In my work, I teach people strategies to keep moving, even when unpleasant thoughts and feelings arise that make them want to stop.
In a movement class, as in life, when the discomfort of the present is too much, we shut-down, quit, crumble, or leave— sometimes never trying again. Maybe you have experienced this.
For some, being seen pushes them beyond what they believed they were capable of. We see this on stage, and even in class. For others, the potential of being seen is the very thing that causes them not to try at all. I've let timidity hold me back from being seen or having an opinion more times than I like to admit.
But when the stakes are high enough, stopping, or hiding, doesn't feel like an option. Determination is a universal human trait. It is a survival trait. Though determination is marketed to us as the key to personal advancement, we tap into it naturally when there's a deep personal significance. For instance, when you or a loved one's safety is threatened, or your very personhood has been assaulted for hundreds of years.
I'm using movement class language because I speak to people who care a lot about moving, the health of their bodies, and the freedom to move and be as they wish. We must remember that discrimination, oppression, and 'othering' happens to human bodies. Since the inception of 'America,' the bodily rights of black, brown, and indigenous people have been removed, and often ravaged, in extreme disproportion to white bodies. Would you raise hell if your bodily rights and basic health resources were stolen? I would.
This is a time to be seen and heard while standing firmly for what you believe in.
We can't grow as movers, or humans, if we don't show up, listen, learn the context of what we are engaged in, and put in work to change. But before showing up, we must realize that the choice to learn about what is happening, or not--and to speak up, or not-- is a privilege of itself. I am working on extending even more of what I value in dance and movement education into the world, and I hope you will too.
I've compiled a massive list of anti-racism and allyship resources. This list also includes movement and mindfulness resources so that my fellow teachers can re-consider how we do our work.
ANTI-RACISM RESOURCES and more...
First, here are some places you can immediately aid others and put your money to work:
DONATE:
Campaign Zero is offering the most comprehensive plan to end police brutality: “We can live in a world where the police don't kill people by limiting police interventions, improving community interactions, and ensuring accountability.”
Color of Change runs a number of powerful campaigns simultaneously (see how they got racist Go Fund Me’s removed, and helped deter plantation weddings)
List of black-led racial justice organizations operating at the local level
Two lists of funds to aid in bail funds around the country:
Memorial Funds for victims of police brutality
Black-owned businesses destroyed in the riots
Rachel Cargle’s Loveland foundation to help black women and girls get access to therapy and healing:
Modern POC vote suppression is still happening, this organization works to end it.
Then, learn what Native territory you are living and working on, and how to begin acknowledging it.
“Territory acknowledgements are one small part of disrupting and dismantling colonial structures.”
CONTINUE YOUR ANTI-RACISM EDUCATION: Read, Listen, Watch
SURJ has a LOT of great resources. Like this Characteristics of white supremacy Culture Article l
Opportunities for White People in the Fight for racial Justice: Read on to understand the difference between being an actor, an ally, or an accomplice? https://www.whiteaccomplices.org/
This comprehensive list organized by Black Lives Matter
This IMMENSELY HELPFUL document can serve as an entire syllabus:
ANTI-RACISM EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES FOR BUSINESS OWNERS
The Simple Dollar: How to Support Black-Owned Financial Institutions
Whiteness at work: Inequity Amplified: “Whiteness depends on us When we decide that we don’t need to continue being of service to this cause, (FREE WEB TRAINING JUNE 11, Register HERE)
yes! Magazine is a solid non-profit resource for solutions-based journalism on a number of issues. They have a free newsletter, a magazine, and many free articles on their site. Try this article about the language of anti-racism first.
75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice
This Panel Talk between Tara Houska, Alicia Garza, Zahra Billoo, Jidan Koon-Terry
Bridging to Belonging is POWERFUL
Watch “13th” by Ava DuVernay on Netflix for free:
Let’s Get to the Root of Racial Injustice by Megan Ming Francis
The Probelm of Othering: Towards Inclusivity and Belonging ( an online journal)
Implicit Bias by Melanie Funchess
50 years of Racism, Why Silence in Not the Answer by James A. White Sr.
“A Brief History of Race in America” by Lux Atl
A FEW IG ACCOUNTS TO FOLLOW:
Sonya Renee Taylor: https://www.instagram.com/sonyareneetaylor/?hl=en
Monique Melton: https://www.instagram.com/moemotivate/?hl=en
Rachel Cargle:https://www.instagram.com/rachel.cargle/?hl=en
Layla F Saad: https://www.instagram.com/laylafsaad/?hl=en
Staying involved doesn’t have to mean blasting ahead, nor does meditation mean ignoring what is happening. This list includes resources for movement teachers.
BLACK MINDFULNESS, MEDITATION, BODY POSITIVITY
and MOVEMENT LEADERS:
(Yes, angel is lower case). She was called “the most intriguing African-American Buddhist” by Library Journal. angel writes on the intersection of meditation and social action. She has a large library of audio and written content on her website
Sebene says, “I explore the themes of belonging and identity through meditation and spirituality.
Click her name to read her article on productivity vs. presence
Listen to what she had to say on Dan Harris’ 10% happier podcast the other day
Healer, author, trauma specialist. Of particular interest to movement teachers, he offers a free course to “abolish white body supremacy”
Lama Rod Owens: Black, queer, Dharma teacher, from the US south. Co-author of Radical Dharma: Talking race, Love, and Liberation. Read ‘Protest is My Spiritual Practice’
(He was also on Dan Harris podcast the other day)
Author of “The Inner Work of Racial Justice” (I really like this book). You can also find articles, guided meditations and podcasts on her website
Runs Mindfulness For the People, and organization working to disrupt “systemic whiteness in the mindfulness movement”.
@angelaroseblackphd
@mindfulnessforthepeople
Nityda Gessel: Nityda is trauma conscious yoga instructor, who is also a high-school dance friend
Read her articles such as this one on when breath becomes a trigger:
Jessamyn stamey:
I love Jessamyn’s humor and realness. She is a yoga educator and body-positivity advocate who teaches how to work with ALL bodies. https://mynameisjessamyn.tumblr.com/
**These may say ‘for yoga teachers’, but really, these kinds of trainings are for all movement teachers, the yoga world just offers more online...
Diversity Training for Yoga Teachers (any movement teacher)
Inclusivity Training for Yoga Teachers:
THESE BOOKS***
Learn about how the body is “the main site of oppression” in our society, and what that may mean for people dealing with, and speaking about bodies.
READ ABOUT AN IMAGINED, BEAUTIFUL PRO-BLACK FUTURE:
I used to be a strictly non-fiction/memoir person. But several years ago, when I became aware of the Afro-futurism genre, my hard-stance on what I’d spend time reading changed.
If we can’t imagine it, we can’t create it.
Why Afro-futurism matters:
https://blog.lareviewofbooks.org/essays/afrofuturism-matters/
https://link.medium.com/E7xZvUV026
Some books to get you started:
Also check out:
Author of Pleasure activism and Emergent Strategy