Harlem Students Dance To An Old Irish Jig (VIDEO)

One To World is a non profit organization that brings Fulbright scholars and other international students to New York City public schools to introduce and explain their native cultures in order to break down prejudices and create cross-cultural understanding. The organization also serves a few private schools as well.

Watch Siobhan Ni Mhaolagain, a Fulbright language and teaching assistant from Dublin, Ireland, teaching the students of the Harlem Academy how to dance to “Some Say the Devil is Dead”, an old Irish jig that has been danced for generations in Irish homes and local parish halls.



"Many New York City school kids are often not able to even leave their neighborhood, let alone travel and see the world," said Deborah Clifford, One To World’s Executive Director. "We are bringing the world to them; we are allowing them to meet people from all over the world and to really have that face-to-face interaction with them, which often brings what they are studying to life".

Last year One To World served 1200 public school students in all five boroughs. But they want to reach more kids. If you want to support One To World or volunteer, please check its website here.

Comments

[LAustin]

10:50 PM on 03/17/2011

"Many New York City school kids are often not able to even leave their neighborhood, let alone travel and see the world," said Deborah Clifford, One To World’s Executive Director. "We are bringing the world to them; we are allowing them to meet people from all over the world and to really have that face-to-face interaction with them, which often brings what they are studying to life".

Well, I'm sooooo sorry for the little Harlem kids. the One to World director needs to learn that most kids all over the U.S. don't get to leave their neighborhood(s).

She's from Dublin??
Gheesh, she has a lot to learn about the U.S.

[Seaniebhoy]

10:41 AM on 03/21/2011

I think you are mistaking Siobhan Ni Mhaolagain, who is from Dublin, with Deborah Clifford who works for One to World.

[LAustin]

10:46 PM on 03/17/2011

And why is it always in HARLEM?? Or Brooklyn? Always one of the NYC burroughs.

News Flash: There are 50 states in the U.S. so when are the elementary-school-visiting-people EVER going to visit some school outside of New York?

[and NO I'm not in Texas, I'm not in Austrailia either. Austin is my name. So no wiseacre personal comments.]

It's time that people in NYC and DC all realized there are elementary schools all over the U.S. Gheeesh.

[L Benjamin]

08:33 AM on 03/18/2011

you're in the NY section, genius. They're going to talk about visiting [wait for it] NY

Visit their website: "One To World is a private, New York based not-for-profit organization with a mission to create global citizens and inspire a peaceful world through one-of-a-kind programs in classrooms and communities."

It's a NEW YORK organization

[traceydouglas]

02:54 PM on 03/17/2011

Of course you couldn't show this occurring in a public school....

[stepheniegwen]

03:01 PM on 03/17/2011

?

[traceydouglas]

05:34 PM on 03/17/2011

stephaniegwen - sorry for the lack of clarity. It just seems that the cool stuff happening in our public schools never gets any press; charter schools get a lot of press, however.

[Mutande]

01:01 PM on 03/17/2011

Democrats and Republicans should be forced to begin each session by dancing a jig together.

[PrairieGayCompanion]

01:35 AM on 03/18/2011

They pretty much dance around the truth all day.

[ponderer]

11:35 AM on 03/17/2011

African dance is primarily an open-stance tradition while Irish dancing emphasizes cross-stepping. You can see them blending in clogging, busking and formal and informal tap styles. I love the idea of showing kids how their contemporary ideas of dance have evolved over time and by the cross-pollination of various cultures.

[Each1Teach1]

03:45 PM on 04/17/2011

Excellent! Me too.