Anti-racism in dance culture PART 1

Racism is a problem that exists deep within the structures of our society. Racist structures are visible and alive and well also within our dance communities. These structures are not going dismantle themselves and it is the responsibility of the people, organizations and business’ working with dance to recognize racism and it’s effects as well as use anti-racist tools and methods actively in their strategies.

SADE ry is organizing a platform for lectures on the topic “Anti-racism within dance” in collaboration with Sophia Wekesa and Tiivistämö. The aim of the lectures is to increase the understanding of people on the racist structures within dance communities and to offer tools to further anti-racist work on different platforms within dance.

We organized the first lecture in Finnish in July 2020 but due to a lot of requests we are bringing the first lecture back in English so that also people who don’t speak Finnish can participate. Now is also a perfect chance for you to get a reminder on the things we went through on the lecture in July, perhaps your process has evolved since?

This time we are bringing you TWO lectures. The first lecture (PART 1) on Sunday 8.11. builds your understanding and the second lecture (PART 2) on Saturday 21.11. is a follow up building on the first lecture. Therefore you MUST take the first lecture before taking part in the second lecture.

IMPORTANT: You must take the first lecture to attend the sequel (lecture part 2). For us to know whether or not we can make the lectures happen you must pre-register for BOTH lectures, preferably as soon as possible. Pre-registration is binding, link below.
https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSeH…/viewform…

SOPHIA WEKESA:
Sophia Wekesa is a Helsinki based performer, dancehall dancer, dj and the Head of Self Care of the Ruskeat Tytöt media.
Sophia has lectured and facilitated discussions on anti-racism, whiteness and allyship to various different operators from social work professionals to arts students.

Previously she has worked at the Tyttöjen Talo as the head of culture sensitive girlwork. The heart of youth work was the discussion and practice of anti-racist methods as well as having safer spaces be included in the low-threshold activities.

As a dj Sophia is a part of the Mellow Yellow -club and a member of a collective under the same name. The core of their work is to further safer, discrimination and harrasment free club culture in Helsinki.
“The dance scene has been deliberating on for example cultural appropriation for years and now at the latest a broad conversation has been sparked on how we can dance, teach dance and be involved in our dance styles that originate from the cultures of black and brown people without intervening in racism and dismantling it. The will to participate in anti-racist work exists but one of the most focal reminders within anti-racist work is that intention<impact. Anti-racist thinking requires a lot of unlearning of the norms that we have been raised and educated into. So we are organizing a lecture for dancers to offer them to dig into and dismantle structures and mechanisms as well as offering tools for emotional work and deliberation on how to build your own actions of allyship.<br/>You are warmly welcome to join!

PS. You may join even if you’re not a dancer.”

WHAT: Lectures “Anti-racism in dance culture” parts 1 & 2
HOW: You MUST pre-register and also make sure you have taken lecture PART 1 before attending the lecture PART 2.

PRE-REGISTRATION:
link on the right (kotisivu) >>>

PRICE: 35€/lecture

If you have any questions please email: sini.tuominen@sadefinland.fi