Posted on 09/15/2014 4:10:39 PM PDT by Cecily
Misty Copeland has opened up about the systematic 'racism' in ballet that makes it nearly impossible for African American women to become professional dancers.
The 31-year-old, who overcame tremendous odds to be the first black woman in 20 years to land a position as a female soloist at the American Ballet Theatre, told NPR that her success was 'a huge step for the African-American community.'
'I think that the reason [it's hard for black women to break in] is the racism and not wanting to change this very traditional art form that has been successful in the way it is for so long,' she explained.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
My dad always wondered why ballet companies didn't just hire taller women. The ones they did employ were always standing on their toes.
lolz
Kirkland’s book was great! Boy, she really outed those bastards! They wrecked her great career after that was published.
The greatest. Wouldn't trade one Balanchine for an army of mediocre posing political artists. Love his description of Isadora Duncan as a fat pig rolling around on the stage.
I don’t know about that. Duncan, like most artists, didn’t get famous for nothing. She was an American - anathema to the Bolshoi/Russian crowd. Although she married a Russkie.
On the other hand, Balanchine did go for black men, in certain roles. Like Arthur Mitchell - Balanchine liked to partner him with Diana White in that great duet in Agon. Made a great study in contrasts.
What about Dance Theater of Harlem (an African-American company specifically created to perform the classical repertoire)? I guess they don’t count. http://www.dancetheatreofharlem.org/company/repertoire
Don't know either. Just like the description.
Saw 16 NYCB performances per year fro 1975 through 1984. What's not to like about Balanchine's Maryiinsky/Busby Berkeley/Fritz Lang/Ballet Russes creations. Jerome Robbins wasn't bad either. It all started with seeing Jacque d'Amboise with a teenage Nina Fedorova at the Bucks County Playhouse doing a mini master class.
Much lighter than me, too. The 1/4 Italian really came through in my skin tone. Everything else is from my 3/4 German.
That said, I am an American. No hyphenation used or accepted.
Don't leave the plantation without it.
The boogeyman of racism. Woooooh! scary!
hahahaha.
Word has it that at one time Rosie O’Donnell tried to get into ballet.
Unfortunately, she thought it was the American Buffet Company...
She’s reached the pinnacle of her chosen field and yet chooses to focus not upon the inspiration that this could provide future generations regardless of race, but instead trots out the shopworn saga of the white man keeping her down?
Does she really believe this, or is she just poor-talking her humble beginnings as people are wont to do when seeking to downplay their accomplishments for whatever reason, political ambition or what have you?
Yeah the dance industry is well known to be full of knuckle-dragging, Southern, Neanderthal, belching, Christian, straight white male WASP, tractor-driving, bitter-clinging John Birchers. /s
Wow, what calves...
All I want to know is how come there are no 250 lb. women in tights?
Obviously they are discriminated against.
Excuse me, she does not look very “black”. So, she is saying whatever tiny percentage of negro she has in her ancestry is the root of all her issues?
She is not skinny enough
Skinny-man-arms.
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