Russell Patrick Brown

Until my landlord at 18 Gay Street (Greenwich Village NYC) died, she gave us gift bags every year for the holidays with Johnny Walker, V***e Clicquot and luxury candy. She wasn’t a saint, but she did say I love you every time saw her. I miss her dearly. She was proof that you don’t have to be evil to give people a place to stay as a tenant.

It took me 13 years to be able to write this. Dance history has a secret, and we’ve all been moving inside its shadow. I’m done pretending it’s not there. I’m done pretending it’s more interesting or legitimate in any way.

So many people helped me see what I couldn’t see alone. I offer this piece in return as a gesture of solidarity, and as evidence of some surprising ways whiteness was built and is maintained through choreography, archive and power.

Part II is out now. https://open.substack.com/pub/timedancers/p/the-big-lie-in-dance-history?r=6fonbr&utm_medium=ios

Happy St Nicholas Day. I hope you may consider making a donation to a mother-child charity this year. They need your help.
https://open.substack.com/pub/timedancers/p/the-shoes-we-leave-outside?r=6fonbr&utm_medium=ios