


Cindy Wallbridge
Sep 8, 2023
Brazil
Categories:
Women, Empowerment, Arts & Culture
This article from the Folha de São Paulo (Brazil) dated June 17, 2021 describes how Black ballet dancers are breaking away from tradition with new companies and costumes. Ballet costumes do not contrast with the body of the dancers which have historically been white or Caucasian people.
Think of Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and Sleeping Beauty ballets. White women dancers in pink shoes, white dresses and white tights and pink flowers. That is the tradition in ballet and this is why this article out of Sao Paulo, Brazil is a breath of fresh air. In the last auditions for the Brazilian ballet troupe, São Paulo Companhia de Dança, 5 out of 11 women chosen were of color. There was no quota based on size, look or other physical appearance. All were chosen for their technical and artistic capacity,” says Inês Bogéa, director of the company. But there are still, in Brazil, very few Black women dancing repertoire classics in large groups. “Brazilian choreographers understand that it is time to give more voice to this diversity,” says Bogéa, and this is an opportunity for more aspiring dancers with less financial resources to find a path.
I am a mother of a biracial daughter and I loved her ballet classes and the recitals. To read that this ballet company in Brazil is changing its diversity stance warmed my heart and it will help to break down another stumbling block for women of color to pursue ballet. My daughter did not understand why she could not wear black tights and black shoes to class. She wanted tights that matched the color of her legs and shoes the color of her feet. She did not understand why the Nutcracker Queen was light skinned and told me at the age of 27, she knew she could never be a lead ballerina in these recitals because she is too dark skinned. That broke my heart.
This article is only one instance where the traditional look bumps up against the traditional make-up of a ballet troupe. It is slowly changing all over the world, because our world is changing. For example, in the United States census, the Multiracial population was measured at 9 million people in 2010 and is now 33.8 million people in 2020, a 276% increase. That’s a lot more aspiring, biracial Snow Whites!
Is there inequality where you live? The demographics of many communities has changed in recent years people of color with a diversity of cultures? What could we do in our communities today to make people feel more included in our community life? The ballet shoe color? The type of food served? What traditions could change? Now more than ever sensitivity training is so important. Being inclusive does not have to be difficult. Learning and listening are key. There is much to think about in our changing world to help make it an equitable place for all.
Photo by Iiona Virgin on Unsplash.
Originally published October 8, 2021.
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0921.107.01.100821