive.

Capo claims that he “just laughed at the lady saying it.” He concluded his post with the remark to “never back down on your patriotism.”

Emerald City Hoedown Organizers 

The Emerald City Hoedown event was allegedly organized by the Rain Country Dance Association (RCDA). An association that is described as a “nonprofit LBGTQ country western dance community in Seattle.”

That description is posted to the organization’s official website. 

RCDA Board President

Cambier, the board president, made this statement on Facebook, claiming they are “in continued communication with the captains of the dance teams that were slated to perform Saturday.” They also took this opportunity to clear up the fact that “this was not a competition.”

Cambier went on to say “no one was disqualified and no one was asked to leave.” 

Co-Captain Of Dance Team Claims RCDA Has Not Reached Out To Them

Lindsay Stamp, the team’s co-captain opened up about the RCDA Board President’s statement during an interview with KTTH’s Jason Rantz on Tuesday. To date the dance team has not had any correspondence or communication from the RCDA.

Stamp also rejected the overall politicization of the U.S. flag. She stated that “my team doesn’t take a political stance. We came to dance.”