Black History Month is a time for reflection. Each year I make it a point to reflect on how far African-Americans have come as a people, how their outstanding contributions have added to the rich fabric of American history and how prominent their influence is on popular culture, entertainment and the arts. From inventions including the traffic light system, The Super Soaker and hair relaxer to famous leaders such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, Maya Angelou and Oprah Winfrey, Black History is rich with tales of struggle, triumph and creativity.  During Black History Month 2011, I found myself reflecting most on African-American contributions to the art of dance.

Photo by George Joch / Courtesy Argonne National Laboratory

Segregation in Dance

In 2011, dance is known for its promotion of acceptance, individualism, innovation, freedom of expression, physicality, grace and transformative power within society. However, these artistic ideals were not always celebrated in the field of dance. As recent as the 1960s when America was in a heated battle on segregation, the dance world too was an active participant in the battle. Dance was just as segregated as the rest of America. This may be hard to conceive since today’s dance world is integrated with race, gender and orientation. However, in the “old days” the art of dance actually mimicked the narrow viewpoint that was diving America.

According to Shantella Sherman in a 2000 article, “Ballet had always been considered a dance form far outside the scope of black experience. As recently as the 1960s, choreographer Debbie Allen was denied admittance into a dance school because(…)

Continue reading “The Desegregation of Dance and the Pioneers Who Made It Possible“

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© Roger Lee for Dance Advantage, 2011. |
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