Reflection of Concepts Learned
Dance can be described as the expression that moves rhythmically to music. It is also defined as the vehicle that has the power of uniting the mind, body, and soul. Dance is further explained as a nonverbal means of communication in a universal language that allows expression of abstract idea and emotion through emission of an energy that can be felt or recognized by the affected observer (O’Cadiz 2). On most occasions, dance is viewed to have the power of transcending boundaries of culture, and speaks to people on a deep spiritual levels. To understand dance better, it is important to also understand culture since both resonate together. In this regard, culture can be described as the customs, ideas, and social behavior associated to a particular group of people or a given society. Considering the different cultures of the world, the purposes and methods of dance strengthen the idea of unity among the human being despite the differences and diversities in culture.
One of the most important concepts I learned in this class is the as aspect of nationalism as a virtue strengthened by dance. After covering the Taiwanese modern dance, I got to learn the aspect of nationalism that is brought about by dance and culture. Although the Taiwanese modern dance receives major influences from Chinese, Japanese, and Western cultures, it remains one important element of culture that give the people of Taiwan a sense of nationalism (O’Cadiz 130). It is a dance that has been embraced by the Taiwanese and they embrace it as an important part of their nationhood, and not only their culture. Therefore, whenever the Taiwanese modern dance is presented, it is generally seen as an important element of culture that is associated with the people of Taiwan. The Taiwanese modern dance of often seen as a strong element of culture that helps many people across the country to embrace their nationhood. Considering that the Taiwanese modern dance culture is also blended with other cultures such as pop culture, it is apparent that it places the people of Taiwan as a whole on the world map. As a result, the element of nationalism of the people of Taiwan is enhanced as a society with a unique culture.
Another concept that I learned in this class is the black expressive culture that is evident in Afro-American dance. The culture of black expressiveness gained its influenced from the African culture, as early as during the times of slavery. After African slaves were brought in to work in plantations in North America, plantation dances started to emerge as the slaves engaged in songs and dances during their time of hard labor (O’Cadiz 99). Dance during the time of slavery was split into various streams. The first stream of dance of a kind of dance that the Africa slaves created for themselves during the few precious hours of secular and sacred celebration. In this first stream, it was more Africa based on the quality of movements and it featured body movements that the slaves had brought from their native communities in Africa. Therefore, for slaves that had been drawn from a specific region in Africa, the first stream characterized dance movement that were similar to those of the African region that they had come from (O’Cadiz 99). There was also the second stream in the dance culture of the African slaves in America, which had influences of the Europeans. In this second stream of dance culture, it is mainly identified as the dance of performance, which was different from the first stream that entailed dance of celebration. It is from these two stream that the culture of black expressiveness was born and later growing to influence the modern Afro-American dances such as Hip-hop dance.
Moreover, I learned of the concept of double consciousness that is strengthened through dance and culture. Double consciousness entailed the idea that the black people have a sense of duality due to the transatlantic slave trade. It simply meant that the black people in America always have some sense of always looking themselves through the eyes of others. In the dance and culture of the Afro-Americans, the influence of their historical encounters as a community placed a critical role in predetermining the kinds of dance culture that emerged from the black communities. I learned that there were major influences on the American dance. Although these dances become widely popular across the different races in America, it was apparent that African influences were present in creation of some of these elements of culture (O’Cadiz 115). For instance, the transformation of Jazz dance, as well as the emergence of Rock and Roll, and other types of dance cultures all through to hip hop dance culture, the historical experiences of black people had the most influence.
In summation, considering that different cultures of the world, the purposes and methods of dance mostly strengthen the idea of unity among the human being despite the differences and diversities in culture. As discussed in the context, I learned the aspect of nationalism as a virtue that is usually enhanced by dance. Moreover, I learned that black expressive culture is widely evident in Afro-American dance. Thus, considering the Afro-American culture, the idea of black expressiveness gained its influenced from the African culture, which is estimated to stem to as early as during the times of slavery. Lastly, through this class I had the opportunity to learn of the concept of double consciousness that is mostly enhanced by dance and culture. I realized that double consciousness entailed the idea that the black people have a sense of duality due to the transatlantic slave trade, as well as their historical encounters throughout the years.
Works Cited
O’Cadiz, Darlene. Dance & Cultural Diversity. United States: Cognella Academic Publishing, 2018. Print.