Serena Williams responds to her gangster dance critics: 'I don't care'
Serena Williams caused a mini-controversy when she celebrated winning a gold medal in the women's singles at the London Olympics with a gangster dance.
The dance, which has been referred to as a "Crip Walk," was technically more likely a "Blood Walk." Regardless, she was flogged by many for her celebration.
Williams said at the time that the dance was not planned, though she acknowledged it was somewhat inappropriate. Now she really doesn't care what her critics have to say.
"It's getting so much attention," Williams told Us Weekly Monday in London. "It just happened. I was so excited that it just came out," she said, laughing. "I guess I'm good at it!"
Asked about her critics, Williams responded "I don't care. That's the least of my worries ... I'm so excited I was able to do the dance. I'm glad I did it!"
Williams seemed to be proud about doing the dance considering she pointed to her family after breaking it out. The dance was a nod to her Compton, Calif., roots, and it's so mainstream by now I really don't even think about its gangster ties when I see it. I'm also guessing Serena didn't do it because she endorses the killing, stealing, and violence associated with the gangster life. She looked to me like someone just having fun and celebrating.
Still, this isn't the first time Serena has caused a controversy by exercising some poor judgment and then expressed little regret. That's just the way she is.
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Comments 1-100 (of 705):
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What would motivate her to rub it in Wimbledon's nose?? Or are you just assuming stuff in your mentally handicap head of yours. And she said that later on after hearing haters like you complain for no good reason. I'm sure she is not the first, only or last person to have a celebratory dance. After she said she was just filled with joy and happy. Read the freaking article!!!!
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Maybe she would have cared if she got DQ'd for taunting. You can't do that in the NFL, or the NBA, or MLB, or the NHL, but in the Williams Tennis League, it's discriminatorally OK.
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do you always berate people for their opinion or just their spelling?
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Besides, she didn't technically qualify for the Olympics,but she whined and complained and acted like a the diva she is and they let her play so she would stop.
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Talent notwithstanding, the Williams sisters have always acted as if the rules don't apply to them. Michael Phelps wasn't gifted a spot onto the US Swim Team, he had to compete in the Olympic trials and qualify for each event, and yet the qualification requirements were waived to allow them to compete. Serena, in particular, has consistently shown through her verbal assaults and actions, that she has a complete lack of respect for the sport, its rules, and the competitors. I would have expected nothing less than for her to respond to the critics, regarding the dance, that she "Doesn't Care". That's just yet another example, in a long history of them, that she's incapable of being gracious and displaying the class of a champion.
FYI......While comparisons have been made, Serena may have won each of the four grand slam titles as well as an Olympic gold medal, but Steffi Graf held all four of the Grand Slam Titles and the Olympic Gold in the same calendar year. That is a true Golden Grand Slam. -
Let's clarify the Williams stance on rules applying to them. They have for the past decade been the only women players who never stop at their chairs during tiebreak or after the 1st game changeovers. The horrific line calling in Serena's 2004 US Open quarterfinal with Jennifer Capriati was the single match responsible for Hawkeye (Shot Spot) being implemented in major tournaments - that's when she should have really threatened to shove the @#$% ball... Let us not forget Henin's not acknowledged stop of play at 2003 French Open. Don't have to like her, but please get your facts straight! True about Steffi Graff, at least.
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She can't be happy with just winning; she has to demean the loser, make the loser feel even worst that she is already feeling. On other hand, many times she throws a fit when she is losing. Olympic committee should penalize her some way just like T.O. has been penalized many times by NFL. Her father trained her well to play tennis, but he obviously skipped the good manners lessons. I usually turn off the TV whenever she is playing, it’s boring; if it wouldn’t be for hers boom, man like serves, she wouldn’t stand a chance.
To defenders of her action; sorry but the dance is associated with gangster types, absolutely inappropriate on world stage. Her reaction to objections? Typical; I don’t care.
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When the loser is the highest endorsed female athlete for reasons other than her skill level, is more beloved in America as a foreigner even though she clearly imitates Serena's style poorly; hell yeah rub it in her face! At 2009 Wimbledon, the great Fed wore sneakers with the # 15 on them to demean Andy Roddick, but...wait The Great Fed is the greatest player in history, he is beyond reproach. I digress.
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She will always be a crowd favorite whatever court they put her on. Your dislike isn't going to change that. Besides, they would never let a grass match be played in the rain. And she wasn't rubbing Wimbledon's face in it since this wasn't the Wimbledon tournament. This is the Olympics that were held at the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club.
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OMG...I did not realize in this day and age such simple minded still exists. No matter how things change they remain the same. I speak for all black people KISS OUR A%@!!!!
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rasist hater
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Serena is da terminater in tennis !!! Next time, she will do da Running Man dance for Arnold Swartznegger. Serena is da bomb. Black is da #1 color for clothes, cars, shoes, computers, Ipads...it is beutiful.
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Black is beautiful, but, can you imagine having having that hair?
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Another stupid comment!!!
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Yes, I have it and it is Fabulous!
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it is spelled RACIST! Learn to spell and people will think you are educated and thus listen to what you have to say!
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the william sisters have been great players but that doesnt give them the right to act stupid and dismiss people that dont agree with them.
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Ha Ha!!!! How true!!! gross, but TRUE!
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Are you aware that there are more white people on food stamps then Blacks?
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I am an educated affluent Afro American and I resent every remark that is negative against this black talented woman. She and her sister have done for tennis what Michael Jordon and Tiger Woods have done for their sport. Most of these negative comments come from ordinary people with ordinary lives. Most of these people are not qualified to carry Serena's bags. You and your kind are the low one on the totem pole.
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this folks is how ignorant people argue...they name call! so instead of coming up with an intelligent rebuttal you go for the jugular...shows your frustration and the deep seed issues you have, were you abused as a child? suffering from abandonment issues? wasnt hugged? it is okay...talk it out, you are behind your keyboard sky is the limit!
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Please folk. I am gettin tired of reeding all dis bickring. We R part of da UNITED states. We R one. Ya sum of us R a shade darker but dat dont mean we are emenies. Cant we all just get along !!!
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I would think simple minded would be those that support gang mentality such as blacks killing blacks. Getting your black sisters cracked out then trick them out to make a little cash for the weekend. You speak for ALL black people? Even all the black mothers that have lost black sons and and daughters to gang violence, drive by's random shots through the walls of their homes. Your a complete idiot. I don't think anyone will be kissing your nasty A%@ anytime soon. But it is good to see what people like you and Serena stand for.
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Hey whitehawk down, I guess all of those murderous Mafia movies and those drunken Irish shootouts by the Mob were all cool and are still cool to glorify. Pacino , Sorcesse, Denerio, and others are all dumb ass Euro trash that have lost countless ancestors, family members to the corrupt MOB. TV has to be even dumber by making Mob Wives a reality show that teaches the kids how to cuss and kill in infamey..
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Actually, no dumber than Basketball Wives, Football Wives, Supeyfly, The Mack, Boys In The Hood...
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Yo whitebird,
I would think that you "winterdove/snowflakehawk" or whatever they call you would be more concerned about the safety of our movie theaters and how Preist behave around our children. I guess Sandusky will be getting kissed soon by some transvestite from Newport Beach that looks 12 huh snowdove/pastychicken or whatever they call you lol???. -
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Man you can speak for me since we are on the same page, preach on to these closet racist KKK members like snowbird, pastyduck, whitehawk down? Whatever that scary fool is going by, get'em MM69 and make em pay!
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Whoa! People, People, the so called Crip walk, gangster walk was stolen. Many older folks such as myself did that little jig- as we call it, years ago. So, now the gangs have taken it and called it theirs? Who knew? I did not know that it had been renamed? As a young girl I loved to draw "rainbows" , now I understand it is the symbol of "gay pride"! Well news flash: I am still drawing rainbows and have a rainbow colored flag which I put up any time I feel like it. Does that make me gay? People you let the media tell you what to think. What Serena did is a JIG! You dance a little jig when you are happy and celebrating! This has nothing to do with gangs, Compton, and surely not Wimbledon! Get a Life! Get off these computer and combat the real enemy: Your Congress person, Senators, Representative that are creating laws and ruining our country while you write meanless garbage on your computers! Really people why are we fighting each other writing about hair, dancing, etc.?
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I agree, queenofknow. I knew when I started reading the comments, that this was going to turn into us vs them type of thread. This has nothing to do with being black and ghetto. That is a small minded person's way of thinking. This was simply a celebratory jig, No one complains when Tebow gets down on his knee. The real reasons for debate have nothing to do with how Serena celebrated her well deserved win. The debate should be about gun control (obviously needed), the economy (thank you, Mr. President, we are finally getting back on track), and terrorism (my son and only child left for Afghanistan this past Sunday). So, may I applaud the little black girl from the ghetto for her Olympic gold as I throw my hands in the air and wave them like I just don't care.
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Don't appoint yourself to speak for all black people. That's just stupid.
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I agree, skinheads call it "the browning of America" lol. I call it bye bye whitey lol....Get'em MM 69!!!!
Update: August 08, 2012
lololololololol, racism is not fun huh? so it would be wise to stop it as most blacks are now well versed to counter it with success. -
your comment is as bad as megaman63 since when do you speak for all blacks?thats a dumb statement,you dont speak for all blacks and probably a minority of blacks if the truth were known.hater
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you don't speak for all WHITE, as I am white and my views are no way near yours. call the damn dance what u want but looked like a happy dance to me. as for the rest of this bull this is a sports venue. why are u turning it into a race war? that goes for both colors.
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OMG I did not realize in this day and age such an ignorant minded perosn like you still exists. No matter how things change they remain the same. I speak for all black people KISS OUR A%@!!!!
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No you don't.
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With what?
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No you don't.
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You are a small minded jealous racist. Evidently you are not mature enough to enjoy a victory for an accomplished person. Keep your negative comments to your self you idiot!!! You probably have no idea what it takes to continously perform at her level. You are pathetic.
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Wow, black and stupid for doing a dance that most white kids in the clubs have their own version and variations. If she had been Irish and broke into a jig,would that have been ok - or would that have been an international scandal because of Irish/English relations? When are people going to start growing up and use the brains we are given. This is all media hype.
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You couldn't have known it would happen anymore than she did. To me this is still alot flack about nothing. I don't see anyone talking about Novak Djokovic ripping his shirt in pieces after winning a tennis tournament or Ryan Lochte wearing that hideous grill in his mouth during the medal ceremony.
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That grill got lots of media attention and was also said to be in bad taste.
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Ryan was told by the olympic committee, no grill or no medal
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You said it good. shows you how racist you are. you had to mention her race and so what if it is wimbledon or the olympics. I am from there and brits are stuck up people so give this a rest ok. If she was a white person nobody would say a thing about this. Djokovic does it all the time but i did not here anyone coplain about that!!
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It had nothing to do with black and everything to do with class. She could have been purple with pink polka dots and it would still be a classless thing to do. Why do people have to assume it is a black thing. Like no white or latino person ever does a victory dance at a sporting event and/or at an inappropriate time. Color has nothing to do with stupid...
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Whoa! People, People, the so called Crip walk, gangster walk was stolen. Many older folks such as myself did that little jig- as we call it, years ago. So, now the gangs have taken it and called it theirs? Who knew? I did not know that it had been renamed? As a young girl I loved to draw "rainbows" , now I understand it is the symbol of "gay pride"! Well news flash: I am still drawing rainbows and have a rainbow colored flag which I put up any time I feel like it. Does that make me gay? People you let the media tell you what to think. What Serena did is a JIG! You dance a little jig when you are happy and celebrating! This has nothing to do with gangs, Compton, and surely not Wimbledon! Get a Life! Get off these computer and combat the real enemy: Your Congress person, Senators, Representative that are creating laws and ruining our country while you write meanless garbage on your computers! Really people why are we fighting each other writing about hair, dancing, etc.?
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Then why don't they point that out with white athletes(which have been some) when they act classless. Why isn't that pointed out? The media has always been biased against black athletes and will continue to. Color always has something to do with it. You sound less knowledgable about this in this world or you're just a racist. I'm not sure which. They will continue to point out even the smallest infraction. Why was it brought up in the first place? Ask yourself that question. Why did they wait to run the story of Michael Phelps running a stop sign while being drunk? Why wasn't Gabby called gracious for being a good sportman while comforting the Russian girl? Why did her teammate read the headline that, she was gracious in defeat? Why did they have an article about Lolo Jones being over saturated? All negative things aimed towards black athletes. Hmmm. Wonder why?
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With a name that reads about justice, you don't seem to be.
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media has nothing better to do than to stir up trouble. Jason Whitlock, black writer for yahoo put down both Gabby and Serena. To me he's a jerk. Gabbys hair nor Serenas dance didn't bother me at all. The so called crip walk I was doing when i was a kid and i'm 66 now. and white. so put that in your pipe and smoke it and let's quit giving writers who shouldn't even be allowed to put words down a way to make a living.
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here, here. you are so right. but don't professional athletics get fined for doing their little dances. i believe they call it unsportsmanlike conduct!
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What??? "... the black came out of her and she went stupid" So the black culture is stupid you're saying? Megaman63, u r in serious need of some cultural diversity education.
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Change your moniker to "racistman", because it is obvious that you are, but you knew this already. It is clear that you needed to make this primitive statement, and this non-story provided you with what you deemed to be the perfect platform. Fortunately, Serena's greatness is not defined by your racist standards, nor this non-story that is being used to erode the extent of her achievement.
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It was just a dance by one of America's greatest!! What is your problem?IIt's not like she brought back up dancers and gun toting thugs on the court!! Get over yourself.
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You are so stupid.
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No, the black came out of her and she went stupid during the hour before she started dancing!
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Da rite !!! She on da top of da world. She da bomb. She keep cumin' back fo da attack. She like da terminater.
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I certainly enjoyed her dance more than the way OUR olympic gymanist acted when she won the silver medal. don't see any nasty posts about that or maybe that's how people are suppose to act to the ugly commenters regarding Serena.
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All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club IS WHERE WIMBLEDON is held. She has reason to want to rub their face in it given she was the reigning Wimbledon champion and the next year when she was to defend her title and the Queen was in attendance they put her on court 2 instead of center court in front of the Queen - never has the defending champion played on court 2 instead of center court BUT Serena had the opportunity to prove them all wrong and accept her win graciously. She of course did not and just further proved why they were justified in not letting her play in front of the Queen. Good job!
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Thank you!!!! This is exactly what happened, but you didn't speak up then did you? How dare you accuse this beautiful American Olympic Gold WINNING athlete of anything!!
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are you sure she is a crowd favorite?most tennis fans are to polite to show their true feelings?
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Dumber than a bag of hair.
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Jealousy is becoming. What do you do for a living. What talent do you have?
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I am an astrophysicist- I contribute by proving the earth is not flat. Can you be a dear and add some mild sauces please?
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Hey, I know you! You are most certainly not an Astrophysicist; you are a sarcastic coward who has a serious case of keyboard courage! :)
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put her on any court she still will dominate her opponents she didnt disrespect wimbledon ans she dont need you to like her what you think god gonna say to you when judgement day come he is gonna ask you this question how you like him whom you have never seen and dislike your fellowmen whom you see every day i wonder what your answer gonna be serena keep walking keep dugging they just jealous bcas they cant
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who says? you said? she got moves and style. people like you who put name and shame to others who are better than you. maybe you should go to school and learn a few things yourself.
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Serena belongs exactly where she is an accomplished Gold medal winner champion olympian and business woman. she earned those titles. where do you belong?
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but if she was white and won and did a cowboy dance it would have been ok people like you not only disrespect her as a person but her whole family and it is sad that you came from a family with no home training from your parents at all because if you did you would not say them terrible words.
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A 'cowboy' or a square dance would represent murdering, thuggery, misery to innocent victims, lawlessness and willful distain of education.
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in 4 yeers, when Serena get anutha gold, she will do the PeeWee Herman dance for da white folk.
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This has to be intentional. No one is this damn dumb!
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Wow! Such an ugly comment - I bet I can guess your political persuasion. Anyway, I suppose Andrea Petkovic belongs in the hood too (she did a viariation at Wimbleton, also):
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Petkovic+Victory+Dance&view=detail&mid=8DA0268A44AAD36CD6218DA0268A44AAD36CD621&first=0 -
Now I am really offended, that Petkovic is promoting the Nazi Gas Camps of WW2!!!! Tha HORROR!!
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Wow....come on people its just a dance...
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you are a rasist hater!
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Not on this day my friend! Both are on top of the World stage... 6,0 and 6,1... Olympic Gold Medalist, this year's Wimbledon Champ??? C-walk and all, Serena Williams is right where she belongs, and so are you :)
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You can take the tennis player out of the hood but not the hood out of the tennis player.If you can't see the poor judgment she made, you're blind with the color of her skin (as if she or they can do no wrong). Her unwillingness to apologize just shows her poor taste and lack of class.
But you know what?....I don't care anymore for her either. And I am more talented than she is on a "whole nother level". -
why should she? do you for being ignorant? yet she don't blame you for that. if y'all was better whey she is up there and your sitting home bad mouthing her.
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WOW it seems the more I read about this the more I see racism. Most ppl dont care she danced the problem is no one know what the dance was called until she told the world its the Crip Walk. No what you see is a black girl from the "Hood" doing it andyou would never want your little white kids to do it. Fact its a mainstream dance now not just Crips are doing in and it was done by a white guy Brent Berry during the All Star game in the NBA its a dance get over it.
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Dancing is one thing and I wouldn't blame anyone for celebrating a big win. What I find odd is that someone would throw the word "crip" out there like that. As unfortunate as it may seem to some, "crip" has some very negative connotations and stigma to it from both sides of the fence.
There are good people who live in bad neighborhoods who would like to forget that there is any such word as crip. Maybe in respect to those who live the impossible life of urban sprawl, the dance didn't need to be named anything other than a victory dance. -
I agree kinda like how we glorify Mafia/Mob movies and give them awards and all, right? SIGH wake up dude its 2012 and no one should care about a dance or another Mafia movie, TV Show, Song, Play, Clothes, Toys, Mob Wifes reality shows. Thats real glorification if you ask me buddy.Was the Mafia a bunch or Crooks or Public Officials? I am so confused with how they have been strategically painted as positive or ok in society, why?
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