Discrimination in dance

Discrimination in dance refers to unequal treatment of performance artists based on white dominant culturally desired symmetry and unified lines.

Widely known as the mentor of Misty Copeland, Raven Wilkinson was the first African-American woman to break the racial barrier in balled in 1955 and become a principal dancer.

In collaboration with her manager Gilda Squire, she wrote, “She and I have a shared goal to bring ballet to more people and diversify it.

As a modern-day black dancer, she still remembers being told to pancake her skin a lighter color to fit in with the rest of the company.

Similar heights and leg lengths have historically been important to dance companies, and this ideal is being spread to race as well.

[7] More recently, ballet companies have wanted ballerinas to have athletic, muscular bodies like Misty Copeland.

[7] Some ballet directors believe that most dancers of color have “unsuitable features”, such as curvy bodies with larger breasts[8] and buttocks,[9] flat feet and differing hair textures.

[5] This has led to discrimination and racism against Black ballerinas, as they do not fit the profile that casting directors desire.

[5] Within ballet, similar leotards, tights and shoes are worn to maintain the desired uniform image.

The Dance Theater of Harlem has historically encouraged a variety of races and colors within their company as a diverse line is the image they are looking for.