Dancing Between Redlines: Southern Black Dance During the Civil Rights Era
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Date
2023-05
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The Ohio State University
Abstract
This senior thesis examined Southern Black dance during the Civil Rights Era, an aspect of Southern culture often overlooked. This study examines how Birmingham's dance traditions benefit the community today. My approach to the work combined archival/historical research and oral history collection with findings represented, consulted, and transmitted through choreographic and artistic choices. To avoid reproducing familiar narratives of that era, I engaged in anti-racist working practices to honor the legacy of the artists involved. The study involved examining city archives, interviewing Donna Edwards Todd and Jacqueline Lockhart, and incorporating their stories into the artistic expression of the work. The resulting work featured movement inspired by popular line dances and Dixieland jazz. Including themes inspired by individual dancers' experiences, including the legacy of segregation and the ongoing challenges facing Black dancers. During the process, the concept of Sankofa was utilized to guide the process. Emphasizing the importance of drawing upon the past to inform present and future actions. The author intends to continue this research by exploring other regions of the South. The thesis offers valuable and insightful insight into an understudied aspect of Southern culture and a strong emphasis on community collaboration and honoring Black artists' legacy.
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Keywords
Civil Rights, Dance, Oral History, Archives, Alabama, Southern studies, Black Dance, Southern Artists