How can movement practices like Parcon Resilience foster connection, empathy, and anti-racism in diverse communities?
Andrew Suseno’s Parcon goes beyond the physical to create community and fight racism. Andrew discusses his family, ancestors, and their role in his identity. We explore what Parcon is, why he created Parcon Resilience, and his vision for the anti-racist work it does. Andrew unpacks various pieces of racism in modern America, how Parcon Resilience addresses it, and shares why the work he does inspires him.
When somebody is Parcon’ing with somebody who might be in a chair— who might have the ability to maybe do a couple steps if they had somebody in kind of a dynamic balance with them or helping take off some of their weight— Then all of a sudden it becomes possible! There’s this invitation across ability to be able to create new possibilities for being in public, for being in the world, and it’s not just a singular thing.
~ Andrew Suseno (17:48)
The discussion explores Parcon Resilience as an innovative practice combining movement, community, and anti-racist principles. Andrew goes into the origins of Parcon Resilience, blending influences from contact improvisation and parkour to create relational and environmental somatic experiences. The practice emphasizes inclusivity, enabling people of all abilities to connect and express themselves, often in public spaces, to challenge societal norms about movement and relationships.
The conversation also addresses broader themes of racism, intersectionality, and ancestral connections. Andrew explains how Parcon Resilience helps people embody anti-racism by fostering empathy and honoring diverse experiences. Discussions include the socio-political implications of movement and the transformative potential of connecting with one’s environment, others, and ancestral history.
Takeaways
Inclusivity in movement practices — Parcon Resilience allows individuals of all abilities to engage in meaningful interactions.
Contact improvisation — The foundational principles emphasize shared weight and nonverbal communication between participants.
Anti-racism through movement — Parcon Resilience focuses on fostering race consciousness and addressing societal inequalities.
Connection to environment — Participants explore nontraditional spaces and movements to form deeper relationships with their surroundings.
Empathy and relational practices — The focus on shared experiences builds mutual understanding and challenges societal divisions.
Intersectionality in practice — The framework centers on people of color across various intersecting identities.
Cultural and ancestral connections — Honoring one’s past and culture through movement deepens personal and collective identity.
Challenging ableist norms — Activities break barriers between able-bodied individuals and those with disabilities.
Transforming public spaces — Movement activities in public invite diverse interactions and challenge conventional use of urban environments.
Resources
People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond — Organization providing anti-racism workshops and initiatives.
Andrea Smith’s article on Heteropatriarchy — A piece discussing the three pillars of white supremacy.
High Line Park — The location for one of Parcon Resilience’s public flash mobs in New York City.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
ɕ