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To: Ballet World
More Conversations About Race-Based Issues In Ballet Studios and Companies
More ballet studios and companies should encourage and even require more open conversations about race-based issues. Having conversations about race-based issues are not easy but people shouldn't be afraid to tell others and think they have to go through this alone. It is also important for other students to stand up when race-based issues occur in their studio or anywhere else- this is especially applicable to white dancers. When dancers acknowledge their privilege whether it is their skin color, age, or level and use that to fight racism, that is when we are closer in creating a more inclusive environment.
Why is this important?
This is important because even though open conversations like these can be challenging, ballet studios, schools, and companies should talk about the obstacles that race can provide in the ballet world and how to improve that in their community for the first step. Facilitating conversations around race, equity, diversity, and inclusion can be helpful in educating and getting people involved in the hope for eliminating racism.
Racial equity is an ongoing process and conversation. Especially in the arts like ballet, it is indirectly nuanced so that BIPOC dancers are disadvantaged. The best way to change and promote racial equality in your surroundings is to have conversations that advocates for diversity and equality with people around you and use your voice to call attention to these matters.