Shange’s Visit to Barnard

I attended the talk in the Diana where Ntozake Shange discussed Black Dance. Her words were sto powerful as she described her experience in dance classes with some of the most renowned dancers during the Black Arts Movement. What stood out to me was Shange’s emphasis on the dancers Blackness and how that was not only an integral part to the movement and choreography but to the significance to the diaspora as well as the continent of Africa in the formation of new movements through these dance instructors and influencers. A point in the conversation that was very enriching was Shange’s description of Ottis Sallid and the way that his movement dispelled the stereotypes of a Black man as being a predator and intimidating. Rather, Ottis was gentle, meek, smart, graceful as a dancer who also interact physically with the female body. I think Black bodies and Black dance is so unique and special; but also so important to the healing process for Black people. As a Caribbean descent American, I am well familiar and take part in dance that feels freeing in the most intimate and physical ways with Black men. From dancehall to afrobeats, movement and the interaction of the Black male and female body. My experience recently going to The Shrine in Harlem felt like an epicenter for healing through the form of Blackness in dance and the intimacy of the Black male body interacting with others.  Shange’s remarks were so vivid and captured the importance of revering and survival of Black bodies and Black dance.