Op-Eds in the National News

Ms. Erkert was a Public Voices Fellow and part of the national Op-Ed Project in 2020-21, which aims to “…dramatically increase the public impact of our nation's top underrepresented thinkers.” Follow Jan Erkert at authory.com/JanErkert to read the full collection of op-eds.

NEWSFLASH - October 9, 2024: For the Love of Falling is published in Visible Magazine!

As a professional contemporary dancer, I’m a master of falling so it is ironic that the love of my life died of complications from falling. 

My husband was born in Berlin in 1932. As a Jew, uneven ground shaped his world view. As a contemporary dancer, I have always been attracted to perching on the diagonal as a delicious and defiant act in a world that often asks us to remain complacently in verticality. My husband and I fell madly in love and remained head over heels and off-balance for 42 years, joyously and dangerously living life on the edge. This is a story about how we faced the inevitable challenges of aging, when falling brought my husband closer to a real precipice each day, and I struggled to catch him and keep him safe utilizing all my dancer’s knowledge. It is a story of both falling and standing in love and ultimately accepting the ephemeral nature of life.

NEWSFLASH - November 7, 2023: Political Performative Narcissists are so entertaining – let’s just not vote for them! - published in Visible Magazine!

If the world is a stage, the political show has been wildly entertaining over the last decade, but deadly for running the country. This piece explores how entertainment has been intertwined with politics and fueled by political performative narcissists. Drawing on seminal performances, this piece cuts away at the difference between an artist and a con-artist. As we vote this election day, it is time to recognize the difference between we, the audience and we, the voters. If we want to be entertained, let’s go to a show. If we want to get things done, let’s vote for gloriously boring, political wonks.

NEWSFLASH - August 17, 2023: He was Dancing to Beyoncé - He Never Knew it Would be his Last Dance - published in Ms. Magazine!

This piece is an ode to O’Shea Sibley, a 28-year-old Black, gay, professional dancer, who was fatally stabbed in his heart while he and his friends were voguing to music by Beyoncé. His murderer shouted “Stop dancing, stop dancing, stop dancing,” as if dancing is a crime, an assault on life, a blasphemy to the living. Dancing is a screaming testimony to life yet dancers have always been vulnerable to unexpected backlash and unbelievable violence. In this piece, personal stories and stories from the dance community illuminate why dancing and the gendered stereotypes attached to dancing unleash such fury.

NEWSFLASH - August 14, 2023: The Three McCarthys - Who is Pulling the Strings? - published in Visible Magazine!

The extreme right is successfully pulling the strings tighter and tighter on Kevin McCarthy, Speaker of the House. I offer insights on the dangers of strings from two other McCarthys – Joe McCarthy (of McCarthyism fame) and Charlie McCarthy (a dummy puppet used by ventriloquist Edgar Bergen).  I weave these stories into my own creative journey of being tied into knots, which ultimately sacrificed my artistic voice. This piece is for any person who has ever been tangled up in a web and struggled to find their way out.

NEWSFLASH - April 17, 2023: Aging Can Bring Wisdom, Or Not - published in Public Seminar!

As we judge and/or select leaders, we must weigh the benefits of age against the dangers, while guarding against our own internalized stereotypes about aging. In this piece, I look to philosophers, teachers and artists who have found paths toward wisdom through the process of growing older and I examine the physical and spiritual challenges the body offers from my perspective as an aging dancer.

NEWSFLASH - March 14, 2023: Throughout History, Women have Forged a New Type of Leadership- Embodying Grace - published in Ms. Magazine!

Women’s History Month is an opportunity to recognize the ways women throughout U.S. have redefined effective leadership. It is time to embrace the lessons learned from the “silenced but not silent” generation, who forged a new perspective on leadership in which strength is bolstered by vulnerability.

NEWSFLASH - January 4, 2023: Looking Back on Jan. 6, Our Grief is Growing – Americans Need to Wail - published in Visible Magazine

Looking back on January 6, 2021, our collective grief has been growing, not only from the escalating political violence, but also from the extraordinary losses brought on by the pandemic, gun and planetary violence.  We need to mourn together—viscerally, physically, emotionally.  However, most of our national rituals for grief, such as Memorial Day, are based in military victory where death is best remembered if it’s valorous. Instead, we should learn from the historical, cultural and performative rituals of our diverse peoples and create a National Day of Mourning to heal our wounds and re-imagine possibilities.

NEWSFLASH - September 17, 2022: Women Who Dare to Dance - published on Medium

In the heat of the summer, Sanna Marin, Prime Minister of Finland, was caught on video….dancing….the brouhaha that followed was outrageous. Why can’t women leaders dance???? Let's just say I got pissed off..so I wrote this OpEd to provide an historical context about women who dare to dance.

NEWSFLASH - April 28, 2022: Stepping Down in not in the Playbook of Manly Man Leadership - It’s Time for Girlie Girl Leaders to Step Up - published in Visible Magazine

Stepping down from power is not in the playbook of manly-man leadership, which has no chapter called retreat, de-escalate or let go. It appears certain that chest pumping Putin won’t step down, having already set in motion constitutional amendments, which allow him to run for office in 2024 and beyond. Former German Chancellor, Gerhard Schröder refuses to resign from seats on Russian energy boards connecting Germany and Russia, and of course Trump notoriously has had some issues with holding onto power. When fragile egos wrap themselves inside a blanket of toxic masculinity, the result is chaos and destruction. It’s time for a new playbook, which include lessons on stepping down.

NEWSFLASH - April 11, 2021: Engaging the Body in Diversity Education - published in The Hill Reporter

“The image is permanently burned into our retinas – a knee on the neck with hands nonchalantly tucked into pockets. The trial surrounding George Floyd’s murder has exposed the residue of lingering pain, which has settled into the bodies of the live witnesses. Whether a nine-year old child, a white firefighter, a black store clerk, feelings of helplessness and guilt were palpable in their shaking heads and sobbing shoulders.” Click to read more… 

NEWSFLASH- February 7, 2021: A Word about Spineless from a Dancer - published in Medium

“The word “spineless” has been much in the news of late. Vice President Mike Pence has been called it so many times, it’s near impossible to count.  New York Times writer Michelle Cottle asked if the Republican Party would “…have the spine to rein in Marjorie Taylor Greene?” Spineless is not a new term. In 1952, then-Senator Richard Nixon called the Democrats “spineless” for their handling of Moscow. Senators will have their chance to locate their spines in the upcoming impeachment trial.” Click to read more…

NEWSFLASH - December 19, 2020: Biden’s State of Calm in the Face of A Bully - published in CNN Opinion

“Hear! Hear! After four years, the bully has been removed from the bully pulpit! The question is, are we willing to let him go? We've all witnessed President Donald Trump's public displays of bullying. Many have tried to take him down, but far more have been sucked into his whirlwind. President-elect Joe Biden has a new playbook, which is refreshingly bold and radically uncomfortable. But Democrats are already nervous that he doesn't have what it takes to throw a few punches of his own. If we are to heal our country, however, we will need to not only reject the macho myth that celebrates violence, but also cultivate Biden's sense of calm.” - click to read more.

NEWSFLASH - December 7, 2020: An Open Letter to Dr. Fauci - published in Chicago Sun-Times

“Dear Dr. Fauci, I sympathize. It must be demoralizing to deliver scientific data daily and watch in horror as the country slips into nonsensical debates about personal freedoms. I can hear the exacerbation in your voice in a recent New York Times interview, when you state that practicing the mitigations, “…doesn’t mean shutting down the country.”  You offer a logical conclusion, but as a country, we have not been very willing to follow your counsel.  Unfortunately, all the stories you have had to tell are about our country’s massive failures. If I may be so bold, I think you need a success story. I have one and it comes from the most unlikely of places - a dance program on a college campus.” Click to read more.

NEWSFLASH - October 19, 2020: All Systems Go - Go Vote - published in Thrive Global!

“Many years ago, when confronted with a serious spinal infection, a body-mind practitioner provided me with wise advice, “When the body is injured, it returns to its original blueprint, providing an opportunity to mess with the system.” As a professional dancer, I was highly tuned into the complex workings of the musculoskeletal system. But I was confused. How did she want me to mess with it? What was I to do?” Click to read more.

NEWSFLASH - September 29, 2020: What it Means to Trust the Body in the Time of Trump - published in Visible Magazine!

“Facts matter” flashes across screens constantly as an important contrast to the swirl of misinformation spewed daily. “Just the facts, ma’am,” as Joe Friday famously said in the Dragnet classic. “My decision will be based on the facts,” state many politicians. I support them. Facts are important. But my stomach has been feeling queasy. As a dance artist, I have spent a lifetime resisting an over-reliance on the facts and communicating the essentialness of the body’s wisdom in making life choices.” Click to read more.