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We most definitely should. I am just saying that we should recognize that Culture is not static. It evolves and changes and grows. We should by all means do everything we can to learn about and respect the culture from which we are borrowing this dance form.
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All use Middle Eastern Dance moves or "belly dancing" but they are not Middle Eastern Dance.
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Dear Erin,
I did not get offended by your response and I hope no one else did. I just don't like it when people take something that is not originally theirs and it is more disturbing is the fact that they appear to tell the public otherwise. Only because the American government thinks they have the right to Iraq's natural resources and were able to put their hands on it, does not mean it is theirs. I am not trying to bring politics into this, but what is happening here is no different than stealing resources, it is cultural theft. When, lets say, ninety five percent of the music, costumes, dance movements comes from the Middle Eastern region and are used in "belly dancing" yet people say that it is NOT Middle Eastern, it does sound a little more than "borrowing" culture.
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Stating the obvious, Americans (or non-Middle Easterners, in general) come from many different Cultures (actually Middle Easterners do as well), including Middle Eastern ones, and they have shared those cultures to become what they are today.
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Americans of Middle Eastern origin make up less than 2 percent of the US population( this includes Pakistan, bangladesh, iran etc..). Unlike Irish and other Europeans, as well as mexico and some latin cultures, the Middle Eastern has not assimilated into American culture. I know many Arabs in America who are living in their own communities, the 2nd and 3rd generation Middle Easterners who assimilate keep their own heritage seperate, mostly when they are around family and friends who come from a similar ethnic background. I am seeing evidence of this when I look at the "belly dancing" taken out of its cultural context. You said "they have shared those cultures to become what they are today". I say they 'tried' to share those cultures(which includes MUSIC, HISTORY, LANGUAGE, CUSTOMS etc) but the only things that were actually "shared" or accepted were the shimmies and undulations.