ACKNOWLEDGING HISTORY
We acknowledge that the core dances we teach, perform and share come from African American and Black culture, as does the jazz music we love. We acknowledge that we do so without lived experience of this culture and are deeply grateful to be able to experience this amazing art form.
We endeavor to continue educating ourselves about the historical, political and social context from which jazz and lindy hop grew, and in which it exists today. Understanding this helps us to honor the roots of the dance and music.
Here are some useful links for examining the history and social context of swing dancing and jazz music as art forms that originated in African American culture:
The More You Know Slides/Resources by Odysseus Bailer
How it Feels to be Colored Me by Zora Neale Hurston – someone on Sunday night wanted to share stanzas 11 and 12 with their breakout group
Anti-racism resources for white people – a document intended to serve as a resource to white people and parents to deepen our anti-racism work.
Jookin’: The Rise of Social Dance Formations in African American Culture by Katrina Hazzard-Gordon
Steppin’ on the Blues: The Visible Rhythms of African American Dance by Jacqui Malone
Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation by Jeff Chang
Blues Legacies and Black Feminism by Angela Y. Davis
Dust Tracks on a Road: An Autobiography By Zora Neale Hurston
The Big Sea: An Autobiography by Langston Hughes
The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X
The Language of Blues: From Alcorub to Zuzu by Debra Devi
Jazz City: The Impact of Our Cities on the Development of Jazz by Leroy Ostransky
Book List by Shelby Johnson – This is a Patreon page, there are a lot of interesting posts to check out on Shelby’s page
Book List by Damon Stone – Damon’s blog is also accessible via this link
Blues and Jazz Dance Book Club – private Facebook Group
European Library of Blues, Swing and Black Culture – run by Isabell Mugai and Rosie Myan-Keogh (UK)
Lindy Hop is a Black American Dance – by Laura Glaess, on YouTube
Frankie Manning: Never Stop Swinging
JoYsS Youtube Channel – Dancer (Swing and Blues)
Dawn Hampton and John Dokes at Frankie Manning Memorial
Harriet (2019) – biopic about Harriet Tubman, a ‘conductor’ on the Underground Railroad
Malcolm X (1992) – biopic that covers significant events/changes in his life from youth to death
Bamboozled (2000) – “A frustrated African-American TV writer proposes a blackface minstrel show in protest, but to his chagrin it becomes a hit.” Directed by Spike Lee
UK Jive – Vintage clip about Jive being introduced in the UK
Jive Dance – video that shows “elegancing” jitterbug for European ballrooms and presenting it as a jive
Unlocking Us – Brene Brown
Episode: Austin Channing Brown – Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness
Rachel Cargle – Do the Work series – https://www.ctznwell.org/ctznpodcast/rachel-cargle
Criminal – Podcast about true crimes; #142 is about Robert Smalls (slave who liberated himself)
1619 – Podcast about enslaved people in the US, historical, personal stories; by Nikole Hannah-Jones
Jack Dappa Blues Heritage Preservation Foundation – Run by Lamont and Denise Pearley (NYC) the foundation has plenty of articles pertaining to African-American culture and history, and a podcast about the blues and blues people. (Can also follow Facebook page)
Obsidian Tea – Blog by Grey Armstrong
Dance Communities and Time Travel – regarding the love of vintage and idealizing the Jazz Age
Swungover – Blog by Bobby White
Theatre Owners Booking Association (TOBA)
Dancing Star International – Resources for Lindy Hop by Deborah Huisken – Volume 2, Issue 1, At The Feet of the Elders
Tom Attah – UK based Blues Musician; lectures at Leeds Arts University about music
Damon Stone – Blues Dancer and Instructor
Exit Racism by Tupoka Ogette (German) (author also has a podcast)
Was Weiße Menschen nicht über Rassismus hören wollen, aber wissen sollten by Alice Hasters. (excellent anti-racism reading for a German context, author also has a podcast)