Instagram’s Flawed Understanding Of The Crip Walk

Social media platforms like Instagram have become a primary means of communication, entertainment, and a platform for showcasing creativity. It's no surprise that people use these platforms to share their passion and talent for music, dance, and other forms of art. However, sometimes the content shared on these platforms gets removed for reasons that are hard to understand, and this is where the injustice lies.

Instagram, one of the largest social media platforms in the world, has been under scrutiny for its biased approach toward the Crip Walk dance also known as the C-Walk. A recent incident that brought this issue to the forefront was the removal of Dilemaradio's C-Walk dance video by Instagram. This raises the question: why does Instagram remove a video with dance moves?

Instagram message: “We removed your video because it goes against our Community Guidelines, on violence or dangerous organizations. Our guidelines are based on our global community, and some audiences may be sensitive to different things.”

For those who may be unfamiliar, the Crip Walk is a traditional dance that was created in the 1970s by first-generation Crip member Robert “Sugar Bear” Jackson and has since spread worldwide. It is a unique dance that involves a series of footwork and body movements. The dance is characterized by its slow, smooth movements and is a key element of hip-hop culture.

However, despite its cultural significance, Instagram has labeled the C-Walk dance as “violent.” This label is not only inaccurate, but it is also a form of discrimination against a particular cultural group. The notion that dance can be violent is absurd and highlights Instagram's lack of understanding of hip-hop culture and the C-Walk dance moves.

Furthermore, this bias is apparent in Instagram's inconsistent application of its policies. Last year, the world saw Snoop Dogg perform the Crip Walk during the Super Bowl halftime show in 2022, and it was widely praised, shared, and enjoyed. But when regular people post videos of themselves performing the same dance, Instagram removes it. This discrepancy is a clear example of the double standards that exist within the platform's policies.

Instagram's removal of the video suggests that the platform considers the c-walk dance to be “violent”. This is a flawed assumption that is based on the dance's association with a street gang. The C-Walk dance has nothing to do with violence or gang activity; it's simply a dance form that has become a part of hip-hop culture. The dance is not harmful, and it doesn't promote any form of violence or gang activity. It is an art form, just like any other dance style.

Dilemaradio was reprimanded by Instagram for sharing an original video of the Crip Walk featuring black kids, yet an account named Cripwalk on Instagram, showcasing white children attempting to perform the same dance remains on the platform without penalty. The disparity raises the question of why a hip-hop account received a warning from Instagram and even faced the threat of account removal for sharing an old video of kids dancing.

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The removal of Dilemaradio's Crip Walk video has sparked a conversation about the larger issue of discrimination against hip-hop culture on Instagram. It is not only the removal of videos that feature the Crip Walk dance that is problematic, but it is also the platform's failure to recognize hip-hop as a legitimate art form.

Instagram has a history of removing content that it deems inappropriate or offensive, but the removal of the dance video highlights the platform's bias toward certain forms of art. Instagram's policies around content removal are vague, and it's unclear what qualifies as violent or offensive. The platform needs to be transparent about its policies and make sure that they are fair and unbiased toward all forms of art and culture.

Instagram's biased approach toward hip-hop culture is limiting the artistic expression of millions of people worldwide. By labeling the C-Walk as violent and removing it from the platform, Instagram is perpetuating negative stereotypes about hip-hop culture, contributing to its marginalization in society.

If Instagram wants to remove content that promotes violence, then it should start by removing content that promotes actual violence, such as political propaganda and hate speech, instead of a harmless dance video.

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The removal of the Crip Walk dance video is a clear example of how social media platforms like Instagram have the power to censor artistic expression. Social media is supposed to be a space where people can express themselves freely, but Instagram's biased policies limit that freedom.

It is crucial for Instagram to recognize the significance of hip-hop culture. By removing these videos, Instagram is erasing an important part of Afro American history and culture, which is a form of systemic oppression.

Serena Williams And The Crip Walk

In 2012, tennis superstar Serena Williams found herself embroiled in controversy after performing the famous Crip Walk dance following her gold medal victory at the London Olympics.

Many criticized Williams for glorifying gang culture, and some even accused her of disrespecting the victims of gang violence. Others argued that the crip walk has become a part of mainstream hip-hop culture and should not be viewed solely through the lens of gang affiliation.

Williams defended her performance of the dance, stating that it was a tribute to her hometown of Compton, California and that she was not trying to promote gang violence. She also noted that she had previously performed the dance at a charity event for the Compton Unified School District.

Despite the controversy, Williams went on to win her fourth US Open title later that year, cementing her status as one of the greatest athletes of all time. The Crip Walk controversy, while certainly a contentious issue at the time, ultimately did little to tarnish Williams' legacy or her accomplishments on the court.

To clarify, the C-Walk dance is associated with the Crip gang. The dance originated in Compton, California, and was popularized by gang members prior to Serena Williams' birth. The dance gained worldwide popularity over time.

In a press conference following her match, Williams was asked about her performance of the C-Walk dance. She responded by stating, “It's just a dance we do in California.”

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The Crip Walk

The Crip Walk, also known as the C-Walk, is a dance move that was created in the 1970s by first-generation Crip member Robert “Sugar Bear” Jackson and has since spread worldwide. It is a unique dance move that combines footwork and arm movements, and it has been popularized by a number of famous rappers and hip-hop artists over the years.

The dance style is an important part of hip-hop culture and has been performed by many famous artists over the years, including Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, Blueface, and O.T. Genasis. The C-Walk is often associated with the Crips gang, one of the largest and most notorious gangs in the United States. However, the Crip Walk has also been adopted by many people outside of the gang community and has become a symbol of hip-hop culture and creativity. In recent years, the Crip Walk has been performed in music videos, dance competitions, and even in schools and community centers around the world.

The Crip Walk is a unique and culturally significant dance move that has been embraced by people around the world. Its removal by Instagram and other social media platforms raises serious questions about the role of censorship in shaping public discourse and limiting freedom of expression. While these platforms have the right to set their own content policies, it is important that they do so in a transparent and consistent manner, and that they respect the rights of their users to express themselves creatively and freely.