I really enjoyed the above linked article.  Finally someone who seems to have a good grasp of bellydance history.   A point I would like to highlight is that,

 

 

If you check my history and perspectives on bellydance page you'll see that I have said the same thing.  I know that in this country we often use the term Middle Eastern Dance to avoid the so-called 'exhibitionist' history of the word, not to mention the negative connotation that the world still has today.  Its probably true that people associate bellydance more with selatiousness than the term Middle Eastern Dance, but the reality it that it doesn't authentically define our dance.  Ultimately its mis-representation which leads to misunderstanding which is probably one of the reasons why bellydance already has a bad reputation.  Furthermore, if this article is correct there is an Arabic term 'raks b'tn' meaning stomach dance then bellydance is a very authentic gloss for the original Arabic.  Very interesting, we might have to rewrite our own history of bellydance at the Chicago's Worlds Faire.  What will we do without Sol Bloom to blame for the fact that the American public sometimes does not appreciate bellydance?  I guess we will just have to focus the cultural aspects of the present day which still make people uncomfortable with bellydance rather than simply blaming the past.  I wonder what we will find.  Perhaps that elements of our culture are really just as prudish as they were in the 1890s.  Perhaps that Orientalism is alive and well or rather other forms of Middle Eastern/Arabi prejudice.  Perhaps that feminine sexuality is still frightening when presented without a complementary male sexuality.  I don't really know what the relevant issuare are but I'm fascinated.  I am sensing a project coming on!