By Rebecca Shaw
Imagine growing up identifying with not only one or two cultures, but several vastly different cultures, and being passionate about all of them.
Adam McKinney, who descends from African-Americans, Native Americans and Ashkenazi Jews, commemorates his multiple heritages through a program entitled DNA Works, which focuses on identity, culture, class and heritage.
McKinney said he negotiates his origins by “spinning tales of his ancestors through song, dance and movement.”
On Oct. 20, the Bi-Co Jewish Student Union, Israel Coalition and Multicultural Center collaborated to host a preview and excerpt of McKinney’s dance performance “HaMapah” and documentary “We Are All One: The Jews of Sefwi Wiawso.”
Both components will be shown as a tour in Israel for the next two months, beginning Oct. 30.
“We hope that this event will lead to many more collaborations between The Jewish Student Union, Israel Coalition and Multicultural Center for the rest of the year as well as open conversations on culture and heritage,” said Bi-Co Jewish Student Union President Shira Cohen ‘10.
The program began with an excerpt of McKinney’s dance “HaMapah.” He danced barefoot, and performed a Yiddish lullaby as an interlude.
According to McKinney, he began his dance as if he was coming out of the womb on an African slave ship. His arm and his neck moved with multiple layers of meaning, one time to signify lynching and another time to represent one of his ancestors, born with an umbilical around his neck.
The next part of the program featured a documentary of an extremely observant Jewish Community in Ghana that exists despite significant opposition from surrounding villages.
The community takes Jewish practices such as Shabbat — the day of rest — so seriously that they do not bury the dead on the Sabbath. One college student, who wants to start a Hebrew School for local children, portrayed his great love for Judaism even though fellow university students tried to convert him.
The program ended with a discussion about reactions to the film.
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Editor's note: Articles that appear in the Last Word section are works of satire.
