With the themes of different types of dance styles discussed and the history behind dance, we can see how dance has evolved over time. I feel that elements of blackface minstrelsy and African dance forms has increased my knowledge of dance. These two styles of dance were emphasized in this course that wasn't discussed in other dance classes I have taken in the past. Thus, learning these styles specifically help me connect the different dance styles together to understand the history of them and their influences in dance culture. Some elements that I felt were important to help me understand the blackface minstrelsy module were the influences of African American culture in the dance world. Some dances like the jig and the ring shout are similar
Racism as defined by Encyclopedia Britannica as “the ideology that humans are divided into separate entities called races and that some races are innately superior to others” is one of the world’s major issues and we cannot deny the fact that it still persists in the modern world. Many people are not aware of how much racism still exists in today’s society. Some people thinks of it is a way of life. Others think of it it as an offensive expression that shows closed-mindedness. Racism comes from different ethnicity, cultural morals, beliefs, and the physical appearances. Another issue that is related to racism are stereotypes involved in various racial slurs. Stereotypes are known as a generally held fixed concept or idea over a definite person, group, or thing. “A standardized mental picture that is held in common by members of a group and that represents an oversimplified opinion and prejudiced attitude.” Stereotyping puts people in a negative image, and then racism comes into play. It agitates the people affected by these generalized concepts. Racism is so ubiquitous that it has became part of today’s culture and became invisible yet many people experience it still. It is everywhere, it can be seen in the media and in one’s own community. Since the issue of racism has been going for centuries, various films were made to bring awareness to people. It is reflected in these films and other art forms as well especially in dance. Racial stereotypes were created for certain dance styles such as ballet is for white people and that hip-hop is for black people only. Using sources from dance studies and other scholarly articles, this essay will prove that racism is strongly presented and portrayed through both white protagonists in th...
The concept that belly dance is a constantly evolving dance might surprise most people, as the static Orientalist image of the belly dancer is the one that pervades American popular culture. I and other scholars attempt to remove belly dance from the ridged framework of Orientalism and the harem fantasy. By the following how belly dance arrived in America, and how images of belly dancers and harems became part of the visual culture of the West I have attempted to demonstrate that there are aspects of power and a different reading of images of belly dance is possible. Through continued scholarly inquiry and research I look forward to the emergence of a new image of belly dance, one that represents the power and beauty of this dance, an image that is respectful of the many cultures that it represents.
Dance is an ever evolving form of art; in much the same way that one can categorize and differentiate between eras and styles of architecture one can also do so with dance. These eras at times have sharp delineations separating them from their antecedents, other times the distinction is far more subtle. Traditional forms of dance were challenged by choreographers attempting to expand the breadth and increase the depth of performance; preeminent among such visionaries was Seattle born dancer and choreographer Mark Morris. Mark Morris' began as one of the millions of hopeful individuals attempting to simply make a career in dance; he not only succeeded but managed to have a lasting effect on the entire landscape of dance.
Minstrelsy, or minstrel shows, were a widely popular form of entertainment during the eighteenth century that consisted of comedic acts of white people negatively impersonating the African American population as lazy, unintelligent, and superstitious with offensive theatrical makeup called blackface. While minstrel shows encouraged the promotion of music and what Americans may have considered to be the high points of black culture in some shows, they also showed extreme discrimination and racial inequality. With the rise of minstrelsy also came the growing influence that these negative caricatures had on society and culture, even literature. One literary work creates a large amount of controversy even today because of its seemingly racial and discriminatory plot; The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain is controversial only because of Twain's accurate depiction of the social issues of the time, especially race. Mark Twain himself loved minstrel shows, and because he accurately portrays his characters as products of their time, including Jim, the different caricatures of the stereotypical black slave are evident in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, where Jim rejects the stereotypical blackface portrayal of minstrelsy.
Africanisms in America are a highly surveyed topic for the black community. Joseph E. Holloway describes Africanisms as “those elements of culture found in the New World that are traceable to an African origin” (Holloway 2). I believe, that africanisms are the traditions and cultural behaviors of African Americans that resemble the some of the same traditions and cultures in Africa. Which makes you ponder about what current elements does our culture use that ties back to Africa. Which in fact there are several africanisms that still exist. African Americans have retained an essence of Africa in their speech, hair care, clothing, preparation of foods, and music by over centuries of separation from the Dark Continent.
The Sioux Grass Dance is considered to be the most popular style of Native American Music. As one dances to this music, they follow a pattern known as “toe-heel.” This consists of the individual placing the left foot in front of the right and repeating with the other foot. Each male dancer makes many personal variations of this dance resulting in a so...
Katherine Dunham revolutionized American dance in the 1930’s she went to roots of black dance and rituals transforming them into significant artistic choreography which she spoke to all. She was a pioneer in the use of folk and ethnic choreography, and she was of the founders of the anthropological dance movement. She was known for her dancing and choreography.
Have you ever taken offense when you saw someone dressed in traditional garments from your culture? In America, this happens quite often. Some people may not recognize it and some refuse to acknowledge that it even exists. Cultural appropriation is a situation in which a dominant culture steals aspects of a minority culture’s, such as hair, clothing styles, and music.
African- American folklore is arguably the basis for most African- American literature. In a country where as late as the 1860's there were laws prohibiting the teaching of slaves, it was necessary for the oral tradition to carry the values the group considered significant. Transition by the word of mouth took the place of pamphlets, poems, and novels. Themes such as the quest for freedom, the nature of evil, and the powerful verses the powerless became the themes of African- American literature. In a book called Fiction and Folklore: the novels of Toni Morrision author Trudier Harris explains that "Early folk beliefs were so powerful a force in the lives of slaves that their masters sought to co-opt that power. Slave masters used such beliefs in an attempt to control the behavior of their slaves"(Harris 2).
The Folklorico group presentation I was honored to observed was the “Grupo Folklorico Juventud” from North Salinas High School. I decided to attend to this presentation because I use to be part of this Folklorico group. I also enjoy watching the dances for the reason that I believe they are beyond beautiful. It is amazing how a simple dance could transmit so much information while representing a region from Mexico. From my observation experienced, I noticed every region has different movements and customs for a reason. While observing the presentation I noticed most women used long skirts to create different shapes. They usually create the eight shape, half a circle or an entire circle which is created when the dancer does an entire spin while holding and moving their skirt. The skirt is also moved in different levels, such as high, medium, and low. The two levels that are used in most of the dances is the high and the medium level. While dancing the men and women usually do the same steps and movements. All the dances include “zapateados” which are known as foot dances or stomps. The “zapateados” are usually done with different parts of the feet such as the toe, heel and the sole of the feet. The dances include “zapateados” with different sections of the feet because every part creates a different sound. Most of the dances also include jumps and turns. It is extremely important for the
Being a resident of South Carolina, African-American Culture was chosen as part of the applied learning project for the Intercultural Nursing class, because African-Americans make up more than a quarter of this state’s population. According to the 2010 United States Census Bureau, the total population for South Carolina (S.C.) is 4,625,364, with 27.9% being of African-American descent. The purpose of this paper is to develop an understanding and sensitivity to issues and cultural variances or phenomena that are unique to the African-American Culture. Another goal is to identify nursing interventions that are important for the nurse to consider in caring for this population. These phenomena’s include variances in social organization, communication, space, perception of time, environmental control, and biological variations associated with the African-American culture. (Giger, 2013 and South Carolina minority, n.d.)
The Black Arts movement refers to a period of “furious flowering” of African American creativity beginning in the mid-1960’s and continuing through much of the 1970’s (Perceptions of Black). Linked both chronologically and ideologically with the Black Power Movement, The BAM recognized the idea of two cultural Americas: one black and one white. The BAM pressed for the creation of a distinctive Black Aesthetic in which black artists created for black audiences. The movement saw artistic production as the key to revising Black American’s perceptions of themselves, thus the Black Aesthetic was believed to be an integral component of the economic, political, and cultural empowerment of the Black community. The concepts of Black Power, Nationalism, Community, and Performance all influenced the formation of this national movement, and it proliferated through community institutions, theatrical performance, literature, and music.
One example of an area or an activity that demonstrates African-American dance qualities is basketball. The movement for basketball shows qualities of street dancing. This can be seen when players shoot the ball and when players attempt to fake out the opposing side by spinning around in opposing directions. Double Dutch is another example of the demonstrates African-American dance qualities. While males would participate in sports, females would participate in Double Dutch. Double Dutch is shared among the young people and the elderly. The movements in Double Dutch went from just jumping rope to rhythmic movements, a quality shared with African-American dance.
The dance topic I chose was a stiletto dance. The stiletto dance originated from the women’s shoe style, which was the stiletto heel. Men and women in the entertainment business are usually seen wearing stiletto heels for performances. Genres such as ballroom dance, jazz dance, and Latin dance. Basic techniques from ballet are still useful whiles dancing in heels, they help you to prepare and keep your balance.
Whereas music has changed throughout the course of Black history, the meaning behind older songs has created the music’s origin. Music in the Black culture early on had changed the lives of many slaves, from leaving hidden messages of escape routes, to giving tips on overthrowing their ‘masters’. Other reasons had included the act of being racist, and other treatments many Blacks were given. The evolution of music for the race has led to a variety of different styles, along with stories told in their music.