Tango is not only a fascinating dance but also a fascinating philosophy, culture and lifestyle. The search of tango is the search of connection, love, fellowship, unity, harmony and beauty, i.e., an idealism that is not consistent with the dehumanizing reality of the modern world. The world divides us into individuals, but tango unites us into a team, community and species. In tango we are not individualists, feminists, nationalists, Democrats, Republicans, etc., but interconnected and interdependent members of the human family. Tango calls us to tear down the walls, to build bridges, and to regain humanity through affinity, altruism, cooperation, and accommodation. It is a dance that teaches the world to love.



October 9, 2016

Tango and Individualism


We all assume certain roles in life. Husband and wife, father and mother, president and vice president, center forward and linebacker, leader and follower etc. are all different roles. (See The Gender Roles in Tango.) To work effectively as a team, it is important that we act in accordance with our roles. Overstepping one's role often results in a failed partnership, whether in marriage, family, politics, sports or tango.

Moreover, we have to be cooperative and act coherently to function as a team. Agreeableness was once considered a valuable virtue for this reason. While team members may have differing personal preferences, opinions, and positions, they need to put the team's interests first, be empathetic and accommodating, set aside their personal egos and differences and find common ground, considering themselves as part of a greater whole that is more significant than the individual parts. (See Pluralism vs. Monism.)

But when individualism becomes the prevailing philosophy in a society where everyone places themselves at the center, the collective good is often neglected. In contemporary America, for example, individual rights and self-interest are given greater importance than the needs of society as a whole. This has resulted in frequent disagreements and conflicts between people, with little agreement on anything. The political deadlock we witness is merely a reflection of the self-centeredness, narrow-mindedness, extreme positions, and obstinacy that reflect a country's absence of a holistic vision, magnanimity, solidarity, and common purpose.

The disregard for individual rights is a regrettable reality in human history. Liberalism, which prioritizes individual freedom, has historically played a constructive role in unleashing human potential and creativity. However, the idea that humans are independent and autonomous individuals is a biased view, as we are interconnected, interrelated and interdependent members of a species whose survival and success rely on our solidarity and cooperation. Human rights should not only be seen as individual rights, but also as collective rights that benefit all of humanity. These rights include coexistence, equality, cooperation, sharing, and the overall well-being of society. (See The Freedom in Tango.)

In today's America, however, rampant liberalism and individualism prioritize individual liberty, rights, and personal choice over the common interests and harmonious coexistence of mankind and society as a whole. Egoism, selfish behaviors, predatory practices, exploitation of others, monopoly, gun proliferation, doping, violence, obscenity, homosexuality, LGBTQIAPK, same-sex marriage, etc., all under the guise of individual rights and freedom, are but few examples. Too many people only think about themselves and disregard the interests of society and mankind as a whole. (See Tango and Gender Relations.)

Our tango mirrors this culture. Many dancers view themselves as independent individuals rather than as team members. Freedom is interpreted as being incompatible with compliance, while equality is seen as being at odds with submission. Gender roles and gender expressions are rejected, with men being discouraged from leading and women dancing like men. Tango embrace is being replaced by an open dance hold to allow for more individuality. Many dancers exhibit strong egos and treat others as rivals. Men attempting to find a dance partner are often subjected to rude responses, etc., resulting in a lack of fellowship, agreement, fraternity, and cooperation in our tango.

But, despite our obsession with individualism, we are still human beings subjected to vulnerability, loneliness, interdependence, and a need for association and connection. That is why we turn to tango in the first place - to make contact with others, to experience intimacy and fellowship, to touch and be touched by other human beings, to fulfill our desire for affinity, affection and love, and to collaborate in creating something that satisfies everyone. Unfortunately, these needs are often frustrated by our self-centeredness, independence, arrogance, and lack of agreeableness.

Tango puts us in such an intimate relationship with one another that we are forced to reevaluate what it means to be human, to change our self-centered attitude, to be better connected and cooperative partners, and to dance in harmony through abiding by the roles and being agreeable with each other. The lessons we learned from tango are valuable and have wider implications beyond the dance floor. (See The Lessons of Tango.) We need political leaders who understand the truth revealed in tango to unite us, set aside the differences, find common ground, restore brotherhood, focus on common cause rather than differences, and work as a team. Our milonga will be a better place in which to dance and our society will be a better place in which to live, I believe, if we embrace the spirit of tango and reject individualism.



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