"The History of Black Dance in America"

In the intruiging article, "The History of Black Dance in America" by Shantella Sherman, the functions, characteristics and the developments of black dance(s) are addressed. According to Sherman, American dance of today is originally taken from African dances from the days of slavery.

Usually, when slaves were on plantations, they danced to express and to alleviate their hardship- even though it was forbidden. Later in the 1700's, dance was often a form of entertainment and a motion of victory. Hence, the development of the 'cake walk.' The 'cake walk' performed by plantation slaves was one of the first influences on 'white' dance. Thus, the 'Waltz' was the white interpretaion of the 'cake walk.' The black dance called the 'turkey trot' also evolved the 'Castle Walk,' performed by whites.

As time went by, black dance became more 'polished' and its interest was more viberant. Blacks who moved from the south to the north after WWI were eager to flaunt and share different dance moves gained from other communities. Thus, dances like, the 'Charleston' and the 'jitterbug' were all shared amongst blacks as they migrated.

Even though African-Americans were considered to have 'innate rhythmic ability,' they faced some discrimination into 'white' dances, like, Ballet. Blacks were seen to have primitive physical features, such as: wide hips, wide feet and non-streamlined bodies. Despite this obstacle, there were prominent black ballet dancers like Arthur Mitchell et al.

By the late 1960's, with the aid of the Black Power Movement, African cultural dance was embraced. Some dancers went abroad to extensively study native African and/or Carribean dances and opened dance studios teaching cultural and polished versions of black dance. The pride of being black derived dances like 'the bump', 'the hustle' and the like.
The creation of music videos in the 1980's- highly inspired by Michael Jackson, also evolved new black dances like 'break dancing.'

With all this said, there is no definate definition of "Black Dance" even though there are characteristics like, bent knees, being bare feet, having a slightly arched back and exuding lots of energy. But according to Donald Byrd, any dance of today can be called 'black dance' as it most probably has been influenced by the African-American culture.

-Darkowaa Adu-Kofi
Dance 0163
"The History of Black Dance in America"- response 1
Instructor: Christal Brown