Paper Title
The Black Ballerina: A Triumphant Story After Many Years of Obstacles
Panel
Body and Performance
Location
Room 214, West Center
Start Date
31-3-2016 3:30 PM
End Date
31-3-2016 4:45 PM
Abstract
Black women face a dual edge sword when it comes to oppression because of the intersectionality of both race and gender, especially when it comes to dance. White woman and Black Men have been far more successful in the career. Where does that leave the Black ballerinas? Black ballerinas have performed before, but our dance history books do not gives them credit for their work. Authors of history books choose what they find valuable to highlight. It seems as though the history of Black ballerinas was obscure until recently when Misty Copeland made the news by becoming the first Black ballerina to dance as a principal for the American Ballet Theater (ABT). While some celebrate this joyous event, one cannot help but wonder why it took until the year of 2015 for the Black ballerina to finally make it to the spotlight. Prejudice still prevails, and some believe Black females have no place in the ballet world. This essay will explore how Misty Copeland's triumphant success as American Ballet Theater's first Black female principal dancer has received well-deserved and frenzied attention because of the flawed racist arguments about body image that have made ballet an obstacle for many Black Ballerinas before her.
The Black Ballerina: A Triumphant Story After Many Years of Obstacles
Room 214, West Center
Black women face a dual edge sword when it comes to oppression because of the intersectionality of both race and gender, especially when it comes to dance. White woman and Black Men have been far more successful in the career. Where does that leave the Black ballerinas? Black ballerinas have performed before, but our dance history books do not gives them credit for their work. Authors of history books choose what they find valuable to highlight. It seems as though the history of Black ballerinas was obscure until recently when Misty Copeland made the news by becoming the first Black ballerina to dance as a principal for the American Ballet Theater (ABT). While some celebrate this joyous event, one cannot help but wonder why it took until the year of 2015 for the Black ballerina to finally make it to the spotlight. Prejudice still prevails, and some believe Black females have no place in the ballet world. This essay will explore how Misty Copeland's triumphant success as American Ballet Theater's first Black female principal dancer has received well-deserved and frenzied attention because of the flawed racist arguments about body image that have made ballet an obstacle for many Black Ballerinas before her.
