One Billion Rising! Dance in Action!

Rivera Sun (center) dancing at One Billion Rising

We all know that pulse of a crowd throbbing together to the music’s beat. On Valentine’s Day, I joined a group of three hundred Taos, NM (USA) residents to dance for One Billion Rising’s ‘Break the Chain’ flash mob. Stilters, children, elders, Hispanics, African-Americans, white folks, tourists, locals; you name it. It was represented.

This is democracy in action.

This is our freedom of speech and right to assemble being exercised to work to end violence against women. Over One Billion Women on this planet have been physically or sexually abused. As I danced, watched videos from around the world, and connected with people all over the country who would be dancing in their hometowns, I was awed by the power of this seemingly simple event.

We need connection. We need to break silence. We need to know that our communities are ready to move forward toward peace.

So many of those one billion women have experienced violence because war, poverty, and discrimination are still rampant in our societies. My vision for this movement is that it continues to grow, empowering women and men, alike; and steps up to address these serious issues that underlie the violence women experience.

To dance in peace and empowerment with so many thrilled my soul. I left the event beaming, radiant, uplifted, ready to take on the world with an open heart. I danced for so many that day and will continue to dance to break the chain of violence.

All over the world, women and their communities are rising up to end violence.

Thank you to all the wonderful organizers, the choreographer Debbie Allen, and Tena Clark who made the song.

Blessings, Rivera Sun