Black History Month Surges with Power: A Creative Writer's POV

Advanced Hip Hop's performance.

Black History Month rooted from America and was first known to be ‘Negro History Week’. Created by Carter G. Woodson in 1926, this aimed to honour African Americans’ contribution towards US history. However, it was only in 1976 when it became a month-long celebration.

On the 26th of October, the university’s dance society held a fundraiser to contribute towards the memorable moments carved in history by people like Claudette Colvin, who refused to move to the back of a bus, Rosa Parks, who refused to give up her seat on a bus, and Martin Luther King Jr, who encouraged equality and fought for the oppressed African-Americans.

These small, yet significant actions shaped the world that we know in this present day, which accentuates the idea that a small goal can achieve something that can be deemed phenomenal.

Of course, these aren’t all of the influential Black individuals who changed the views of society. If I were to name the rest, the list would probably reach the equator, or even space.

As a creative writing student and a member of the dance society, it was a joy to take part in an event that rejoiced monumental history in a multicultural gathering.

People of all ages and all ethnicities came together to watch performances from Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Latin, Afrostyles, Novice Hip Hop (which I performed in), and Advanced Hip Hop.

Being Asian, the fundraiser had a sentimental value since the negative experiences endured by the Black community felt relatable; therefore, it also became a rejoicing for equality itself in a manner of applause, smiles and cheers.

Just like writing, dance is another art of expression. How words flow on a page is like how movement creates meaning, resulting in a story. When a story is formed, the beginning, middle and end all congregate as one, which is imitated in dance – you have the start of the routine, the break dance and the end of the routine.

This is how I see dance. It creates a sense of oneness emulated within writing.

Of course, without music how can you create a routine? How do you go about thinking of rhythm without a beat?

In a way, this is a problem creative writers also face in terms of the rhythm of language. Most prose, especially poetry, integrate rhythm within the words – for example, the iambic pentameter.

Is the writing supposed to be rushed, or slow in terms of pace? How do line breaks affect the way prose is spoken?

These are all aspects of dancing that dancers worry about. When you think about it this way, dance and writing aren’t that different.

Historic moments are spread by writing about them, as well as word of mouth, which spreads the meaning and intention hidden underneath. Like a story, complexity is also present within intricate movements, similar to complex characters whose intentions aren’t always clear. Using art as a way to express isn’t always easy to analyse.

Since dancing is a fun sport, combining Black History Month with dance reiterates the feeling of joy within the Black community after these difficulties. And as writers, it is our choice whether this story will be told.

{#BlackHistoryMonth #CCCUdance #fundraiser}