06/08/2020
The JMDC Leadership Team stands in full support of this letter in conjunction with former Faculty of Joy of Motion Dance Center. We are outraged by the senseless acts of violence of Black people at the hands of police officers, along with the systemic racism and marginalization of the Black community evident in our economic and social institutions.
Unfortunately, the Joy of Motion Dance Center did not rise to the call of justice and dishonored the diversity of their staff and students with their initial public statement last week. The Joy of Motion leadership team refused to communicate a commitment to social justice, Black Lives Matter, and explicitly condemn any matters related to racism and discrimination in our nation. Instead, the insensitive social media post skirted the issues at hand and did not truly stand with the Black Lives Matter movement.
JOMDC has made a public apology since then condemning its ignorance and lack of support for the voices who speak out against racist forces through art and advocacy in our society. Unfortunately, this is not enough! We call for immediate changes to Joy of Motion’s Board of Directors to include diverse voices in leadership so that we move the needle in dismantling anti- Blackness in art and we accelerate the field of dance’s long journey towards justice. Clearly, the voices at the top are out of step with the reality of our nation’s long-standing history of the denigration of Black and Brown communities and the devaluation of Black dancers and choreographers to promote a white supremacist agenda.
The JMDC Leadership Team is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in dance. Further, we support Black voices and fight against misconceptions of Black dance and Black culture. Due to this, the Juanita Maria Dance Company will no longer rehearse or perform at Joy of Motion Dance Center until substantive changes are made to the Board Leadership to foster diverse perspectives in dance programming and implement meaningful policy to include, preserve, and support Black voices.
Black.Lives.Matter.
