Tag: black dancers

5 Black Women on the Obstacles of Dancing While Black

Civil rights leader Malcom X famously said that “the most disrespected person in America is the Black woman.” Decades later, those words still resonate. And the dance world isn’t immune to subjecting Black women to unfair treatment. After all, it wasn’t until this year—and after mounting pressure from online petitions—that many major dancewear brands pledged […]

Eight Powerful Dance Works to Come Out of the Black Lives Matter Movement

Art can be a critical part of social justice activism. And the recent Black Lives Matter protests have given rise to all kinds of dance art, with Black dancers and choreographers using their bodies to speak important truths. Below are eight must-watch dance works by Black artists that address this moment of uprising. “This Is […]

How to Support the Black Dance Community, Beyond Social Media

The dance community’s response to the death of George Floyd was immediate and sweeping on social media. Dance artists, including Desmond Richardson and Martha Nichols, used their social platforms to make meaningful statements about racial inequality. Theresa Ruth Howard‘s leadership spurred ballet companies including Dance Theatre of Harlem, American Ballet Theatre, and New York City […]

Listen to Black Dancers Speaking Out Against Racial Injustice

This weekend, protests against racially-charged police brutality—spurred by the unjust killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Nina Pop, Sean Reed, and so many others—swept the country. Supporters, including many of members of the dance world, took to social media to share their thoughts, and express their grief. As allies, one of the first […]