The history of African-American social dance - Camille A. Brown
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Why do we dance? African-American social dances started as a way for enslaved Africans to keep cultural traditions alive and retain a sense of inner freedom. They remain an affirmation of identity and independence. In this electric demonstration, packed with live performances, choreographer, educator and TED Fellow Camille A. Brown explores what happens when communities let loose and express themselves by dancing together.
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Meet The Creators
- Educator Camille A. Brown
- Script Editor Mia Nacamulli
- Title Designer Tolga Yıldız
- Narrator Camille A. Brown
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by TED-Ed
Social dance can be empowering. Reflect on and discuss this statement.
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Raylee or ginger Norman
Lesson completed
You can have fun while you dancing It can have a little run and a touch
Sebastiano Caputo
Lesson in progress
Social dance isn’t in itself that empowering but it is the way it was made and what it represents. The dance loses its empowerment if the meaning behind it isn’t there. Social dance itself represents culture and what the people had to go through. In this case most of these social dances were empowering because as a community it represented the times and trouble the African American community had to go through in the US (the US being the origin for these dances) it is also a way to connect with community in a positive way and learn more about heritage with others.
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Reuben Choorakkattu
Reuben Choorakkattu
, Ontario, Canada
Lesson completed
Social Dance is a unique way of expressing feelings and emotions. It was widely used during slavery to empower slaves during their struggles but after they were freed, it became a staple in many cultures' dance. Social dance has united very different cultures together, when dances such as the Charleston and the Twist were popular. Women of a variety of cultures now were brought together by the Charleston dance, as it was a popular dance to all.
Kevin D'Souza
Lesson completed
Social Dance is empowering. It is there to convey messages and emotions, to express the past in the present. It goes back through time into a bad time, which is still represented in a good way, where language is meaningless and its only conveyed throgh expression and movement, which everyone can understand. In my opinion, I feel that Social Dance can also be represented by any culture to show the past in the present, and it's a great thing that it started through the African- American community, as they have expressed it in a way that the dance has been popularized in modern day, and this can be done in other cultures, for more representation, and not just through food and landmarks in a culture.
Victoria Michael
Brampton, Ontario, Canada
Lesson completed
Social dances are not empowering because of only the dance itself, but what went into the dance. A dance is a series of actions and movements, the action is meaningless. It is the words behind the actions and the meaning being conveyed through the dance that is important. The history in the actions that you are doing is important, the people that you are dancing with are important, you are important, you are accepted and cherished. All that importance is empowering, because it gives you a sense of placement, when you know you belong, it empowers you, and so dance is empowering. The connection you feel with others is empowering, it means something different to every person, and the empowerment feels like something different to every person, but that is the beauty of it, social dance is a uniform that every person can shine in. It is an empowerment, and a crest that you're proud to display.
Amy Jigon
Lesson completed
Social dance can be empowering. Empowerment, what does it mean? Well on google it is stated to be the process of becoming stronger and more confident, especially in controlling one's life and claiming one's rights. Social dances are a group effort. Together as a group/community, we become stronger and more confident. People got their lives in order, felt that sense of power, inclusivity and freedom all through social dances. It is a way to connect with others, and share emotions and thoughts. It can lift your spirits, give you a sense of belonging. When I used to dance, I was so lazy and dreaded moving my body, but when there are people around you, with positive attitudes, I don't know, there's like a vibe which makes you want to join. This feeling of connection. United we are stronger, and with this sense of connection we work together to move mountains, simply by expressing ourselves through our bodies. Just like people say silence speaks volumes, so does social dance.
Erik Crowley
Lesson completed
Social dance is empowering because of the freedom, expression, connection, and emotion it allows in such simple things as movement. Each step can manage to convey statements and emotions to another person without a word. Social dances also often originate from a part of culture which can help connect to your culture and others. These dances can mean many things while saving the time of lengthy explanations and discussions provided it’s in the right context
Cheyenne Fernandes
Lesson in progress
Social dance can be empowering as they are a way of expression. Social dances can be influential, and cultural - which can help a community to deeply understand their culture. We can dance together to empower eachother to learn about our own cultures, and the social dances tat contribute to our traditions today. By joining together, we can help to connect eachother together, and learn more about our own heritage.
Kalina ML
Lesson completed
Social dance is empowering.
A social dance is a dance created and done by a group of people. Everyone who knows the steps influences the dance in some way and is part of the group. This gives everyone a sense of community and togetherness, which is very empowering, since strength comes when people come together.
For example, imagine going to a party and seeing everyone dancing together, the same move. You see people cheering each other on, singing the song, and overall having a good time. These people probably don't even know each other, and they all can bond over one dance move. Imagine going to other parties that are the same, everyone happily dancing the same dance, letting loose together. Imagine seeing this dance on social media, everyone dancing together without ever interacting. That kind of strong community is something that bonds us from our core. We lift each other up, connect with each other, encourage each other, empower each other, over one dance.
Gabriel Jubran
Lesson in progress
Social dances are a way to express your feelings and emotions. You normally perform a social dance with a group of people with the same feelings and intents. When this social dance spreads across social media, it shares it’s significance with others which can lead to others joining the trend because they want to help make a difference. Social dances can also build strong friendships and relationships with people who want to make a difference. This is why social dances can be empowering.