Individual Awakening Movement, LLC

I have never understood why society can be harder on dancers boys. It is okay and even empowering for a girl to play sports, wrestle, be on the football team, shoot guns, changer her own oil, and dress like a Tomboy. But a boy plays "house", with dolls, dances or sings and they are labeled and constantly asked (as if these labels or questions would even change the love or acceptance one had for their child).

Little boys are often not faced with the words of encouragement or empowerment as girls are for stepping out of the "gender role" that Americas deem acceptable and appropriate.

I was raised in an all girl family, my parents allowed us to be "girls", but also taught us all the "boy things". Working on our cars, to love shooting, fishing, sports, played "cars" with our huge bin of Match cars and even being part of a race car team on the Salt Flats. I was praised for shooting my first deer, catching a salmon, and racing on the Salt Flats.

So when I had a son who came out of the womb loving to dance, sing, and had a baby doll, I didn't think twice about embracing him for him!

But the questions always bothered me. From the time he was walking he was dancing. I would get asked, “If you let him dance aren’t you worried he will become…, well you know, gay!?. “You’re a boy, you should do boy things.” “He’s Black he should be in sports”.

It is soooooo bothersome. Embrace a girl and shame a boy!

We don’t get those kinds of questions anymore becuase of the reputation Reese has as a dancer and performer. He is sought after and fought over so even if we did, at this point in his career we would not care.

But for the momma raising “this type of boy”…

I would tell you, “wow, I’m glad I didn’t listen to the judgemental people.”

But I’m gonna say to the oppressor instead-

choose your words wisely. You absolutely know who you are. The ones who are “uncomfortable” the ones “worried” - but it is just a reflection of your own insecurities. The ones who are so worried about religion that you preach completely the opposite by voicing your issues in your questions to sweet boys.

YOU are one hundred percent in the wrong.

There have been times we have had to build someone like Reese up because of your hurtful words.

So young boys, empowerment to you! Reese and I believe in you! You got this! And as my dad always says, “Don’t let the bastards get you down!”