I loved the Jaracho and Afro-Puerto Rican bomba dancing workshop. I almost didn’t participate. But then the drums began. And everyone began to move. As the people moved I had to move with them.

I’m not a dancer. I never learned to move along with the rhythm of the music, and I never usually step out to dance and NEVER in public. Yet here I am at El Centro, packed in with strangers and having the time of my life.

There’s catharsis in movement. So often women are taught to give up their space, especially women of color. In this movement, in this dance, we take back that space and share it among each other. Thank you to all the women who led this workshop, who carried such passion and positivity in teaching us.

Group 8: Kira Smith