Black Dance and the White Public

Florence DiBiase 163

Black Dance and Dancers and the White Public: A Prolegomenon to Problems of Definition: Reading 2

I found this article by Brenda Dixon slightly frustrating as it went in between the necessity of a definition for black dance and the negative impacts of a separate title. There is much difficulty in the process of defining separate "colors" of dance as they have fused together so much, especially in present American culture. I do not agree with the statement that black dance is merely the dance of black individuals and feel that dance is just dance, while it may take on many different historical and cultural influences, it is all the same language of expression.

I definitely agree with the negative aspects of defining black dance as a separate form. The statement, "America has learned that separate is, inherently unequal. No dancer or choreographer wants a separate category created for his or her work." really struck home with my feelings on the subject. Many people of black heritage learn the styles of classical ballet with the same precision and technique as their fellow white dancers, and yet their dance should be considered different? That seems just inherently wrong.

While I understand where the opposition is coming from as far as a definition being important in preventing racial oppression, I think that if black dance were considered a mere historically and culturally influenced style independent from the dancer or choreographer's skin color then this would not be an issue.

I feel very bad for the misfortune that Ailey had to deal with given the color of his skin and his struggles even though his talent was so great. I am a huge fan of Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and having done much research on his life and novels, appreciate his stance on this subject. Being centered on one's own culture alone is a bad approach to life. I really liked the metaphor of "walk across hot coals to loosen the invisible limitations placed on us by our assumptions." I feel as if this is the best approach to clearing up the matter; coming together as one people to experiment across the world into different cultures and styles of dance.