"For an entire century, these two people are left out in the fields to hybridise and miscegenise and grow something entirely new," ~ Leni Sloan

Another percussive component that contributed to the development of tap as a genre was the Clog. The Lancashire district of England brought the Clog to America 1840s. This would later become a highly adaptable form over the remaining century having swiftly morphed into such new styles as the Hornpipe pedestal which were all done in hard shoes . However there was a distinct lack of syncopated rhythms present in any of these percussive forms. This absence of swinging rhythms would arrive later in such dance styles like the Buck and Wing and Essence dances that would lead to the Soft Shoe being used as an alternative.

The term ‘ Buck ’ can be traced back to the African term po’ bockorau ( a phrase associated with a Buccaneer ,a pirate originally operating in the Caribbean ). During this period , African males were referred to as Bucks and were often imitated and ridiculed by Minstrel and Vaudeville performers as forms of entertainment or profit. This pre-tap routine contained steps like the Pigeon Wing , in which a dancer will shake their foot in the air , that were a big part of this early from of folk dance. It said that this dance became favoured by Irish Buccaneers who brought the  Jigs and clogs with them.

Tensions regarding race have always been a huge factor affecting tap and its development. The whole foundations of tap are based on the abduction of Africans from the home country and forced to work on plantations for white Americans. This inhuman act is the stimuli for early tap development. Oppression against enslaved black peoples continue for hundreds years and even after being freed their were still laws prohibiting an equal life. Tap dancers like Bojangles who grew up affected by these laws weren’t considered in any means as talented as their white counterparts. The 1968 folk song entitled “Mr Bojangles” inspired by reals event in which a white street performer uses Bill Robinson’s stage name as an alias to profit from his success and attract more attention. Here you can see a clear disadvantage in being black during this time as other are able to take your work and pass it as their own leaving you with less business , exposure and money. 

Issues against women and their right to equality has always been a long and difficult issue all over the world. Women have been working towards the rights of women to vote in elections , Starting in the late 1800s. Women worked for economic and political equality and for social reforms, and sought to change voting laws in order to allow them to vote. It’s is clear that women have always held less importance than men and this continues to be a issue even in today’s age. Tap dancers like the syncopated ladies might face issues like unequal pay. This would mean that despite being as talker as as certain male tappers or even more skilled in fact , the wouldn’t be paid an equal amount because of the gender. Another example of inequalities for female rapper would be the Me Too Movement , popularised as #MeToo , is a large scale protest against sexual harassment and sexual assault specifically in the acting industry. It started to spread virally in October 2017 as a hashtag on social media , specifically twitter ,  in an attempt to demonstrate the widespread prevalence of sexual assault and harassment. It came after  sexual-abuse allegations against Harvey Weinstein began to arise and then spread like wild fire. Female artists like the syncopated ladies might be faced with sexual harassment issues form men and women wanting to take advantage of them because they are in a better position of power. Unfortunately there are many resources to discuss these issues and take appropriate action and this is only just starting to improve these days. Also in today social climate sexual harassment allegation are never taken seriously due to the lack of evidence or people creating stories to benefit for the drama.