An unlikely campus group was thrust into the center of cultural tensions last week, as Columbia University Lion Dance was subjected to widespread backlash and divisive controversy on social media. Here’s what you need to know about the drama surrounding Lion Dance and where we go from here.
- Columbia University Lion Dance is a student-run group devoted to the performance of traditional Chinese lion dancing. The art form is known for its eye-catching costumes (a lengthy lion mascot operated by two dancers) and its iconic drum beat coupled with the incorporation of gongs and cymbals. CU Lion Dance has become something of a campus icon due to its public rehearsals every Sunday at or around the Sundial. The group, which will celebrate its 25th anniversary in the fall, has welcomed all students who are interested, regardless of background or experience.
- In March, first-year student Beau Gantz decided to try out a rehearsal with CU Lion Dance. He had no experience with the form and was reportedly concerned that he may feel out of place as a Caucasian man performing a traditional Chinese dance, but the club’s inclusive nature compelled him to explore the experience anyway.
- On Sunday, March 23rd, Gantz participated in his first Lion Dance rehearsal. The endeavor was marked with distinct turmoil—he reportedly fell on the College Walk brick over a dozen times, and was later admitted to Mount Sinai Hospital for a fractured collarbone and two separate concussions. His struggles derailed the practice as a whole, as Gantz would repeatedly get “too excited” and start invading the personal space of the drummers. He also made a habit of spontaneously sprinting away from the rehearsal in an attempt to “see how fast [they] can get this bad boy moving.”
- Gantz’ unfortunate performance sparked speculation that he was deliberately sabotaging his fellow dancers in an attempt to disrupt the group’s art form. Rumors began to circulate online that his aim was to mock or belittle Chinese culture by intentionally ruining the rehearsal. Gantz, who has been wildly vocal about the incident on social media, maintains that he was “genuinely trying as hard as [he] could” but still took the opportunity to “apologize to Lion Dance, the Chinese community at Columbia, the many passersby [he] heckled and harassed, the greater Morningside Heights area, and any others who [his] actions may have hurt.”
- In response to the backlash, Lion Dance temporarily suspended Gantz from rehearsals, which they claimed was not because they believed Gantz was acting hatefully but simply because they “needed a break.” This was a reaction that Gantz deemed “understandable.” In his email reply, he wrote, “No hard feelings. Also, I think I left my phone in the pockets of the pants. If you could check when you get the chance I’d appreciate it. No worries if not!”
- When news broke of Gantz’s suspension, which was the first and only disciplinary action taken in Lion Dance history, tensions heightened around race and art on Columbia’s campus. Notable Caucasian advocate group Columbia University College Republicans came to Gantz’s defense, saying that his exclusion from the group was “an indefensible act of racism and a blatant denial of student rights,” and that there would be “hell to pay” if he was not reinstated. CUCR quickly established a GoFundMe for Gantz’s medical bills as well as the “defense of patriots like Beau from rampant anti-white discrimination.” Gantz responded quickly, saying, “nope,” “no,” and “please don’t do this.”
- The issue became a lightning rod for certain alt-right circles concerned with supposed disadvantages faced by white Americans who are pursuing a career in traditional Chinese festival dancing. Conservative commentator Steven Crowder cited the issue as “indicative of the greater attack on Western society.” Charlie Kirk of Turning Point USA mentioned the issue on X (formerly Twitter). He wrote, “The exclusion of white people from participating in lion dancing is only the beginning of the far left’s plot to eliminate American culture.” Gantz joined the dialogue to assert that this view is “very bad” and that he was only excluded from Lion Dance because he “ate shit every ten seconds” and was “sweating straight through the costume.”
- As the issue stands, Gantz’s suspension has been lifted, and right-leaning groups have pressured him to rejoin the troupe. CU Lion Dance has remained open to the idea so long as he “behaves himself,” but Gantz has expressed hesitancy, urging the public: “please don’t make me go back,” citing the “immense physical and emotional pain of such a failure.”
