How Brown Ballerinas Make History Every Day

Every day that passes is a day spent making history.

This Black History Month, as we honor the past accomplishments and actions of our ancestors who paved the way for our lifestyles, it’s also important to acknowledge how our current accomplishments and actions are shaping the lifestyles of future generations.

The truth is, the act of making history doesn’t always feel radical and world-changing in the moment. That’s because history is made without notice. It is made by waking up in the morning, doing a good deed, or passing along a nice message. It is made by refusing an offer, defending a friend, or painting a picture.

Black History Month serves as a reminder of how much can change as a result of collective, consistent, and sometimes small actions. It also serves as yet another reminder that a lot more change is necessary.

We’ve been featuring prominent Black figures in the dance world during our 28 Days of Dance series on Instagram. The purpose of sharing those stories is not just to educate our Black and Brown ballerinas, but also to remind them that they are just as capable as their ancestors to make great strides in history through their actions today.

We Represent

From doctors to lawyers to athletes and politicians, representation makes a huge impact by inspiring people of all ages to follow their dreams. The dance industry is no exception. In fact, the lack of representation of Black and Brown ballerinas is why Brown Girls Do Ballet was founded in 2012.

It has taken many years for Black ballerinas to have opportunities to excel in the mainstream ballet world - many of them still breaking new barriers today. Thankfully, more organizations are now focused on empowering ballerinas of color to grow in the dance industry. For example, Ballet Black, a London-based professional dance company, focuses on promoting dancers of Black and Asian descent. This increase of representation will help fight the instances of isolation, discrimination, and discouragement that many Black and Brown ballerinas face as they pursue their passion for dance.

We Tell Our Stories

Storytelling is how history, culture, and traditions are passed down from generation to generation. For many years and in many ways, Black and Brown storytellers have been censored or silenced, rarely given platforms to share stories that don’t revolve around trauma and pain. As of recently, many major media outlets have begun to prioritize sharing stories and insight from people of color, but there’s still a long way to go.

Fortunately, more Black artists are creating platforms of their own. For example, choreographer Jeremy McQueen founded The Black Iris Project, a ballet production company that creates performances to share meaningful stories such as Madiba, which narrates the life of Nelson Mandela. Social media is also a great platform for dancers to share their stories. Every experience and journey is unique, valuable, and should be passed on in order to continue amplifying Black and Brown culture and history.

We Speak Up

When people come together to create change, powerful things can happen. Last summer, the U.S. witnessed mass protests against police brutality in America, an issue that has plagued the Black community for decades. Other issues African Americans face include a severe lack of inclusion in various industries, unequal treatment and opportunities, health-related neglect, and more. Every day, dancers of color make history by simply speaking up about the things that they are passionate about changing.

Standing for something doesn’t always need to be loud. Sometimes it’s just as simple as carrying oneself with integrity, sharing resources in text message group chats, or raising awareness of an issue through social media posts. Oftentimes, speaking out can be done through creating. Using art as activism is a way to creatively express passions while delivering powerful messages. Speaking up creates the opportunity for history to be changed over time.

We Share Our Knowledge

Knowledge is power, and with great power comes great responsibility. Knowledge can also be a privilege, especially for communities of color. Achievements and experiences that may seem like the status quo are actually often hard to come by for many people of color. In the dance community, for example, opportunities for training can be limited due to high costs, or even due to a lack of awareness that such opportunities exist.

As ballerinas succeed in the dance industry, they will naturally attain wisdom, experience, and resources. Sharing this wealth of knowledge with other dancers of all ages gives Black and Brown ballerinas the blueprint and tools needed to succeed. Scholarship funds, mentorship programs, and pro bono training lessons are all ways to make room for spreading knowledge. As more ballerinas of color learn more about the craft, more barriers will be broken and more history will be made.

We Inspire our Peers

Ballet is a tough industry in itself. Not only is it physically demanding, but it can also be mentally and emotionally challenging. Ballerinas of color experience all of these obstacles, as well as the additional challenges that come from being the only Black ballerina in their classes, for example. There have been many instances where Black and Brown ballerinas are isolated from their peers in the dance world, even in subtle ways, like not being able to find flesh-toned tights and pointe shoes that match their darker skin tones. As these challenges pile up, they can be enough to break anyone’s spirit.

By supporting one another emotionally, ballerinas of color can foster safe spaces that allow for not only vulnerability and frustration but also inspiration. Supportive peer groups help to keep ballerinas motivated to pursue their passion for dance. This motivation will carry Black and Brown dancers through to those opportunities that nurture Black history.

What are some ways you are making history today? How are you making future generations proud? Let us know in the comments below!

Culture, Young ChangemakersVictoria JonesFebruary 12, 2021Black History Month, Representation, activismComment