Racial Equity and Dance: An Artist’s Testimony

Posted on June 19, 2013 by TJ

Last week I joined 500 dancers, presenters, service organizations, agents and dance companies at Dance/USA’s 2103 annual conference in Philadelphia, PA. In addition to conducting two racial equity trainings and providing on-site consultation to service groups and professionals, I was treated to fantastic performances from the Lady Hoofers, Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers, PHILADANCO and several other Philadelphia dance companies. But I have to admit that for me, the highlight was the opportunity to engage artists and others involved in the dance community on the issue of race. One participant, Merian Soto, agreed to share the insights from her experience with the Racial Equity training below.

Dear Tammy,

I wanted to thank you for your extraordinary Racial Equity Training workshop. The workshop and workshop materials are designed very effectively to insure full participation as well as sharing a wealth of information concerning the insidious nature of racism, It’s micro and macro manifestations, history, strategies for achieving racial justice, and imagining a future without racism. Tammy Johnson is an excellent workshop leader with clear command of her materials. Her calm and non- judgmental attitude and clear statement of goals and ground rules for the workshop allow for participants to discover their own truths within, to take personal responsibility.

Merian Soto at the Dance/USA Racial Equity Training

The workshop impacted me on various levels. I was surprised at how for a good many of the participants the information was new. It is important for the privileged to be aware of the insidious nature of racism and to remain vigilant and proactive in recognizing it and taking action to effect change. I loved Tammy’s emphasis on outcomes. Good intentions are fine but it’s the outcomes that really matter.

I learned a lot as an educator from the way the workshop was structured. Having us speak of our individual identities created a space for reflection on our highest/most truthful aspirations and sense of identity.The exercises built a sense of community. Also, I very much appreciated all the class materials.

Ms Johnson’s racism timeline that highlights its effects on dance is a powerful bit of research that should be more widely available.

From the very beginning, and at various points in the workshop, participants experienced aha! moments. At the end of the workshop many of us expressed a desire for more workshops of this nature. Actually, we spoke about longer workshops, perhaps a day-long workshop or weekend workshop. I certainly am interested in continuing to engage with this work.

Once again, thank you for your powerful work and generosity of spirit.

Best,
Merian Soto

Artistic Director, Merian Soto Performance Practice

Professor, Temple University, Esther Boyer College of Music & Dance

Forward Stance: Movement Work Redefined

Posted on February 21, 2013 by TJ

I’ve been there. The organizer rushing from one campaign training to the other; the policy wonk at the desk delving into legislation, reports and volumes of data; or the advocate preparing testimony and fact sheets for the next accountability meeting. At the ready for verbal combat at a moment’s notice, I was lost deep in my thoughts, my head disconnected from my body.

I suppose this is why I was so intrigued by an innovative approach to movement work developed by Forward Together. Based in Oakland, California, this organization takes on big issues by supporting the leadership of the people most affected by them. Issues like youth and sexuality; reproductive rights; the realities of modern-day family structures and the community services that fail to meet their needs. Forward Together makes it happen through a progressive analysis of race, gender, class and community that grounds their work—work that is conceptualized and actualized by a staff that is predominately women of color.

It is out of this microcosm that Forward Stance was developed. Putting the move in movement, Forward Stance is a tool that reconnects activists and advocates with what Forward Together calls “the physics of social change work.” That means getting out of our heads and into our bodies in a way that values the whole person and brings a different type of wisdom to our efforts. In the short video interview below, Forward Together’s Culture and Training Director, Dana Ginn Paredes explains the vision, core elements and the success of Forward Stance.

Dana Ginn Paredes, Culture and Training Director

Dana has worked for social justice organizations for over 12 years as a field organizer, trainer, national program director, organizing director, and training director. Her previous work to promote racial equity and healthy families within welfare policy led her to develop a strong interest in reproductive justice issues for women, youth, and communities of color. Since joining Forward Together in 2003, she has directed research to advance comprehensive sex education policy for California public schools, led electoral campaigns that advance reproductive justice, and initiated and overseen the development of Forward Together’s current youth and worker organizing projects and climate change initiative. Dana was a 2008 fellow in the National APAWLI Signature Program of the Center for Asian Pacific American Women, a 2008 participant of the CLEAR Executive Training Program of the Communications Leadership Institute, and a 2007 fellow of the Women’s Policy Institute. She also serves on the steering committee for the California Healthy Nail Salon Collaborative, and holds a BS in Political Science from the University of California at Berkeley.

9/11: Then and Now

Posted on September 11, 2011 by TJ

Note: On this 9/11 morning I realized that I deeply appreciated the silence around me. There can be great beauty and wisdom in silence. It allows you to just be. Silence reminds you that despite all that is going on in the world, sometimes the most powerful act is just sitting in your knowing, holding the space and being present for what is. Loving the silence. The essay below is taken from a 9/11/08 posting on Colorlines.com

My heart was filled with hope when I went to bed the evening of September 10. I had just returned from the UN Conference Against Racism in Durban, South Africa. Despite the infighting between Condoleezza Rice and Colin Powell about US participation, despite the false claims that the event was just an anti-Israel hate-fest, and despite all of the mismanagement of the Peopleʼs Conference, I walked away feeling that there was hope for humanity yet. I am terrible with names, but the faces and voices I heard the previous two weeks will live with me forever. These were people who had survived wars, midnight raids, treacherous border crossings and countless attacks on their very being. They had made it to South Africa—putting their heads and their hearts together with mine—to attempt to unravel the twisted race question that plagued our nations. I was so very grateful for the experience.

The reporterʼs voice jolted me awake on September 11. I couldnʼt quite believe my ears as the radio announcer described the plane hitting the Twin Towers. Seconds after I switched on my television, the second plane hit. My eyes watered. My heart sank. And hope seeped away.

What followed can only be described as a never-ending state of delusion and dysfunction that would last for days, months and even years. Doesnʼt Mike work near the Towers? Where is he now? Why do some victimʼs families get money and others donʼt? We are profiling whom now? We are at war with whom? Why do those men have to register with the government? I have to do what at the airport now? Are we at yellow or orange alert? And what exactly does that mean? Why is AT&T is recording my family gossip sessions? If the Senator is against the war, why isnʼt he for bringing the troops home now? Like good soldiers in the army of justice, we all kept pushing forward with our campaigns for health care, immigrant rights, quality education and whatever the cause, all the while the madness kept swirling around us.

I woke up with a heavy heart this morning. Iʼm usually not one for sentiment, especially when its wrapped in government manufactured patriotism, electoral aspirations and deep collective denial. But beyond all of that façade is something real. There is real pain, real loss, anger and sadness. And there is a tremendous need for compassion. In the days after September 11, the US experienced an outpouring of compassion from people around the world. And it is in that moment in history that my hope is restored. After all, in many of these countries, especially those filled with black, brown and Asian folk, these were people who had been harmed by the policies of US. They had lost their livelihoods, their homes and love ones because of US backed sanctions, support of draconian regimes, or our failed economic schemes. But perhaps on that day, September 11, in our suffering, they saw a reflection of their own sorrows. And they mourned with us.

Itʼs a lesson that anyone who claims to be fighting for justice must remember. Having compassion does not mean that our nationʼs leaders should not be held accountable for the suffering that they cause. It is compassion that helps us to recognize the humanity of our enemy, so that in the process of pursuing justice we do not lose our own. Without this sea change, the solutions we offer will continue to be smothered by the atmosphere of hate. So on this day, I try to remember the warmth and support given to us by brothers and sisters across the globe. And in that remembrance my hope is restored.

Abundance

Posted on March 25, 2011 by TJ

Perhaps you are thinking: ¨This whole abundance thing is just some West Coast, New Age kooky idea that Tammy has hitched her cart, too.¨ Well, here’s the deal: Abundance, for me, has become a means of survival, a vital spiritual principle that gets me up in the morning, moves me through my day and adds fuel to my ability to be of service to my community. This sensibility does not come by accident. I am constantly reminded by hundreds of freedom fighters I have met over the years that progress does not require a grant proposal. I heard that from the sister from Bolivia who talked about her community´s successful campaign to keep their water rights out of the hands of a multinational corporate thief. I heard it from women in Durban, South Africa who demanded and gained entry to an anti-racism conference, and spoke their truth about the reality of HIV/AIDS in their lives. And in the midst of then-President Clinton’s welfare deform, I saw community members in Milwaukee step up to re-elect Gwen Moore to the Wisconsin Senate. That push back has resulted in now U.S. Congresswoman Moore facing down a right-wing agenda, being a national voice for reproductive rights and community services. I am also a realist. Yes, I have an electric bill to pay. But while doing what is right may have been the difference between steak or beans for dinner, it has never caused me to starve. Everything that I have experienced tells me that I have it within my means to be a positive force in my community and that I will be better for it. And I believe that the same can be true for any individual, project, program, organization or movement.