Dance with Diandra Jones at the BVI Dance School

One more for St. Paddy’s Day! I’ve danced for many different audiences in many different places, but this was by far the most rewarding—entertaining a group of bewildered Ghanaian school children. 🇬🇭🇮🇪☘️

As my babies sleep, I’m carrying out my annual role as an International Baccalaureate Dance examiner, marking essays from around the world that compare two cultural dance forms. Each year I am disturbed by papers that devalue cultural dance forms by describing a dance as “lacking technique,” “easy to do,” or “anybody can do this dance.”

Or “ballet is the foundation for all dance.”

I am more disturbed when they devalue dance forms that emanate from historically disempowered cultures, and cultures of color.

I am even MORE disturbed when I have to justify (to my white cohorts) WHY these comments are offensive, and rooted in racism and white supremacy.

I published an essay several years ago about this very topic. I presented the paper at the International Dance Conference in Barbados (thank you Neri Torres for welcoming me and hosting this important event).

I will never forget the applause I received when I read the line:

“Have you ever seen a ballerina dance African?

Although many dancers trained in classical Western dance styles—like ballet—will argue that dance styles like African lack technique, any African Dance teacher will attest that ballerinas have the HARDEST time with African dance. While they can copy the footwork and arm movements, the fluidity and SOUL of the movement elude them—so often without their notice.”

I am not devaluing ballet or knocking ballerinas. My ballet friends know I love and respect them. I respect ALL dance forms, and am outraged when I find dancers—and dance teachers—who don’t.

Yes, racism and white supremacy exist in the dance world. And it’s our job as educators to ROOT
IT
OUT.

Asking my dance-teacher friends: How do you teach gender-specific dances in a gender-neutral, inclusive way?

Examples: Irish Ceili, Salsa, West African cultural dances.

I have students who identify as neither "he" nor "she," and I want to be respectful of them, while also honoring and teaching the historical, cultural roots of the dance form.

Thanks!

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/arts/josephine-baker-makes-history-as-first-black-woman-honored-in-frances-pantheon

Josephine Baker makes history as first Black woman honored in France's Pantheon France is inducting Missouri-born cabaret dancer Josephine Baker who was also a French World War II spy and civil rights activist into its Pantheon. She is the first Black woman honored in the final resting place of France's most revered luminaries.

Holiday Giveaway! Only one day left to enjoy this special offer.

The stunning moment a ballerina with Alzheimer’s dances ‘Swan Lake’ Those moved by the video on social media shared firsthand accounts of how music “transcends” illness.