UTHRT: THE RIGHT TO DANCE!

My dancing journey started in Dakar, the capital of Senegal. Like all African Francophone cities, Dakar was born to an African mother and French father. The city was the fruit of a colonial relationship based not on love but for convenience. As a result, it grew up with a perpetual identity crisis as it tried to reconcile its African and French heritage.

Today, Dakar is a vibrant city, growing in size and population. Its geographic location exposes it to the World's cultures. Yet, the city still has an inferiority complex toward its father. Although the latter adores his oldest son Paris whom he believes is the World's most beautiful city.

Dakarois are the habitants of Dakar. Most of them come from the West African region to settle temporarily. Yet, people stay indefinitely to pursue dreams with no ending sights. They embrace the city in its diversity but still carry nostalgic memories of their villages. They have one thing in common. They love Dakar and want it to reflect the image of a Teranga. Thus, they organize festivities to offer a smokescreen on the city’s challenges.

The festivities in Dakar range from seasonal soccer activities, Simb-Gainde Ndiaye ritual ceremonies, Sabar gatherings, Laamb wrestling matches, and dance activities. As a result, youths of the same block occasionally organize dancing parties called "Bal." to celebrate special occasions and holidays. The boys and their friends get together to make monetary contributions. They hire a DJ with a music sound system, rent chairs, and buy food and drinks. And, they invite their girlfriends and their friends. It is a way for them to follow a tradition left by their elders, who organized “Bals” and danced to the popular music tune of their time.

So, growing up in Dakar, I witnessed generations of dancers organize “Bals”. They dressed to the vogue and danced to their favorite music bands and musicians. As a child, I saw my parents, uncles, and aunts dance to the rhythm of Cuban music with Aragon Orchestra, Star Band De Dakar, Rock & Roll with Elvis Presley, and Swing with Count Basie Orchestra. Also, I saw my older brothers and sisters dance to the tune of Disco with Boney M, Soul with James Brown, Reggae with Bob Marley, and afro-rumba with Orchestra Baobab. While I sat near the dance floors, I watched them dance. Later, I joined them and learned that each dance requires basic steps.

In my youth, I danced to the rhythm of Zouk with Kassav, Soukous- Rumba with Papa Wemba, Rap with 2 Pack, and Mbalack with Youssou N'Dour. I needed little to master my elders' dances as I learned by watching them dance. Also, in Dakar, dancing was part of life. People danced when they talked and walked. They danced in their prayers, funerals, and celebrations. Dancing was another way communities expressed their feelings.

Therefore, our ancestors understood that a body that hosted emotions needed a way to release them. They believed dancing was one way to get rid of bad energies and keep our bodies healthy. So, they advocated that people had the Right to Dance.

The law insider defines Dance legally as "movements selected and organized for aesthetic purposes or a medium of expression….". That means any dance must be a movement of the body or a vehicle of expression to pass the legal test. Dancing can be solo or with a partner. Today, despite the diverse forms of Dance, it is accepted that all Dance forms comply with five fundamental elements: body, action, space, time, and energy. Therefore, I define Dance as a body in motion into a space, responding timely to a sound and expressing a personal feeling. 

Moreover, based on factual studies, many scientists and sociologists accept the verdict that dancing has many benefits. The benefits are our mental and physical health and social well-being. Dancing uses our brain to coordinate movements. It also allows our hearts and muscles to exercise through the movement of our bodies. Finally, dancing creates a floor for a peaceful assembly and freedom of expression where people meet, socialize and create a community. Thus, dance is good for our health. 

When I arrived in Chicago in 2001, I carried my love for dancing with me. I also accepted that the U.S. Constitution guaranteed individuals a right to the pursuit of happiness. Yet, I knew behind any right lay a duty. So, I chose dancing as one of my ways to pursue happiness.

As a newcomer in America, I was fortunate to be invited to American parties. I learned that they were different from African parties, especially the “Bals”. American parties have different connotations. Generally, people get together at a friend's house called the host. When they arrive at the host's house, they bring food and drinks with them to share. They sit or stand in the living room. They eat, drink, talk to each other, and make new friends with music playing in the background. I was grateful for being invited to those parties. They opened my eyes to a new way of life. Yet, I missed dancing. So, I went to look for open dance floors around the city of Chicago. As wisdom ordains, it is up to a thirsty man to look for the well, not the other way around.

The city of Chicago offers diverse dance venues because of the town's diverse population and cultures. Therefore, dance lovers may dance to the rhythm of Blues, Salsa, Meringue, Cumbia, Disco, Balkan, Tango, Swing, Techno, Reggae, Bollywood, Celtic, Punk and African; in venues such as: Nightclubs, Dance Schools, Bars, Churches, Community Centers, Yoga Center, Hotels, Schools, and Private Houses. Yet, my favorite place amongst them is the Palm Court Drake Hotel.

The Palm Court Drake Hotel is located at the Drake Hotel. It offers entertainment with live music and a dance floor every weekend on Fridays and Saturdays. The space is grand, beautiful, with high ceilings. The floor is on white marble. The room also has a water fountain in the middle with flowery hat and tables and chairs all around for guests to sit and have a drink. The architecture of the place blends the old and modern times, attracting people from different ages, professions and backgrounds. The environment is cordial and bohemian. It is an ideal place for people seeking la joie de vivre.

The live music and dance at the Palm Court start around 9 pm. People I meet there are always well-dressed. They look forward to dancing with other dancers. The hotel patrons create an environment of peaceful assembly. In return, they expect their customers to reciprocate by buying food and drinks. Yet, it is not mandatory. It is an understanding. The atmosphere at the Palm Court is unique in many ways, as it permits one to dance to the live music and socialize with friends during music bands’ breaks. In most venues, DJs play the music without a break. The music is loud; thus, no room for conversation.

Despite the diversity in background, profession, and age, as you converse with people, you learn they have two things in common, a love for dancing and life. So, as you dance into the years at the Palm Court Drake Hotel, you end up belonging to a community of friends. Each year you pause for a family photo which ends up as an evidence of your dance memories into a Facebook post.

At the Palm Court Drake Hotel's dance floor, you meet different groups of dancers. Among them are the debutants: They are nervous as you dance with them. They look on the floor to see the movement of your feet. Their body movements are tight. Their timings are off, and their hands shake. Yet, your duty as a dancer is to welcome and remind them that the sole purpose of the dance is to have fun. Then, you encourage them to look into your eyes. Due to the fact when it comes to dancing, one must follow your partner’s eyes, not the feet. Further, you ask them to embrace their missteps and learn from them. In the end, with time, they will be better dancers.

Also, you meet the impostors: For them, dance is the end to a means. The imposters invest time and money to learn how to dance. They believe in dancing, they will find a girlfriend, eventually a future wife or a boyfriend, or a husband. So, when you ask them for a dance, they may refuse to dance with you, if they don’t see you as a potential one. Or, if they decide to dance with you, they may do it with nonchalance. They don’t enjoy dancing as they constantly compare themselves to other dancers. Whenever they see a natural dancer they often get frustrated, and when they see a debutant, they turn into a dance teacher. In the end, if their investment pays fruit and they achieve their goals by finding a mate. They may stop coming to dance events or they only dance with their partner. So, they demand the latter to ask for permission before dancing with other dancers. Otherwise, they display jealousy, anger, and tantrums as they are insecure and full of fears.

Moreover, you meet the Nostalgic. The nostalgic are elderly ladies and gentlemen. They have been coming to the Drake Hotel for decades. They are always well dressed and sit at their table with a smile. They used to be in the spotlight. Yet, today they are content being anonymous. With confidence, they hope to have a dance, a good time, and go back home happy. I take the time to acknowledge their presence, invite them for a dance and learn from their wisdom. As I learn from them, dancing becomes another journey to the past. Where one remembered a husband or a wife who left too soon, an ex-boyfriend or ex-girlfriend who left a scar in one beautiful heart, or a regret of letting a precious love story escape between one finger because one was too afraid of being judged by one peer. Yet, I often wonder if I can add a little joy or a smile to the nostalgic hearts. So, I tend my hands toward them and ask, “May I have a dance?”

Finally, you meet the Natural Dancers: The natural dancers understand the meaning of dancing. Dancing comes naturally to them. They see dance as a body movement that allows you to express yourself. So, they follow the basic steps of any form of dance. Yet they openly bring their own touch into the dance. They extend hands to all dance community members without prejudice, and they welcome them with a dance. For them, to dance is a journey of expression. And the reason why they dance lies in their desire for freedom. 

Yet, like many rights printed on white papers with black inks, the Right to Dance does not go without challenges. And often, the challenges come from individuals, some religious leaders, city officials, and state legislators. At the Palm Court Drake Hotel, although the environment was welcoming. The dance floor was not always smooth and accessible. Individuals challenged my Right to Dance. Among them were two servers. A Caucasian Eastern European male who took the liking to bump on me as I danced, and a female African American who constantly harassed me for not paying enough for drinks. I confronted them one by one. Then I told them to stop; otherwise, I would complain to their managers. They realized I was ready to fight for my rights, so they stopped and left me alone. Also, a female of Asian descent asked me whether a table was available. I responded I did not know as I was not a worker but a dancer. On other occasions, South American tourists and American interstate business travelers in the U.S. asked whether the hotel paid me to dance. I responded. No, I just love to dance.

As I share these stories, I want to remind people when it comes to people's ethnicity and race; I am blind. I believe there is only one race, the human race. Yet, I used these stories to point out against prejudices, racialization, and generalization. I also wish to emphasize that any person who believes that sanctity or evilness is the monopoly of one race, religion, or class is wrong. As for me, you find good apples (people) and bad ones wherever you go. The only thing you can do is enjoy the company of the good ones and ignore the bad to the extent possible. As life is short, you should not waste it on futilities. Yet, you just love yourself.

Furthermore, during my research on the Right to Dance, I learned that in the United States, some city and state officials used their power to restrain people's Right to Dance. They required licenses, permits, or enacted laws to infringe on the Right to Dance. A Vice Article called "All the Times in American History that Authorities Tried to Stop People from Dancing" by Anna Codrea-Rado, published on March 6, 2017, stated that during the 1920’s states such as Georgia passed the "Blue Laws" prohibiting certain activities on Sundays. The city passed a law preventing dancing "In any public place on the Lord's day, commonly known as Sunday." Further, in 1980, in the rural town of Elmore City, Oklahoma, representatives of the city came up with restrictions on dancing based on moral grounds. Even today, regulations such as "The cabaret Law" in New York City have been used since 1920 to target dance lovers and same sex couples.

Likewise, today, dancers are victims of stigmas and prejudices in a certain part of the world. Despite the satisfaction, people get to watch them dance. Some view dancers as outcasts. They perceive them as low classes, sinners, or prostitutes in certain countries.

So, in certain cultures, people who choose dancing as a profession may see their families disown them, and government officials enact laws to prohibit them from dancing. In his article called "Countries that Banned Dance" in Backdrops, Charles H Steward cited countries such as Germany, which banned dancing during Easter weekend and Christmas eve as "a respectful act for the holidays." Also, in Kuwait, laws prohibited dancing even at concerts. Another country he mentioned was Japan, which banned dancing to prevent "Hot Beds for Prostitution" and demanded that clubs apply for dance permits. I often restrain myself from judging a country I did not put afoot yet. But, as Voltaire said, "let us read, and let us dance; these two amusements will never do any harm to the world."

To the question, whether the Right to Dance should be considered as a human rights issue, I will say yes. Considering the fact that dance is legally defined as a “medium of expression”. Therefore, denying any person or community the Right to Dance would be equivalent to denying them their rights to the freedom of expression, which goes against Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (“UDHR”) that stipulates “everyone has freedom of opinion and expression.” Further, in all venues I went to, dance lovers get together peacefully and enjoy themselves. So, I may view any law that goes against dancing as a violation of Article 20 of the (“UDHR”) that states “everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.” Moreover, these same rights are guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution.

As a result, we must not take our rights for granted. The fight to preserve them is not seasonal but an endless battle as there are always unhappy individuals, extremist puritans, and city and state officials who indulge in ways to limit our rights to the pursuit of happiness. So, we must fight to defend our rights, such as the Right to Dance. As for many of us, dancing is not solely an act but a spiritual and a therapeutic journey. Also, we must fight so that the government can use more of our tax money to fund dance ensembles, dance programs in schools, and senior citizen centers. That will help professional dancers avoid starving and save us health costs as a society.

With time in Dakar. I witness many generations of dancers leave the dance floor of their youth, never to come back. Like the ocean waves, they drift far from the dance floors and land at the shore of mosques and churches to seek the keys to heaven. Because some religious scholars convince them that dancing is a sin. They resolve to stop going to the “Bals” of Dakar as it is the best way to repent.

In Chicago, Palm Court Drake Hotel dance floor closed with Covid-19. Despite the vaccine, it was never the same again. I stopped seeing most people I used to meet every weekend. They receded into their private lives. I called some of them to inquire about their well-being. Others we kept in touch through Social Media. Yet as the pandemic persisted, we all accepted the facts that Palm Court Drake Hotel and Dancing were the backbones of our friendship.  

As I pursue my dance journey, I reveal to my fellow friends my wish to dance until I die. And, I hope they stand by my side as I lay on my deathbed and cannot talk. Then, they respectfully remind whoever is in charge to put on the music of my liking and allow me to move my head, eyes, fingers, and toes. So, I can have my last dance with death and die a sinner if it is what it takes to uphold my Right to Dance.

Sincerely,

Alpha