Press Releases

MIAMI, FL – Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24) issued the following statement in response to a Miami-Dade County High School dance-team's provocative costumes and dance routines:

"While serving as a member of the Miami-Dade County School Board in 1997, I proposed Miami-Dade County School Board Rule 25B, which quickly became known as ‘the dirty dancing ban' and prohibits performances that depict actual or simulated sexual intercourse, masturbation, excretory functions, and actual lewd exhibition of genitalia," said Congresswoman Wilson. "The rule was codified by the school board and received overwhelming support throughout our community."

"I felt shocked and embarrassed after recently watching viral videos of Miami Northwestern Senior High School's dance-team performance, which featured risqué costumes and sexual connotations and movements," said Congresswoman Wilson. "I was even more saddened that this took place at Miami Northwestern – a school that I love and of which I am a proud graduate."

"Though these videos shined an international spotlight on Miami Northwestern, it is clear this inappropriate behavior is not germane to just this particular school; this issue applies to all of our already fragile schools. These sexually provocative dance routines and costumes are unsuitable for school performances. Further, what kind of value system are we embedding in the hearts and minds of our young women when these risqué costumes cost anywhere from $800 to $1200 per costume and multiple costume changes are required each school year?"

"These issues make it abundantly clear that Miami-Dade County School Board Rule 25B, which I proposed in 1997, is not being enforced. When I proposed this rule 20 years ago, I acknowledged that dance and band performances at events or in educational settings are essential to the establishment and maintenance of an atmosphere that fosters cultural and artistic exchanges. But certain modes of dance are inappropriate, unsuited for immature audiences, and may offend the community's sense of propriety rather than foster appropriate conduct. While performances that go beyond the limits imposed by this rule may be held in a private setting outside of the school environment, these types of performances are unacceptable in Miami-Dade County schools."

"It is up to the superintendent, the school board, and school principals to enforce this rule to protect our children's well-being, and the image of our public schools. This is not just a Miami Northwestern Senior High School issue. The rule is being broken at many Miami-Dade County schools and I am calling on Superintendent Alberto Carvalho to use his bully pulpit to address this issue. These sexually provocative performances must stop now."