Response 1: History of Black Dance

What I found particularly interesting about the articles by Shantella Sherman and Lisa Jo Sagolla was that while early "black dance", such as the cake walk, was easy to differentiate from "white dance", in more contemporary forms this distinction is more difficult to make.  The definition that black dance is done by someone who is black, regardless of the aesthetic and the notion that some black dancers do dance that isn't doesn't fit that definition seems problematic.  If that is the case, how can that definition hold true?  To me it seems as though black dance is characterized by its spirit, emphasis on horizontal rather than vertical movement, and recognition of cultural influences.  It seems less important that the dance is done or choreographed by black dancers.  I agreed with the quote from Reggie Wilson: "Trying to define exactly what black dance is limits our ability to appreciate how extensive the African diaspora is and to accept what could be a broader picture of who we as African Americans really are."

Specifically from the Sherman article, I found the explanation of the roots of many black dances to be very interesting.  While there were some dances I recognized as originally being black, there were others that I did not realize had evolved from that tradition.  I suppose that is further evidence of the blurred line between contemporary white and black dance, as each feeds off the other and all new styles are created.