Dancing Sybil's Strength: Surviving Shunning at Little Rock Central High School (1959–1962)

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 75
  In Roundtable Session: Well-Being, Survival, and Healing Using Art-Based Educational Research Methodologies

Abstract

Using arts-based research methods, we created a dance performance as a (re)presentation of the theme of strength that emerged from an oral history interview of Sybil Jordan Hampton about her experiences at Little Rock (Arkansas) Central High. Sybil was the sole African American in her class and endured shunning by peers and faculty. We explain how we were reflexive in our process, which is one emerging criteria for creating quality arts-based research (Barone & Eisner, 2012; Finley, 2003; Leavy, 2015), and describe our process for theme development, choreography, and performance. We found that our reflexivity and the inclusion of Sybil's voice was critical for developing a theme that honors her lived experience, a necessary aspect of critical arts-based research.

Authors

• Kendra Lowery, Ball State University

• Sybil Jordan Hampton

• Susan Koper, Ball State University

• Rebecca Lomax