#interracial dancing

[helloparkerrose]

Kids Dancing on Alan Freed's The Big Beat (1959)

This clip of teenagers dancing on Alan Freed's The Big Beat is a groundbreaking moment. The reason? Although Rock N Roll caused division socially and musically, the racial aspect is where it truly lives, since black and white kids couldn't dance together. I have come across this video several times, and trust me, it was a beautiful sight to see.

[bmusicbmovement]

Interracial Dancing- Larry Williams arrested

The resistance to Black-derived styles of music like rock and roll continued in various states around the U.S. Extreme measures were made to avoid the races joining together at any time whether in public or even indoors. In 1956, Louisiana passed state law revisions that prohibited “all interracial dancing, social functions, entertainments, athletic training, games, sport, or contests.” A school board in Little Rock, Arkansas said that “social functions which involve race mixing will not be held.”

Black New Orleans native Larry Williams was arrested in October of 1956 while performing at a segregated show at the Municipal Auditorium in Norfolk, Virginia. Shirtless, he jumped off the stage and into the crowd and danced with his White female fans. The singer said he had been arrested for dancing with his White fans in Augusta, Georgia and Alexandria, Louisiana as well.