The co-captains of the Borderline Dance team, Lindsay Stamp and Dannika Cody, recently faced a serious setback when they were asked to leave the Emerald City Hoedown in Seattle due to their American flag-themed shirts.
The Rain County Dance Association, an LGBTQ+ nonprofit social dance organization hosting the event, cited that some attendees felt “triggered and unsafe” by the flag-themed attire.
Flag Shirts Get Dance Team Booted From Competition (Credits: WOWT)
In an interview with Newsmax’s “National Report,” Stamp and Cody shared their emotional reaction to the incident, emphasizing the inclusivity and military support that define their team’s ethos.
Cody, whose husband is active duty military and whose brother was affected by the Gulf War, expressed her deep personal connection to the flag and the emotional impact of the request to change their attire.
Despite the controversy, both co-captains reaffirmed their commitment to performing and their belief in the unifying power of dance. They stressed that their presence at the event was solely for the joy of dancing and sharing the dance floor with everyone, regardless of background or beliefs.
US Flag (Credits: Britannica)
Stamp and Cody’s actions show that cultural symbols can mean different things to different people, especially in public places. Their experience points out how hard it can be to show patriotism in places that are diverse and where people are very aware of politics.
This situation shows the problems that can happen in these places and makes us think about how to freely express ourselves while making sure everyone feels included and no one feels left out during community events.
