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Research in Dance and Physical Activity
[ Article ]
Research in Dance and Physical Education - Vol. 4, No. 2, pp.1-7
ISSN: 2586-1034 (Online)
Print publication date 30 Oct 2020
Received 31 Aug 2020 Revised 12 Oct 2020 Accepted 16 Oct 2020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.26584/RDPE.2020.12.4.2.1

Embodied Liberation: Envisioning and Manifesting a Better World through Dance

Megan Minturn1 ; Kimani Fowlin2, *
1New York City Department of Education, USA, Dance Teacher
2Drew University, USA, Assistant Professor

Correspondence to: *Email address: kimanifowlin@gmail.com

Abstract

Why use dance for liberation? How do we embody liberation, envision radically, and manifest a better world? Dancer, anthropologist, and educator Pearl Primus responds, “Why do I dance? Dance is my medicine. It's the scream which eases for a while the terrible frustration common to all human beings who because of race, creed, or color, are 'invisible'. Dance is the fist with which I fight the sickening ignorance of prejudice” (Boyd, 2018). This paper describes a dance-in-education curriculum designed to encourage students to respond to these inquiries using Primus’ words as a catalyst. Calling upon historical examples of dance being used as an instrument for social change and the tenets of culturally responsive pedagogy, the curriculum aims to build a foundation from which dance students can further build agency and engage in advocating for a more just world.

Keywords:

embodiment, liberation, dance, education

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