Dance team's video goes viral for controversial costumes

Is attire too racy for teams?

MIAMI – A video of a recent performance by Miami Northwestern Senior High School's dance team has gone viral because of the teens' costumes, which some believe were too racy.

Reaction to the video has been varied on social media, with some praising the teens for their talent and saying that the outfits are simply costumes.

Others said the pantyhose the girls were wearing made the costumes look more like lingerie.

"This is a good example of the #Adultification of Black teen girls," one Twitter user wrote.

One of the videos posted on social media has been viewed nearly 308,000 times.

Parents and guardians of students at the school also have different opinions about the teens' costumes.

"If they're dancers, they're entertainers," one grandparent, Debbie Frasier, said. "So if you have the same problem, you have the problem with Beyonce or young child stars who dress that way on national television."

The high school's principal released a statement Tuesday, saying that the parents of each dance team member approved of the costumes.

"While all the parents of the dancers who participated in the event approved of the attire, we understand the concerns that have been raised and sincerely apologize for any offense this may have caused," Wallace Aristide said. "Looking ahead, we will implement a more comprehensive and stringent uniform approval process to ensure an appropriate representation of our school."  


About the Authors:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.

Terrell Forney joined Local 10 News in October 2005 as a general assignment reporter. He was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, but a desire to escape the harsh winters of the north brought him to South Florida.