Never Forget Why We Started

As our second anniversary approaches, we can take pride in the progress we’ve made over the past two years. Our numbers have been steadily growing, our dance skills have significantly improved, and we now host our own milonga on a regular basis. When we go out to dance as a group, we leave a positive impression. We are beginning to make an impact on the tango community in this city.

However, there is no room for complacency. We are still far from achieving our goals. Our numbers remain small, our dance skills are still developing, and we are still a marginal presence in the local tango scene. The entire community remains influenced by Nuevo tango, and much work lies ahead for us—both in terms of personal growth and community building.

Some members, feeling confident in their abilities, may prefer not to maintain a low profile. They seek to showcase their skills and connect with new people. This has led to missed classes due to conflicting events. Some feel they have reached a level of independence where they no longer need the group, and a few have already left.

While exploration is commendable, we must not lose sight of why we started. This group has a mission. We are not individualists seeking personal gain and leaving when our goals are achieved. We are united by a larger purpose: to promote the milonguero style of tango, build a robust tango community, transform the tango culture in this city, and bring more people into our cause (see Champaign Milongueros Group Charter).

This vision requires teamwork, commitment, discipline, responsibility, grit, and personal sacrifice. If we prioritize self-interest and neglect our mission, we risk repeating the mistakes of those before us—those who wandered through tango for years without finding a place to truly belong. Individuals seeking independence will eventually realize that they need a home group to study, dance, grow, and fully enjoy tango.

Gathering a group of like-minded dancers is important because we cannot enjoy tango with just anyone. We can only enjoy tango with dancers who share the same philosophy, dance the same style, use the same embrace, mastered the same steps, and reached the same level of proficiency. Tango is the collective work of a group of like-minded and educated dancers, without whom one alone cannot enjoy tango no matter how good his/her dance skill is. That is why we must not just think about ourselves but work together, help each other to grow, and join hands to build a strong team.

Of course, this is easier said than done. People differ in their learning speeds and abilities. Some are quicker learners and better dancers than others. It takes time for everyone in the group to reach the same level of proficiency. In the meantime, those with greater skill may lose patience and feel it is in their best interest to dance independently with more advanced partners. However, when we prioritize self-interest over the common cause, we lose perspective, the group suffers, and everyone pays the price.

If we remain united and work together to encourage and support one another, the group will grow stronger and improve more rapidly, benefiting us all in the long run. It takes dedicated individuals to create a strong group, and a strong group to make a lasting impact. Until we achieve this, we cannot persuade others to join us or bring about meaningful change. Therefore, our priority must not be to flaunt our achievements but to focus on continuous self-improvement. History is made by those who remain steadfast, work together, and never give up (see Tango in Small Cities).