Sometimes, we feel it because it’s electric. Other times, we follow precise directions to kick four times and then walk it out yourself. Why do line dances hold such a hold on the Black community?
It turns out Black folks and line dancing go way back. Dance has been an essential part of many African cultures for centuries. When our ancestors were unceremoniously ripped from their homes and brought to the U.S., they kept hold of the dances that were so ingrained in their culture.
The enslaved used dance as a form of expression that celebrated their heritage and fostered community and resilience. Even in secret, line dances were an act of resistance in their own way. That celebration and community traveled down through the generations.
Fast forward to today, and we find line dancing has evolved in Black social gatherings. From the Soul Train line to the pull back and ground slap of the Electric Slide to the funky sway of the ChaCha Slide, these dances became a way to bring people together.
We have fun with them, and shakin’ ass is always fun. Still, the line dances that we create today and have been doing for decades continue a long-standing tradition that has always been a way of celebrating, uplifting, and bringing community together.