The first sighting came by way of an IG video and then a Facebook post, asking: “Have you SEEN this video?” I watched and thought to myself: “This is brilliant” and proceeded to share it to my entire feed as well. That video is the now infamous “Get Your Booty to the Poll” video featuring a set of Atlanta dancers talking directly to their audience, telling how and why they should care about voting.
Critics across the internet were up in arms:
“How dare these women debase voting by shaking their derrieres on camera and sexualizing the voting process?”
“How dare the Democratic leaders create a video that essentially dumbs down Black men and appeals only to their lowest instincts?”
“This isn’t safe for children to see!”
“See, Democrats believe that’s all women are good for: The entertainment of men.”
I mean, why should the leader of the free world be determined by empowered, employed, self-determined, and (physically as well as mentally) strong women? The answer is: It should. That right belongs to us all.
Dancing is what these ladies do. They are physically strong and fit. They are beautiful and proud of their bodies. They make money, legally, using their talent and discipline. We must ask if it would be more palatable if it were a ballerina encouraging us to vote while twirling across the stage? Great. Make that video. This is their expression.
No, it’s not for kids. But neither is voting. Grow up and do your civic duty. Some people don’t realize how important that is. These dancers are talking to those people. Is it just Black men they are targeting? No, the video is targeting anyone who is into the Atlanta strip club culture. Stop by Magic City, the Blue Flame, Strokers, Onxy, Pink Pony or any of the other dozens of strip clubs in the A and see how diverse the audiences are. Lots of women as well as people of many other cultures enjoy frequenting the clubs. Welcome to the A, shawty!
This video was not produced by or for the Democratic Party. This was the brainchild of Angela Gomes, a brilliant WOMAN filmmaker from Atlanta who wanted to make a difference by approaching the “Get Out the Vote” campaign in a way that was uniquely Atlanta and was something she had never seen in the zeitgeist.
All of the issues they addressed in the video affect the dancers (and us) directly. Local elected officials—school boards, county commissioners, sheriffs, judges, and coroners—all impact our daily lives. Like you, me, and the many celebrities out here discussing the issues, the also pay taxes, the women in this video have the right to vote and the right to express their opinions. They also never told you or anyone else who you should vote for. They simply said to vote:
Vote for what you want to see in your community.
Vote for the leadership you seek.
Vote because that is how we contribute to a functioning society.
Now, in honor of the haters, the HOTEPS, and the housewives out there who don’t want to see the sisters shine, there is a part 2 people. And it’s dropping today—see it above! I was invited to Costume Design this video and I am so proud of my work, the work of the production and design teams, the dancers, the director, Angela, and producer, Paul Fox.
Angela had an incredible vision for part 2 and we had a blast playing dress up, playing with eras and stereotypes, and reinforcing the overarching message: VOTE, VOTE, VOTE!
I’m proud of these ladies. They’ve gotten a lot of heat for the video but they stand strong in their convictions. They are proud of who they are. They are proud of the stand they are taking. If the booty shaking isn’t for you, don’t watch it. The point is not the ass. The point is that everyone needs to: Get your booties to the poll!
