As an educator, I’m concerned about what happened in Florida this past week. Florida governor Ron Desantis administration rejected a proposed AP African American Studies class in Florida high schools. This type of institutionalized racism is dangerous on so many levels. As a collegiate professor, this also makes the work that I have to do even harder.
For the past twenty years, my work has been to promote traditional West African dance and culture. One of the best ways of promoting culture is through finding interescionality with other departments and programs where I teach. The integration of black dance programs into Africana Studies programs at the collegiate level would have a number of benefits for students and for the field of Africana Studies more broadly.
Incorporating black dance into Africana Studies would provide students with a more well-rounded understanding of the African diaspora. Dance is an important aspect of many African cultures and has played a central role in the preservation of tradition and cultural identity. By studying the history and theory of black dance alongside the literature, history, and other subjects that are typically included in Africana Studies programs, students would gain a deeper understanding of the complexity and richness of the African diaspora.
The proposed intersection between black dance and Africana Studies would also provide students with an opportunity to engage with the material in a more hands-on, experiential way. Instead of just reading about the history and theory of black dance, students would have the opportunity to learn the techniques and choreography of different black dance styles, which would enable them to better understand and appreciate the cultural context in which these dances were developed. This can help to make the material more relatable and meaningful for students.
Incorporating black dance programs into Africana Studies programs at the collegiate level would provide students with a more well-rounded understanding of the African diaspora, allow them to engage with the material in a more hands-on, experiential way, and help to revitalize and invigorate the field of Africana Studies. Furthermore, it would be a counter to the racist attacks against African American studies by politicians like Ron Desantis.
UPDATE – July 2025: after two years of working at Lehman College, I can honestly say that integrating performing arts work into Africana Studies is the way to go! This past semester, I had the privilege and the honor to work very closely with the Africana Studies department at Lehman College. During Black History Month, I gave my first lecture series entitled “The art of LIBERATION: Dance As A Tool For Change.” This lecture featured the work of three dancers:
- Kathrine Dunham
- Pearl Primus
- Judith Jameson
This lecture was a good introduction for the Africana Studies students to have a lane into the performing arts through the study of history. The benefit of this experience is great dialog and conversation, rooted in understanding the importance of black creativity in a world that will not give you the safe space to be a creative.
