Dancing with Men in prison

Working with men is entirely different and the same experience as dancing with women in prison. Both populations are compelling, grateful and wise, survivors; survivors of the most unimaginable and the most inspiring childhoods that led them to be incarcerated.

When I started Dance To Be Free I had to Google Jim Crow and Redling. That is embarrassing. I grew up on Long Island where we did not learn about the Tulsa Massacre or Levitt Town. I had to go to prison in Parchmen to learn about the rodeos prisoners are a part of in Mississippi and Louisiana. We have since been banned from dancing in Mississippi since the system is built on punishment versus healing. The line I was given, “The victims must be considered” was an excuse - an easy way out of rehabilitation. Rehabilitation involves the staff that are often equally as traumatized as the prisoners.