Dancehall In/Securities: Perspectives on Caribbean Expressive Life

This book explores the relationship between dancehall and security, drawing on insights from scholars and practitioners in the field. It offers a multi-disciplinary perspective on dancehall, its histories, spatial patterning, professional status, and aesthetics, and will be of interest to students and scholars in various fields.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 160 pages
Publication date: 29 January 2024
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This book delves into the intricate workings of in/security within the vibrant realm of Jamaican dancehall, offering valuable insights into the global study of in/security. It brings together a diverse array of esteemed scholars from various fields, including the University of the West Indies' Institute of Caribbean Studies and Reggae Studies Unit, as well as independent dancehall practitioners and writers from the UK, US, and continental Europe. These scholars offer their unique perspectives on dancehall, encompassing its historical trajectory, spatial dynamics, professional status, and aesthetic dimensions. By merging critical security studies with dancehall studies, this book offers a groundbreaking exploration that appeals to students, scholars, and practitioners in theater, dance, performance studies, sociology, cultural geography, anthropology, postcolonial studies, diaspora studies, musicology, and gender studies.

The book opens with an introductory chapter that provides a comprehensive overview of the study's objectives and methodology. It explores the historical roots of dancehall in Jamaica, its evolution as a cultural phenomenon, and its significance in shaping social and political landscapes. The chapter also highlights the unique security challenges faced by dancehall communities, including violence, crime, and marginalization.

The subsequent chapters delve into the multifaceted aspects of in/security in Jamaican dancehall. They examine the role of dancehall as a site of resistance and empowerment, exploring how artists and performers use their music and performances to challenge dominant narratives and promote social change. The chapters also explore the ways in which dancehall is implicated in perpetuating and exacerbating in/security issues, such as violence, crime, and social inequality.

One of the key themes of the book is the relationship between dancehall and the state. The chapters explore how the Jamaican government and security agencies have responded to dancehall, both as a cultural phenomenon and as a source of security concerns. They examine the policies and practices that have been implemented to regulate and control dancehall, as well as the impact these policies have had on artists, performers, and the broader dancehall community.

Another important theme of the book is the role of gender and sexuality in dancehall. The chapters examine how dancehall has been used as a platform for expressing and challenging gender norms and stereotypes, as well as how it has been implicated in perpetuating gender-based violence and discrimination. The book also explores the ways in which dancehall has been used to promote LGBTQ+ rights and representation.

The final chapter of the book offers a critical reflection on the insights that Jamaican dancehall offers for the global study of in/security. It explores the ways in which dancehall can be used as a tool for understanding and analyzing in/security issues in other contexts, such as urban spaces, postcolonial societies, and the digital age. The chapter also highlights the challenges and limitations of studying dancehall as a source of in/security knowledge, and proposes ways in which these challenges can be overcome.

In conclusion, this book is a groundbreaking contribution to the field of in/security studies. It offers a multi-disciplinary and interdisciplinary approach to understanding the complex dynamics of in/security in Jamaican dancehall. By bringing together scholars from diverse fields and perspectives, the book provides a rich and nuanced understanding of dancehall as a site of in/security, resistance, and transformation. It will be of great interest to students, scholars, and practitioners in theater, dance, performance studies, sociology, cultural geography, anthropology, postcolonial studies, diaspora studies, musicology, and gender studies.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032071268