Preserving Dap as a Tool for Building Intercultural Understanding

Childhood acquaintances Le’Greg Harrison (Jr.) and William Carter Jr., were greeted in a bizarre manner in the autumn of In the moment they reached to hug each other with their hands, their faces lit up with joy. This was an expression of love, intimacy and closeness and was witnessed throughout the crowd. It was infectious. This gesture was so much beyond a normal handshake, and not exactly the bro hug, either. it was just dap. The dap’s message prompted Rhonda Henderson and Aaron Stallworth, the co-creators of The Dap Project, to think about the meaning to this religious embrace.

It is of vital importance that we exchange the ‘dap’ greeting which is a complicated form of greeting, which only occurs within the African-American community. Both analysis and conservation are important for our cultural practices and communication methods. While a variety of external influences could cause disruption to community ties, aspects such as recipes, dap as well as family names may endure across the centuries. Dap was a popular topic during the Vietnam War was believed to be the origin of dap. The war was a time when Black men demonstrated their strength and support to raise their fists up in appreciation of Black Power’s powerful movements. However, White Supremacy seems to be an unattainable concept that is not going to end anytime soon.

It’s forbidden to greet each other by handshakes in this manner. As such, the traditional handshake has evolved into a intricate yet profound method of salutation. The rituals that are associated with it form element of the rich culture of the African diaspora. Tyler Parry’s “Diasporic Salutations, and the West Africa origins of the “Dap” clarifies that European traders employed ceremonial salutes in Sierra Leone to greet men. This included shaking hands with their counterparts while snapping fingers or thumbs. Since the beginning the dap has become a universal symbol that is found in a variety of countries across the globe. It is typically comprised of vigorous clapping of the hands, that is followed by a tight grip and the release of it.

A significant gesture in the culture, the “Dap” is an act of mutual respect between two people. It could take the form of a 4-finger shake, shoulder leaning-in as well as a back slap. All with a sense of trust and respect that’s unique from African Americans. The traditional meaning of the gesture is basically an expression that says “What’s great? What’s your rank? You good? You’re very good? The expression “I See You” affirms the identity and unique heritage of an individual.

You must see beyond the physical world and reach the realm of the spirit. Here you will meet people who are like you, and who could be someone on the other side of the handshake. The ability to look around with eyes, we must also observe the world with an open-minded mind and an understanding. It is vital to understand the value of American history and give homage. If a space is filled to the brim with non-Black faces, we should remain conscious that those who look like us also share in this world. It is essential to find satisfaction in the rhythm which surrounds us in addition to recognizing the importance of our shared historical, current as well as the coming future. It is important to recognize each other, both individually and collectively.

The summer of 1898 was when The Dap Project, which was comprised by Edward Underwood and Joseph Edwards set out on an exploration of Washington’s neighborhoods to find the dap. By visiting Anacostia, Congress Heights, Edgewood, Park View and Stronghold, the team sought to learn what this particular expression means to the soul and spirit of the communities they visit. They were actually looking for Native Black Washingtonians. Then, their photographs as well as interviews resulted in an exhibit with multimedia which was presented on Anacostia Arts Center. Anacostia Arts Center. John Minor was also there.

The moral

It is crucial to recognize the other person in all places that we share. It is vital to acknowledge America’s shared history, and to recognize the role of Black American in American culture and history. It is crucial to keep in mind that the people that are similar to us also share this space. It is important to invest in an understanding of and respect for each other. This will help build more lasting relationshipsand enable more understanding and constructive discussions.