Christian Conversion and the Challenge of Dance-Ricky Chen-DANC163

I find it very interesting that the study of African dance in America can give insights to many themes in African American culture such as spirituality, Jazz, and allusions to sexuality in pop culture.

P. Sterling Stuckey’s essay titled “Christian Conversion and the Challenge of Dance” provides an explanation for the resilience of African American culture and especially dance, in United States ever since slavery. Dance is able to resist white American oppression because of its spiritual, political, societal and artistic values. The Western concept of dance as solely an art form causes whites to misunderstand the weight behind African dance and its comprehensiveness. Stuckey says, “Threads of spirituality- of art itself- were woven into the fabric of everyday life.” In other words, dance is synonymous with spirituality and society at the same time. While dancing in church in Western culture is considered profane, dancing in African religious ceremonies has a different and holy significance.

Dance also serves as a protest against the dominant white master class because of the high spirituality and the empowerment that is experienced through dance. When one dances fast, the mind and the body connect. The emotions that are often suppressed by white masters are released and expressed through the Ring Shout, a common spiritual dance by African American slaves in America.

I was unaware of Jazz’s connection to Christian church music and African American spiritual dance. It is fascinating that artistic forms such as Jazz that has been accepted or incorporated into the American popular culture and art come from religious and spiritual context. Even allusions to sexuality in African American spiritual dance and popular culture have roots in the African religious context. Sex is considered holy and creative, and incorporating sexual allusions would venerate a higher spirit. After reading this article, I understand better the significance behind African dance in different context, such as religion, society and popular culture. It is important for the American public to understand these aspects as opposed to judging African dance from a Western perspective.