October 2021

A The minority activism network doesn’t believe an all-male dance troupe should be raked in the coals for its divisional costume, saying the context doesn’t make blackface attire “a racial thing.”

The Britannia Coconut Dancers received support from the Lancashire minority advocacy group BME Network after the John Morris Organization, the dancers’ parent company, decided the troupe could not continue to wear the costumes, part of which required the dancers to wear black face paint. LBN said the historical background shows the dancers’ blackened faces are not intended to be offensive, saying face painting is part of “a rich cultural tradition linked to Lancashire”.

“In the past, when I worked on similar topics, I never saw them as a racial thing at all,” said Jonathon Prasad, project manager for the network. Daily mail. “We think communities should come out and really ask questions about why people blackface.”

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The JMO decided last year that its dance members would be required to stop darkening their faces because the paint “has the potential to cause deep injury.” The Britannia Coconut Dancers refused the JMO requirement and parted ways with the organization soon after.

While the exact origins of the troop’s costume are unclear, one theory Explain by Prasad argues that “the factory workers who were quite poor had to earn extra income, so one of the things they did was paint their faces black so their employers wouldn’t know that they dance for extra money, “adding that it is” also related to a whole pagan ritual also about not wanting to be attached to evil spirits. “

Other incidents around the world in which people have appeared publicly in blackface have drawn criticism. A staff member from an elementary school in the United States was put on leave last month after wearing blackface to work, and politicians such as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Virginia Governor Ralph Northam is facing calls to quit after photos were posted allegedly showing them in blackface years earlier.

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Britannia coconut Dancers held her first performance since her split from JMO on Sunday, dancing in Lancashire for around five hours. Gavin McNulty, the troupe’s secretary, called the performance and audience participation “a big success.”

The Washington Examiner has contacted LBN, JMO and the dance group for comment.

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Key words: New, Dancing, Activism, the diversity, Race and diversity

Original author: Asher notheis

Original location: Raked on the coals: Minority activists defend a black-faced dance troupe inspired by British coal mining

For people with disabilities, the restrictions imposed by the pandemic may have been doubly difficult.

“The pandemic has isolated us all – once we get through that, a lot of us will come back to sort of normal,” said Andrea Johnston, who leads the All Abilities Dance Troupe with local dance teacher Tasha Bryant. “For people with disabilities, isolation can be a constant reality. Community bonds are vitally important to our health and well-being – to all of us. “

That’s why the All Abilities dance troupe is excited to host their first in-person class in October, after a year spent meeting only through Zoom.

Before COVID, the group ran classes every month at All Saints Anglican Church. When they had to switch to online classes, it was more difficult for leaders and dancers to engage.

“We’ve pivoted both literally and figuratively by running courses on Zoom,” Johnston said. “Then last fall there was a reprieve in the restrictions and we got together for an outdoor class. We were so happy to reconnect and dance. Then we were closed again.

As always, classes are free and welcome to anyone wishing to dance together, regardless of their level of dance skill.

“It’s for anyone who wants to get up and move their body together. We all have so much fun and spend half the time laughing, ”said Bryant. “It has been such a pleasant and enriching experience. I have made so many amazing relationships with people who come from different walks of life.

The next class will be on Friday, October 15 at 4 p.m., masked and physically distanced, in the courtyard of the Huntsville Festival of the Arts Studio across from River Mill Park.

The troop has been together, with members coming and going every year, for almost seven years. The group is made up of over 30 people of all skill levels who come together for the love of dancing and over the years have participated in many events in Huntsville.

Although they partner with Community Living Huntsville to bring their clients into the troop, the group has many non-disabled people including business owners, board members, teens and seniors.

The troupe is grateful for the support of the Huntsville Festival of the Arts, Community Living Huntsville and the Muskoka Dance Academy.

Follow the All Abilities dance troupe Facebook page for updates on this event and future performance.

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