#KatherineDunham#BlackHistory #BlackDance #DanceIcon #OPRAHLegend

#KatherineDunham

#BlackHistory  #BlackDance #DanceIcon #OPRAHLegend

Excerpted from Spring 2002 #AfricanVoicesMagazine 

"Melony McGant: 

If you were speaking to our world leaders, what would you say?

Katherine Dunham: 

Well to most of them I would say: "You do not belong in a position of leadership. You have not overcome self. You don't really love humanity, yourself included. You are not a leader. 

Stop and look at it and study it, realize it and change it. Change yourself or step aside and help someone else take the position that you feel you are fulfilling but you're not." 

And I'd say: "Stop and think and don't try to put aside, or shut your eyes to those things that are showing you where you've made mistakes. 

Open your heart to these things inside and help. Be sure that your every breath, every thought, every movement, every deed is being helpful to someone or something. Be sure that you are honest and true."

 MM: And the United States?

 KD: The United States is a great big hypocrite bully. When you are power driven, you are bound to turn to destruction and violence.

MM: What do you want to tell my generation and the children? What should we be doing?

KD: You should be Aware. And of course always be Forgiving. And I would say Be Gving. Know How to Receive and How to Give. Be sure that both are operating always in your life.... "

About Miss Katherine Dunham... 

Anthropologist, choreographer, writer and humanitarian Katherine Dunham has been called a visionary, a pioneer, & was a living legend. 

She was a major force in dance, and is best known for incorporating African American, Caribbean, African, and South American movement style themes into her ballets. 

She has appeared in more than 57 countries around globe, received recognition from UNESCO as well as heads of state, and is the recipient of hundreds of awards and honorary doctorates including the U.S. Presidential Award, Kennedy Center Honors, the Albert Schweitzer Award, Essence Magazine Awards, the National Black Theatre Festival Lifetime Achievement Award, and was one of Oprah's Legends.

Born 22 June 1909, Miss Katherine Dunham Ascended to the Heavens and Joined the Ancestors on May 21, 2006.  She Is Remembered with Love.

(c) #MelonyMcGant  Photo by #TyroneRasheed May 1, 2006.