Dance! It's in Your DNA

Dance: It's in Your DNA is composed of three segments. In the first section of this book, the Sankofa approach is utilized. This entails looking back to history as a foundation for dance. This allows for a better understanding of the present in an effort to best shape the future. In the first segment of this publication, a snapshot view of the history of African dance and its relationship to the evolution of African American dance is explored. In the next section, segment, the state of African American health is reviewed to substantiate why moving and exercising, through dancing, matters. Current health challenges of African Americans are detailed. This book then examines the physical, mental and spiritual benefits of dance. These advantages can aid in circumventing health issues that are quite prevalent among Black people. The third segment of this publication presents responses from dancers regarding why they dance. Dancers share their impressions of the benefits, challenges, and experiences that are associated with the art. This section concludes with a special poem written by one of the Washington Park Senior Line Dancers. The Addendum provides additional information regarding Tips for New Dancers, Information regarding African Dances, and the Survey Instrument. Readers are also encouraged to use the pages that follow to consider their dance strengths, challenges and aspirations. Hopefully, each segment of Dance: It's in our DNA will inform readers about the role, evolution and continued importance of dance among African Americans. Ideally, this publication will encourage readers to continue to dance or to begin dancing!