“Protest, like performance, carefully chooses its stage and its repertoire of movements, which has an impact on audience perception”
– Anusha Kedhar, New York Times, 2014
Most relevant readings for this assignment
“Hong Kong’s crossed arms and other protest gestures from around the world” (read in class)
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“Hands up, Don’t Shoot”: Gesture, Choreography and Protest” by Anusha Kedhar https://thefeministwire.com/2014/10/protest-in-ferguson/
“Choreographies of Protest” by Susan Leigh Foster
“You Want a Confederate Monument? My Body is a Confederate Monument” by Caroline Randall Williams https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/26/opinion/confederate-monuments-racism.html
Find one or more additional sources that discuss the body and protest.
As you read all the articles, highlight or underline the gesture movement descriptions by the authors.
When you get to a gesture movement description, Stop reading, and do the gesture in the manner that it is described by the author. Remember not to assume that you know what something is – do the gesture based on the author’s use of descriptive language. If their writing “misses” what you think is an important part of the movement descriptor for that gesture, make a note. Then continue with your reading
Essay Assignment: 700-900 words
How do Taylor, Kedhar, Williams, Foster and your source(s) frame the body language of protest? (Note that Taylor is a foreign affairs journalist and Kedhar and Foster are choreographers and professors of dance, Williams is a poet.) What is your STAND on the arguments they present? (Remember the difference between “argument” and “argumentative”) Do a quick drawing, or physicalization, of where you stand in relation to their arguments. Are you next to? Turned towards? Turned away? Are you supporting? Supported by? Curious? Intrigued? Once you have done your physicalization, begin your writing process.
Begin your essay by summarizing the rationales, then articulate your own position in response. (Your own STAND). Use a specific body protest gesture to ground your argument. You may use a body protest gesture from the media/your lived experience, or you may draw on cultural media such as film. (“Hunger Games” or “Black Panther” are good references.) Use one of Kedhar’s “five ways of reading protest gesture” as described in her article to support your argument. You may use one of the Chapter One templates from “They Say, I Say” to help you with structuring this essay.
You may present this assignment as an essay form as a paper, or use the video essay format.
Remember:
- Internal citations: use quotes and summary in your essay (paper or video)
- Works cited page with correct MLA formatting
- Meet at least twice with a writing mentor (Zoe or Ryland). Once for first pass, then after incorporating their comments, return for a second meeting.
If you opt for this as your final project: due date is October 16. Post to Blackboard in Discussion Board thread for final project. If video essay: post the link.
