by Lewis J Whittington for The Dance Journal The groundswell of solidarity across racial lines for the Black Lives Matter movement has galvanized the national push for police reform in the wake of the brutal murder of George Floyd and other black men and women killed by police.  Even during a time of pandemic and near economic collapse, Americans are charged to confront what has plagued this country for 400 years – systemic racism. Indeed, [...]

by Lewis J Whittington for The Dance Journal On a frigid winter night in Philadelphia in 1993 at the Trocadero in Philadelphia, the dancers of the Pennsylvania Ballet launched the first or second (no one can remember) Shut Up & Dance benefit for MANNA, the organization that was delivering meals to people trying to survive HIV-AIDS. At the time, the dancers were grieving at yet another death of a colleague from a disease that had [...]

by Lewis J Whittington for The Dance Journal May is Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month but celebrations have been canceled because of social distancing and current stay-at-home restrictions. On top of all of the uncertainties, loss, and strife of dealing with the Covid-19 outbreak, Asian-American communities have had to contend with increasing incidents nationwide of harassment, violence, and racial hatred. In Philadelphia’s Chinatown district, even before the restrictions were in place in March, Asian restaurants were [...]