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September 10, 2008

Man Allegedly Made to Dance at Airport


If you ever have the chance to see this company perform, please do so they are amazing. I went to see them perform in Toronto earlier this year.

A performer with the famed Alvin Ailey dance troupe on Tuesday said he was twice forced to perform steps for Israeli airport security officers to prove his identity before he was permitted to enter the country.

Abdur-Rahim Jackson, an eight-year veteran of the dance ensemble, said he was singled out by Israel's renowned airport security because he has a Muslim name. He called the experience embarrassing and said at one point, one of the officers even suggested he change his name."To be greeted like this because of my name, it took me back a little bit," said Jackson, who is black.

Israel is the first stop on a six-nation tour celebrating the New York-based dance company's 50th anniversary. Earlier this year, Congress passed a resolution calling the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater a "vital American cultural ambassador to the world."

Jackson said he was pulled aside from other members of the troupe when they arrived at Israel's international airport on Sunday night. He said he was taken to a holding room, where he was asked about the origins of his name. When he explained he was part of the dance group, he was asked to perform. continue reading

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good God this story makes me sick. He was ma dance not only because he has a Muslim name but specifically because he is black and they like to see us chuck and jive for their amusement. Damn I am pissed.

Beauty Is Diverse said...

I felt the same way when I read about this story.

Anonymous said...

I cannot stop thinking about this and I may just have to blog about it, to get my feelings out.

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