Dignity and Pride Communicated by a Handshake

The dap is more than just a handshake, it’s a symbol of solidarity, one with a long and proud history behind it. The origins of this greeting trace back to young Black American soldiers stationed abroad during the Vietnam War. With racism prevalent in the military and a new Black consciousness emerging during the civil rights movement, the young soldiers developed a physical language as a gesture of unity. Thus was born the dap, an acronym for “Dignity and Pride.” Photographer LaMont Hamilton has been studying the historical impact of the dap in his series “Five on the Black Hand Side,” telling the story of how the handshake came to hold such a profound place in Black culture.

This story is a part of our Human Condition series. Come along and let us connect you to some of the most peculiar, stirring, extraordinary, and distinctive people in the world.

Got a story idea for us? Shoot us an email at hey [at] GreatBigStory [dot] com

[GuardianKikko]

Not what i came for. Stayed for what I got

[david.ejioforr]

What do you want to be when you grow up?
I want to study daps

[graphite]

I feel sad for all the war wounded amputees that lost arms in combat and can't dap. :(

[ronniebishop]

The dapping started in Vietnam and I witnessed it especially in Phu Cat. Black kids had these incredible long dapping sessions and greetings that I don't think most people have seen. I think the original dap was shortened dramatically after the war. Vietnam was the cutting edge of pop culture in many areas. Why war brings this out I can't understand.

[votecurtistheguineapigforp]

Man, this should be required material! DIGNITY and PRIDE! I myself am white, but I can 100% admire this and enjoy as the art spoken of!! So interesting! Many not knowing why or what not but it still has survived and trickled to each generation!! AMAZING!

[mitchdjgamer]

Was it just me or everyone read the title as dab

[billloman]

Ive been familiar with the dap most of my life but I never knew it had such a history. This is fascinating

[cokoblazED]

This needs to be brought back because if you watched the World Cup 2022 ceremony, all the players DAP’d the world leaders, I was very shocked seeing that, cause it seems to be the new handshake for the world.

[mariannepatricia]

I see the power in coming together and it's beautiful.

[randomtheory]

Mom: Oh, he's going to be a software engineer!


Son: 1:17 Studies handshakes for a living

[dwighthayes]

I miss hearing "gimme some dap". I was a little boy in the 70s and my father is a Vietnam veteran. My uncle's, friends of the family even little boys ALL greeted each with that DAP! Awwww maaan! Such beautiful memories. This is a cultural greeting I really would love to see return.

[DeanRendar]

Had no idea it was an acronym, I mostly remember walking into garage kickbacks with someone pausing their hooka sesh to lean toward me fist out and say "Dap me bro". Awesome to know my own lived life teen year culture's origins .

[kariebeez]

Especially during the Vietnam War--brothers bonded. Mr. Hamilton and Mr. Zachery, you've done an outstanding job. Although you probably were not born when brothers served in Nam, you give much credence for the black soldiers who served in Vietnam, bringing the black historic concepts to younger and future generations. I grew up during the war and I remember watching the brothers doing the DAP and it seemed as if the entire handshake lasted at least five minutes. As a kid, I was amused but respectful as well.

[coonshine]

A lot of negativity for the dapp here. I'm a white Viet Nam vet and I could never figure out the dapp and if you were a black soldier it was all about you. Just brothers communicating quitely and respectfully. No noise, just the sound of slapping palms for hours on end sometimes. I was good with it....

[Dagothspulloutgame]

When two men dap each other up, they're symbolically calling each other brother

[brianhenry]

Yes!!!! Appreciation and gratitude!!!! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏🙌🙌🙌🙏🙏🙏✊

[eruno_]

I wanted to see history of dab, but this will do...

[AaronWilson]

Always learn something new with Great Big Story. Keep up the great work!

[henrynicholson]

Please, make a channel for behind the scenes of a Great Big Story! Or at least tell the story of a great big story!

[waterdawg]

Just saw a video saying it's the NFL handshake😂😂😂