Dancing Without Discrimination

Every year, when June turns into July, the Smithsonian Institution pitches massive tents on the National Mall to celebrate the folk heritage of three cultures during the Smithsonian Folklife Festival.  This year, the African-American, Latin-American and Welsh cultures are celebrated.

I went to the National Mall this afternoon, to enjoy this year's festival.  I ended up spending almost all of my time in the Latin-American section, enjoying the music and the dance.  In one of the tents, the dance floor caught my attention.  For about an hour, I admired the people twirling to the music.  Everyone was included.  Partners were chosen regardless of age, gender, size or race, regardless of physical or mental disabilities, regardless of dancing skills and abilities...  Two young boys were spinning together with great glee; senior couples were smiling at one another as they slowly circled the dance floor; two teenage girls, one of them in a wheelchair, displayed the most original dance moves of all; strangers were inviting each other to dance without shyness or reservation; and even, an elderly asian lady was spinning all by herself , laughing at the top of her lungs.  

No one was left out, no one was being laughed at or pointed at, and everyone was having a fantastic time.  This beautiful spectacle touched me deeply.

Gaston