Palestinian Gandhis Part VI: Breakdancing

Similar to the last segment in our profiles of "Palestinian Gandhis" which looked at "resistance Hip-hop" in the Arab World, the Camp Breakerz are using their love of breakdancing as their form of nonviolent protest. It's a way for them to take the negative energy stemming from the stresses of constant siege and turn it into an art form that they can show the world. They are putting their own spin on it, teaching it to the youth of Gaza, and starting a peaceful revolution of their own.

Here's what filmmaker Pam Bailey said about this excerpt:

Costanze once said, "dancing is like dreaming with your feet." And that’s what it is for the young men in the Camps Breakerz breakdancing crew. Ask one of the nine members, all from Gaza’s Nuseirat refugee camp, why they like breakdancing (a type of hip hop, along with rap), and they will invariably tell you they feel "free" when they "break."

Breakdancing is a style of street dance that was created and developed as part of hip-hop culture among African Americans and, later, among Latino youths in New York City. For that reason, like rap, breakdancing is often ostracized in Gaza as foreign to the Arab culture. However, the Camps Breakerz have made the art very uniquely their own, while also giving other young people a productive outlet for their energy and frustrations.

The crew chose the name Camp Breakerz in part to advertise their pride in their origins. "People think (refugee) camps are just for poor people with no culture," says Ahmed, who danced until an Egyptian soldier shot him in the knee, and now serves as manager. "But in fact, the camps have talent."

Breakdancers are called b-boys, or b-girls. Unfortunately, because of the conservative culture in Gaza, breakdancing is not yet considered acceptable for girls, and certainly not in mixed company. However, the crew is committed to helping interested girls "dream with their feet" as well, and are looking for suitable sponsors and opportunities.

Sponsorship in general, however, is one of the Camps Breakerz’ biggest challenges. Like any organization, they need money, facilities and equipment to survive and grow. As a result, most available funds go to formal, and bureaucratic, NGOs (non-governmental organizations). The Camps Breakerz are forced to practice in Ahmed’s cramped home (the sports club in which they used to practice was destroyed in the last Israeli war), and they don’t have the mattresses, etc. needed to train others elsewhere. But now there is good news! Until recently, they have been unable to leave Gaza to perform or compete with other b-boys. Now, an Italian businesswoman is working to bring them to Europe in the fall. Although Egypt now has eased the restrictions on its border with Gaza, allowing much greater freedom of movement, men between the ages of 18 and 40 still require a visa from Egypt or another country to leave – often very difficult to get. Wish them luck!

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