Falling, Floating, Flickering: Disability and Differential Movement in African Diasporic Performance

Falling,Floating,Flickering emphasizes the importance of embodiment and movement in the creation and survival of Black sociality, challenging stereotypes of Africa as less progressive than the West. It explores alternate morphologies and movement practices across geohistories and cultural forms, highlighting the engagement of diasporic Africans in gesture toward a liberatory Black sociality.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 17 January 2023
Publisher: New York University Press

Falling, Floating, Flickering: Approaches to Disability Transnationally by Centering Black, African, and Diasporic Experiences

Falling, Floating, Flickering: Approaches to Disability Transnationally by Centering Black, African, and Diasporic Experiences is a groundbreaking book that delves into the importance of embodiment and movement in the creation of Black sociality. By linking African diasporic performance, disability studies, and movement studies, the book offers a unique perspective on disability transnationally, centering Black, African, and diasporic experiences.

One of the key strengths of Falling, Floating, Flickering is its rejection of the capital-weighted calculus that determines which bodies hold value. Instead, the book focuses on alternate morphologies and movement practices that have been dismissed as abnormal or unrecognizable. By doing so, it challenges traditional notions of ability and disability and opens up new avenues for understanding and appreciating the diversity of human experiences.

Hershini Bhana Young, the author of Falling, Floating, Flickering, traverses multiple geohistories and cultural forms, ranging from the United States and the Mediterranean to Sierra Leone, Nigeria, and South Africa. Through her analysis, she argues for the importance of differential embodiment and movement to the creation and survival of Black sociality. She refutes stereotypic notions of Africa as less progressive than the West in recognizing the rights of disabled people and highlights the engagement of diasporic Africans, who are still reeling from the violence of colonialism, slavery, poverty, and war, as they gesture toward a liberatory Black sociality by falling, floating, and flickering.

The book is organized into three parts, each exploring different aspects of disability and its relationship to Black sociality. The first part, "Falling," explores the embodied experiences of disability in Black communities, highlighting the ways in which Black bodies are often marginalized and devalued. The second part, "Floating," examines the ways in which diasporic Africans negotiate their identities and experiences of disability in different cultural contexts. The third part, "Flickering," explores the political and social implications of disability, particularly in the context of Black resistance and liberation movements.

Throughout the book, Young employs a multidisciplinary approach, drawing on a range of sources, including independent and experimental film, novels, sculptures, images, dance, performances, and anecdotes. This approach allows her to create a rich and nuanced understanding of disability and its impact on Black sociality.

One of the most significant contributions of Falling, Floating, Flickering is its challenge to the dominant narratives of disability and its impact on Black sociality. By centering Black, African, and diasporic experiences, the book offers a powerful counterpoint to the often-stereotypical portrayals of Africa as a continent of poverty, disease, and disability. It highlights the resilience and creativity of Black communities in the face of adversity and their contributions to global culture and society.

In conclusion, Falling, Floating, Flickering: Approaches to Disability Transnationally by Centering Black, African, and Diasporic Experiences is a groundbreaking book that offers a fresh and innovative perspective on disability. By challenging traditional notions of ability and disability, the book highlights the importance of differential embodiment and movement in the creation and survival of Black sociality. Through its multidisciplinary approach and rich analysis, it provides a valuable contribution to the fields of disability studies, African studies, and diasporic studies.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781479818457