In nineteen hundred I stepped out into the professional world, and I saw the weak part of my life, that was: If I hoped to measure arms with my brother, I must go back to school. So, in nineteen hundred and five, I took a three years’ course in a business college in Newark, New Jersey, and made good. For the past ten years I have conversed with representatives of all races or nations of the world. They talk freely with me, and I am yet learning. I don’t know it all, and my ears are still open. This boy, Haling Hank Lenht has grown to a man of responsibility, and has gained many friends among all nations, because they can trust him.
In nineteen hundred and three I came before the world as professor A. W. Cook, a dancing master and a teacher of etiquette to my people. At that time, all the dancing that my people could do, was jigging and buck and wing dancing. I did that old stuff down on the farm. So I made up my mind to teach my people a new kind of dancing, the way the white people dance. I went to a book store and bought a book on etiquette and a ball room guide. I studied these books from cover to cover, and when I opened my dance halls, I was a success. In 1904 I had dancing classes in different cities and towns. Every night except Sunday night.
Defending the Honorable and Graceful Movements of Dancing
As it is so popular and brings happiness and joy, when nothing else can, to thousands of human beings, if it is used in its proper place and in the right way.
It will do little or no harm. When in sorrow or down cast, dancing is a good medicine. It gives you a stronger mind and a new determination. You feel like you have something to live for, and are able to meet the terrible struggle of life. It drives the treacherous thought out of the being and makes room for happiness and kindness. It also makes a man or woman proud, honest, honorable and respectable. It gives power to command respect from every one.
Can you keep the race from dancing? Never! For it was handed down from God. It is the race’s nature to dance; it was born to the art, with music in every joint to give God praise. Disturb this happiness and you will find a monster within them. What will you do about it? They must dance. Teach them the proper way, tell them the danger, tell them they must not worship this gift, for they should respect it and give praise to God for his blessings. We should remember that these earthly blessings are from God. We must know how and when to use them. We as a race have reached the stage of life where we must begin to accept the good examples set by others, as we are not yet leaders of the world.
It is preached from our pulpits and by the elder members of our secret societies, that if you go to a dance, reception, or any place where dancing is allowed, that you have no religion and are on your way to hell. That style of preaching is an old chestnut tree and does not take effect on the race. We have learned to love and serve God in an intelligent way. Our leaders must find a better and more substantial method in order to make any impression on the race. The warning that is connected with this subject will not answer and they believe you not.
Professor A. W. Cook
If our churches believe that it is a great sin to dance, why is it that they rent excursion trains, dance halls and picnic grounds, furnish the best of music, and invite the members and friends to come and enjoy themselves? All of the secret and Christian societies give these great dances.