This paper discusses the reaction of the dancecommunity to the problem of AIDS: Deaths, awareness & activism, benefits and reasons for delay in dealing with crisis (denial, secrecy).
1,575 words (approx. 6.3 pages), 5 sources, 1994, $ 55.95
From the Paper "AIDS has been especially devastating to the dance community, both in terms of personal lives lost and talent the world will never see. Well into the second decade of the AIDS virus, we tally the losses and wonder who will be next. The roster of victims reads like a who's who of incomparable talent from the fields of musical theater to classical ballet. New AIDS help groups are formed continuously, as each field rallies in support of its own membership. Professions allied to dance, such as theater, fashion, and music, have responded by creating their own support networks for artists terminated in their most germinal years.
Promoting AIDS awareness and activism are groups such as Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC), AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP), and Community Health Project (CHP). They in turn have encouraged professions severely affected by AIDS to rally. Several groups have already taken steps to confront the epidemic. In the arts, the theater, fashion, and music .... "
Abstract This paper discusses the Indian culture's mask dance. The paper explains that the nation of India has a long history associated with dance as a form of communication and expression. The paper contends that dances are more than just a fusion of choreographic movements; dance in India represents a way of telling tales of historical events, passion, romance, and even tales of treachery and woe.
From the Paper "Dance in the culture has always represented some of the more inner reflections regarding the country's combination of historical turbulence mixed with the nation's religious and inner peace oriented factions such as Hinduism. "The Arts of India are the illustration of the religious life of the Hindus. Like their faith, the arts have been preserved for the past three thousand years, from change and decay, from foreign invasions, and from the fury of the nature. We owe its preservation to the future generations. For, it exemplifies how life can indeed revolve around the arts." (Kamat, 2004) In other words, dance in Indian culture is seen as more than just a fusion of detailed and non-meaningful movements; it is more a system for delivering aspects of the culture to the masses."
Abstract The paper is an in-depth study of the history of hip hop dance, from before and after the 1970s, and its effects on society. It explores how this type of dance is unlike other dance forms and the elements that make it up. There are no fixed forms to dance, but only styles. The rest is up to the dancer. It is a style of dance for all society giving the freedom to all to dance according to their desires. The paper also shows how hip hop is very much an American product. The hip hop trend enables the path for several dancers, and at the same time it also fosters and promotes more suggestive dance moves. The paper provides clear indications of the effects on culture; some hip hop is racist in theme, while others are sexist. Many hip hop musicians concentrate on such issues like social inequity and the dangers of heroin use. The conclusion is that hip hop is more than just music. It is becoming the soul of pop culture as never before, and steadily moving from the street corners and music videos towards usage in the fitness centers, dance studios as well as television shows.
From the Paper "Hip hop may be viewed as a culture and is often used to refer to commercial rap music, but hip-hop is not only music. It is loved by the American ghetto youth who claim that it is their method of self-expression and use hip hop to rise over their physical situations. The culture of hip hop has its roots based on truth, self-determination, courage and pride. This is the reason why it has grown to have its impact on almost every part of the world. (Hip-hop History) Some hip hop is racist in their themes, while others are sexist. At the same time, there are also many hip hop musicians who concentrate on such issues like social inequity and the dangers of heroin use. From its early days in the US, the music is being played in projects and some underground clubs, but, now it has achieved a profile that has led to include it in the 1992 presidential debates over Sister Soljah. In the 20th Century Fox movie, Bulworth, there is Warren Beatty playing a Senator who berates his opponents using rap. Hip hop, it would seem, has become a part of our lives. (Classified Hip-Hop or I wanna blow up like Marilyn Monroe's skirt) At the same time, hip hop is not only music. This form of dancing has become very popular and this is clear from the opinions of some experts. "There's a definite surge in the white neighborhood that wouldn't necessarily be exposed to hip-hop in their everyday life," says Keith Pinto, who is an MC and hip-hop dance teacher at the Dance Attack in Los Gatos, California. "They watch MTV, see other kids doing it and want to be a part of it. You can pretty much go to any dance studio in the Bay area and they'll have a hip-hop class." (Hip-hop dance fever)"
Abstract This paper introduces, discusses, and analyzes the book "My Own Country: A Doctor's Story of a Town and Its People in the Age of AIDS" by Abraham Verghese. Specifically, the paper looks at a couple described in the book who come to Dr. Verghese for treatment for AIDS and discusses what is interesting and important about this couple. Dr. Verghese's book is an emotional look at AIDS and how it can affect family, community, and even the physicians who care for AIDS patients.
From the Paper "Dr. Abraham Verghese is an Indian doctor who came to live and work in Johnson City Tennessee in 1985. Shortly before his arrival, the local hospital where he began to practice admitted its first AIDS patient, and almost overnight, an epidemic seemed to have smacked the small town in the Smoky Mountains. This book chronicles Dr. Verghese's encounters with his own AIDS patients, and how these people profoundly affected his life."
Abstract This paper examines historically social dancing in the 20th century, also called couple dancing. The paper describes the five different types: Modern Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Slow Foxtrot, and Quickstep, all of which are presently danced the world over both socially as well as in dance sport competitions.
From the Paper "Social dancing was derived from the concept of dancing by a couple, usually a man and a lady, in a closed hand. Coming from the eighteenth and early nineteenth century, these dances gained popularity from the standard ballroom dances with diverse rhythms, tempos, and aesthetics. Although all these aspects changed with the change in the social attitudes, the one thing, which remained common through out the history of dancing, is that of the couple dance or the social dances. (Evans 2001)"
Abstract This paper looks at the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the African-American and Latino communities. It particularly looks at women in those communities who suffer the most from the lack of services
provided for them. The writer offers statistics in this regard.
From the Paper "HIV AIDS is more prevalent in African-Americans and Hispanics. People of color in the United States are disproportionately affected by HIV AIDS in part because healthcare providers and educators do not understand the cultural values of these groups and do not provide them with adequate services related to HIV AIDS."
Abstract This paper explains that many dance traditions have originated in India and Indonesia, such as the Bharata Natyam from South India, which had an important historical and cultural influence on the history of India. The author points out that important elements of Hinduism, particularly the figure Nataraja, a form of Shiva, are expressed in Bharata Natyam. The paper relates that this dance, as well as many other religious dances, demonstrate the integral relationship between religious dances and the religious themes that inspire them.
From the Paper "Many dance traditions have originated in India and Indonesia, such as the Bharata Natyam from South India, which had an important historical and cultural influence on the history of India. Important elements of Hinduism, particularly the figure Nataraja, a form of Shiva, are expressed in Bharata Natyam. This dance, as well as many other religious dances, demonstrates the integral relationship between religious dances and the religious themes that inspire them. In terms of specific details of Bharata Natyam, it emerged in southern India and developed over the centuries as a living tradition as generation after generation handed it down from parents to children, and gained ascendancy when the Devadasi system emerged in India."
Abstract This paper is about dance movement therapy as a form of expressive art therapies. The paper focuses on how dance therapy is about the release of emotional trauma or beliefs as well as feelings that have been suppressed, through appropriate movement. There is a brief history of development of dance therapy as well as a personal story about how fears can limit the ability to dance.
From the Paper "The expressive arts offer a multitude of opportunities for the human spirit to achieve balance, freedom, relief and potentially self-actualization. While great emphasis in class has been placed on the spirit of the human condition and spirit of the soul, after a brief discussion about the spirit, this paper will focus on what movement and dance therapy are about, the use of dance therapy as a way of unleashing burdensome emotions and psychological pathology in combinations of the arts and solely using dance and movement as the expressive medium. This paper will also include comments on the generally fear and shame based reasons why individuals might initially shy away from dance and movement therapy."
Abstract This paper takes a look at Islam's view on dance and music. According to the paper, although there are many groups within Islam that profess that music and dancing are forbidden, it is clear that the Qu'ran itself does not explicitly prohibit these activities. The paper goes on to say that several avenues of worship within Islam have developed into the practice of reaching God through dance or music. The paper focuses specifically on the Quwalli and the Mevelevi Order, also known as The Whirling Dervishes.
From the Paper "More intentionally musical is the Sufic tradition of the Quwalli. Quwali means "word," and can be thought of as the physical and auditory manifestation of the divine voice. As with the Quri, the Quwallis use their voice as a tool of worship, but they move into the world of interpretation and individual expression of the words themselves. They can be likened to the Gospel singers of the Western world in this respect, though this may be a misleading comparison since the Sufi practice, from which the Quwalli find their beginnings and roots, is far more steeped in history and tradition and could be considered a more "serious" endeavor. Quwallis use the music of their voices to worship foremost, and to communicate and encourage their listeners to worship with them is a secondary concern."
Abstract This paper discusses the film "Dances With Wolves" in relation to man's inhumanity to man, culture, our attitudes towards other cultures, and the media's portrayal of other cultures through the medium of film.
From the paper:
"The film ?Dances With Wolves? (Costner) looks in detail at the way strangers get to know each other. It is seen from the point of view of John Dunbar, a lieutenant fighting during the American Civil War. We meet the wounded hero in a field hospital just as he is about to have his leg amputated. However, when the doctors leave, he decides to rejoin his regiment, and invites death by riding his horse in a suicidal charge at the enemy lines."
Abstract The purpose of this paper is to survey the available body of research done on the effectiveness of foreign aid as an agent for economic development of recipient countries, most of which come from the third world countries. In particular, it aims to assess how strong the empirical evidence is that aid has been an effective agent for economic growth. In so doing, it attempts to identify areas where future research is required.
Outline
Overview
Introduction
Econometric Models Used In the Literature
The Poverty Trap Model
Anti Aid Literature
Pro Aid Literature
Qualified View
Observed Gaps in Existing Research
Conclusion
From the Paper "Since its birth right after World War II when the United States of America (USA) released billions of money to assist Europe (Sogge, 2002) in reconstructing the latter's economy, foreign aid has been assumed to directly induce or at least influence economic development in a recipient country. Most donor rhetoric perpetuates this association (World Bank, 1998). Many studies have been undertaken to try to assess if aid actually fulfils its main objective, that is, to promote macroeconomic development in developing countries. After half a century characterized by some serious changes in world economy and politics (i.e. breakdown of Communism, globalization, terrorism), the link between foreign aid and economic growth remains at the center of debates on aid effectiveness."
Abstract This paper describes the health problem the AIDS epidemic poses to the U.S. and to the world and provides statistics regarding the number of deaths caused by AIDS, the number of people infected by AIDS or HIV and the segment of the population that is most affected. The paper further describes measures that must be taken in order to combat the AIDS epidemic and explains that not enough is being done to stop the virus.
From the Paper "Two hundred and twelve new cases of AIDS are diagnosed every day in the USA, where someone dies from AIDS every ten minutes. By the end of 1990 more than 100,000 people had already died from AIDS in the US alone. In 1991 more young Americans will die from AIDS than perished in the entire Vietnam War. Indeed, AIDS is now the leading cause of death for all American men aged between 25 and 44, and all American women aged between 15 and 33. In February 1990 the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported a cumulative total of 11,189 women with AIDS in the United States, 52 per cent of whom were originally infected through needle-sharing, and a further 19 per cent through unprotected sex with male injecting drug users. "Experts at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control believe that every U.S. company will have at least one employee with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) at some point" (Fontenot, 1992). Indeed, 28 per cent of all people with AIDS in America have been infected through needle-sharing, and it is currently estimated that 70 per cent of injecting drug users in some areas are already infected. Women with AIDS now make up 9 per cent of the national US total, and heterosexual transmission which accounted for only 1.2 per cent of cases in 1982, is now responsible for 4.9 per cent of the total case-load."
Abstract This paper reviews three articles on HIV/AIDS, all dealing with the challenge of delivering effective services to HIV/AIDS clients in a wide variety of settings. The articles focus on correctional drug treatment programs, inmates in correctional settings, and job satisfaction of those working in community-based HIV/AIDS organizations.
From the Paper "In spite of the progress being made by the medical community to treat HIV/ AIDS, professionals and policy makers continue to face the formidable challenge of delivering effective services to HIV/AIDS clients in a wide variety of settings. This literature review..."
Abstract In this paper, the writer discusses that the Baile, Egyptian Cabaret, and Nritta represent a cross-cultural connection in world dance, which embodies the love that men and women share for each other. In this manner, the religious idioms of the cultures described here represent the manner of movement that depicts love, but through the sacred ideals of commitment and love. The writer points out that although these differ slightly in the accompaniment of dancers, or in the stylistics of the choreography, there is a archetypal cultural unifier that relates the desire and higher love of men and women across the world.
From the Paper "This study examines the multi-cultural aspects of "divine love" in Kathak, Middle Eastern, and Flamenco dancing. Within these dances there is a greater blend of different cultural values that make up each of the formats of these dances. In this manner, the chain of influence upon the Kathak, Middle Eastern, and Flamenco dances offer a multi-cultural depiction of how dance is not created within the limitations of geographical boundaries. By understanding the cultural similarities based in these dances, one can realize the power of movement that is a commonality within the religious and divine nature of love. The Kathak dance is a religiously based dance that formally uses the divinity of love for Indian gods, and their dance in the Cosmos."
Abstract This is a high level overview of dance movement therapy, what it means and how it can successfully be integrated into an individual's life. Part of the overview includes an emphasis on how dance movement therapy can be beneficial for one's daily live even if one is not suffering from emotional or mental health issues. There is also a brief explanation of the role of expressive arts therapy.
From the Paper "Expressive arts therapy has many components, one of which is dance movement therapy. Halprin (1999) states "movement is the body's universal language...a bridge to the interior world of self and between self and the world." Dance movement therapy has few limitations as to who can do partake in this expressive form of movement and who can benefit from it. This paper will provide a basic overview of what dance movement therapy is and how it is effective. The second section of the paper will focus on how dance movement therapy can be successfully integrated an individual's life. Part of the overview includes an emphasis on how dance movement therapy can be beneficial for one's daily live even if one is not suffering from emotional or mental health issues. "
