So, what's the deal with choosing belly dancers so you can make fun of them. The producer probably doesn't know much about the art of Middle Eastern dance and the huge subculture of belly dancers in America and all around the world. Why choose side-show like acts or a male belly dancer (who was chosen to be made fun of even though there are tons of talented male belly dancers in our community).

This is degrading to my art form. Why wasn't a serious act of belly dancing chosen (the guy is probably a serious student/performer of this dance - but he was CHOSEN as a joke - to be made fun of)? I don't think the producer has any inkling of the unfortunate impact this kind of image of belly dancers perpetuates. We are a community of hard working, talented artists who are constantly fighting an uphill battle against negative stereotypes (stereotypes that Hollywood first created and is still pushing to the masses). Ever heard of the Bellydance Superstars? Ever gone to a top-notch Middle Eastern supper club in LA or New York or Cairo and seen the wonderful talent that is little known to the rest of the world.

You had a chance to present belly dance as something novel and cool and sensual and an artistic, cultural connection to the world events. Why degrade it? For money? Thanks. Open your eyes! Take a deeper look into something outside of your own little world.