A fusion of juke and ghetto house, the upbeat music blared as they hopped, jumped, and turned on the balls of their feet while keeping their upper bodies relaxed. This is footwork, Chicago’s Black dance of resistance.
Originating in Chicago in the late 1990s, footwork was an extremely energetic dance style. But for Black Chicagoans, the dance quickly became an embodied form of resistance to the city’s numerous systemic wars. A creative outlet turned lifesaving movement, footwork reminded people they were free in their bodies even when the world told them otherwise.
Although footwork has been a part of Chicago’s culture for decades, the city only recognized it this year. On July 24, 2025, Cook County officials signed a resolution declaring August Footwork Appreciation Month.
This recognition honors generations of Black dancers and their cultural impact on their city and communities. The hope is that by dedicating August to recognizing footwork, the dance style, culture, and community will continue to receive institutional support and respect.
How do we embody liberation? Whether on the dance floor or out in the world, we have the power to embody Black liberation as a form of resistance.