The Harlem Shake has taken over the internet! Starting February of 2013, people everywhere have been uploading their own version of the Harlem Shake dance to YouTube. Typical videos begin with one or two people randomly dancing to the Baauer song “Harlem Shake” while others around seem oblivious. Once the beat drops, the video quickly changes to a room full of people dancing around in crazy costumes. For most, creating Harlem Shake videos are fun and harmless. However, some videos have crossed the line and participants may find themselves paying a high price for a few seconds of inappropriate dance moves. Such is the case for student-athletes who have taken the ‘shake’ too far and marred the reputation of their schools.
Nyack-Tappen Zee Hockey Team. Hockey players on the Nyack-Tappan Zee (NY) team were forced to forfeit their chance of winning the high school hockey playoffs after the team uploaded their locker room version of the Harlem Shake. The video was deemed inappropriate by school and athletic administrators.
Calvary Baptist Academy Baseball Team. Athletes from a parochial school in Shreveport, Louisiana were suspended after uploading a video of their team members ‘shaking’ to Baauer’s popular song. The school considered the video inappropriate due to lack of clothing and raunchy dancing.
Susquehanna University Athletes. Mimicking sexual acts while performing the Harlem Shake resulted in 11 athletes from Susquehanna University, located in Philadelphia, to be suspended from the athletic program. The offending students, football and track athletes, filmed the video in the University’s weight room.
You Make the Call. Do you think the videos were inappropriate or harmless fun? Take a look at the videos and decide for yourself. But first a word of caution --- some of the videos may be considered unsuitable for young children: Nyack-Tappen Zee (http://tinyurl.com/bzs3ket), Calvary Baptist Academy (http://tinyurl.com/bvagzv6), and Susquehanna University (http://tinyurl.com/c6c2lkz).
Although most Harlem Shake videos are tame and lighthearted, it is important to remember that all actions come with consequences particularly when posted online for the entire world to witness.
Glad the schools took action. At some point people need to be held accountable for their actions, regardless of if it is meant to be funny or not. Act ignorant= get treated ignorant.
ReplyDeleteStudent athletes should think about what they represent before they post these videos. These videos can be fun to make, but when there are members crossing the line with sexual acts or wearing only a sock, it is very inappropriate. While entertaining to some, these videos not only makes the team look bad, but also damages the reputation for the entire school. I am glad that these schools are holding this athletes responsible for what they have done.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first read the title of this blog I was thinking I was just going to read about the Harlem Craze and maybe why it’s popular or when or where it started and then I read it and watch apart of the videos and was just honestly grossed out. I cannot believe that these athletic teams made these videos and didn’t realize what they were doing and how it could affect them. These videos are very inappropriate and may have been filmed for just fun but should not have ever been made or posted. They have to realize they don’t just represent themselves but their team and their school.
ReplyDeleteAfter viewing the videos, all I can say is 'what were they thinking?'. The ability to instantly upload video for all to view can permanently damage a person's reputation, career, and even, life. Perhaps we should all be cautioned to get opinions from trusted sources and self-censor with a 24-hr waiting period prior to posting anything online.
ReplyDeleteThis "dance" video can be fun and enjoyable to all who are involved. There is no need for these students to be taking their clothes off for a video. You can make the same video, make it completely more family friendly, while not hurting your school or your own reputation in the process. Think of these kids as they apply for professional jobs and when they are asked about why they were suspended, they have to look at a possible future employer and tell them about the video that got them suspended. People need to think before they do anything idiotic like this.
ReplyDeleteI think the Harlem Shake dance craze is funny, however these students took it too far. In my mind while I was reading the article I assumed that the administrators and such probably just overreacted. After watching the videos, I completely agree with their decision. On top of their completely inappropriate actions they were athletes. Golden rule, you represent the team you are playing for so you must ALWAYS think before you do anything. In my opinion the first video was the worst of the three but in all the videos they just poorly represented their schools, teams, and coaches. The Susquehanna video put their university on the map but with a bad reputation. I just wish people could take something fun and keep it fun, instead they always want to “one up” and end up taking it too far.
ReplyDeleteThe FAA is now investigating a team of Frisbee Golfers from Colorado College who performed a fun, harmless version of the Harlem Shake while onboard a Frontier Airlines flight. These students received permission from the flight attendants and informed other passengers on the plane about the 'shake' plan. The dance appeared to be lighthearted and G-rated(http://tinyurl.com/bts93gr).
ReplyDeleteThere is a difference between good, clean fun and inappropriate, lewd behavior. I am somewhat mistified by the spectrum of reactions from knee-jerk administrators. Your thoughts???
I think the Harlem Shake videos are great; a little over played, but still great! I appreciate the fact that teams are getting together and doing this. We always harp on student athletes about being "one" and having fun together. This is a HARMLESS video (as long as there is no nudity). People are too serious these days in criticizing what others do with their free time. So what? The kids got bored during the locker room, big deal!! I did too! All I'm saying is if LeBron James and the Miami Heat can make a video and be praised for it on ESPN (not to mention Jimmy Johnson and his racing team after winning the Daytona 500 WITH THE TROPHY IN THE VIDEO BEING TOSSED AROUND!) then I think it is safe to say that these videos are harmless and that the media, school administrations, and athletic administrations should just back off and let these kids enjoy themselves for a bit (as long as there is no nudity as mentioned before). If the Harlem Shake is considered so provacative and sexual in nature shouldnt we get rid of all of the professional cheerleaders and dance teams in America or make them all go back to the wool sweaters with knee high socks and long skirts chanting "Ra-Ra You can do it!" type stuff?!
ReplyDeleteI see where people have a problem but with me also being 18 I understand what was going on in their minds. I was laughing through all of them because it was funny. People get to caught up in the little things sometimes. They're just a bunch of hormone crazed teenagers. Pulse its high school sexual gestures and actions a a norm in high school.To me you have to put your self in their shoes before you can make these kinds of decisions. THEY ARE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS remember that because you were a high school student once.
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