" He's the teacher?!   I don't want that White Boy teaching me anything!"    "He's not teaching me my dance!" And with that they - some African Americans/ Black people -  do an about face and march out of the dance classroom... ________________ Harlem and Harlemites (aw heck Black folks!) can be a challenge - and that race card goes both ways a whole lot.  With that bad word "gentrification" and the bullying tactics in the area it can have some of the locals thinking EVERYTHING is being taken/stolen away from them.  So when some folks  - Black and White - see The Harlem Swing Dance Society's main teacher Rafal Pustelny he definitely generates all kinds of reactions.  SSSSSSSSSssssshhhhh.... Most times he is unaware of it ....  ;>) Oh but what they miss out on! Rafal Pustelny has built up quite a resume from the days we met him sometime back when he proudly spoke of "Boogie Woogie" influences. Th...

On October 26th 2019 there was a special Black Lindy Hop Matters event in New York City.  Usually held in Harlem (for the past 2 years) the event was moved downtown for a special screening event honoring Lindy Hop Preservationist and Visionary Ms. Louise "Mama Lu" Parks Duncanson.  Thru her efforts and with many of the Savoy Ballroom & Savoy Manor Lindy Hop Dance Legends (who won titles at the famed NYC Harvest Moon Ball contest) it was imperative that they share stories. These dancers pictured assisted her in numerous ways, and thus they ALL kept Harlem's Lindy Hop culture alive locally and around the world... Ms. Novaks, a Black Cultural Reporter and Artist was on hand at this event, and was shocked at what she saw and learned.  Ms. Barbara Jones assured her this event was only the tip of the iceberg.  This eventually lead to an interview with some pointed and needed questions... .  1. Is there a State of emergency for Bla...