Dancing in the Streets
by Barbara Ehrenreich
Published by Metropolitan Books
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Reviewed by Kaitlin RM Burkard
Subtitled: A History of Collective Joy
The desire for social communion is a fundamental aspect of human nature. In today's society, although technology appears to keep people connected, feelings of isolation and depression are rampant.
In Dancing in the Streets, Barbara Ehrenreich tries to show the reader that people have lost appreciation for each other. The downside of civilization, she argues, is the loss of group-mentality--as opposed to individualism--that once compelled groups to celebrate together. However, Dancing in the Streets is not merely a presentation of historic fact; this book has an agenda.
Ehrenreich traces the history of carnivals and the practice of ecstatic dancing from ancient times to modern times through historical documents and eyewitness accounts. However, she also includes many of her own conclusions, mostly based on speculation. For instance, she devotes a portion of her book to trying to prove that Jesus' disciples tampered with Jesus' life story to identify him with the pagan god Dionysus, who was associated with ecstatic dance among the Greeks.
In this way, and many others, Ehrenreich shows her true colors--she is not writing an objective history of ecstatic dance at all, but a highly subjective and left-slanted work rife with her own personal biases. She blames Christianity for teaching people to suppress their individuality, desires, and all joy in life--that is, she believes Christianity is largely responsible for the destruction of the carnival and many of the problems that plague modern society.
What is real, historic fact, and what is merely Ehrenreich's own opinion? It is sometimes difficult to distinguish between the two. However, I cannot deny that Ehrenreich makes at least one convincing point--the desire for community and fellowship has always been a part of human nature, and mankind has found various ways to express this desire throughout the ages.
Dancing in the Streets, with all its faults, will at least make the reader think. And it is only fair to point out that one of the goals of the book is to convince the reader to step outside of his self-centered "bubble" and become more appreciative of the people around him. Ehrenreich wants us to think of others as potential sources of friendship and delight, rather than obstacles to be overcome. This is a message I cannot object to.
Armchair Interviews says: Thought-provoking message you may or may not agree with.
Author's Web site: http://www.barbaraehrenreich.com