Basic Instructions by Scott Meyer for November 18, 2024

Henry Ford hadn’t seen nuthin’ yet!

Ford thought square dancing would counter the Jewish plot to corrupt Americans with jazz music.

I refuse to dance. Nobody gets me to gyrate wildly just by playing music! I reserve that for moments when I’m being shot at.

Thanks, Heinrich.

Yeah, Ford believed that traditional American folk dances, like square dancing, were an important part of the nation’s cultural heritage (i.e. white heritage). He wanted to promote them as a “wholesome alternative” to modern, urban entertainment like jazz, which he disliked (i.e. music liked by people of color).

Is Square Dancing really taught in American schools???

Square dancing is not uniquely american, it’s a variant of Quadrille. Still called that on St. Croix.

Huh,who knew?