The uncomfortable truth of being a Black ballerina

Marie-Astrid Mence has been a member of Ballet Black since 2014—a seminal dance company formed of Black and Asian performers who astound audiences with displays of balletic beauty and power. Mence’s journey to becoming their Senior Artist, however, had a turbulent beginning in her hometown of Paris. In this documentary profile directed by Rebecca Murray, Mence narrates the uncomfortable truths of her life as a ballerina and her struggles in an industry that fails to see past her skin color...

#Ballet #BalletBlack
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[liselottehildegarde]

The unfortunate history of black women being excluded from feminine or girly girl roles because of skin color.

[Nhozemphtekh]

I’m Native American and Huch means I’m brown, and I used to do ballet at 4-7. I quit because of how painful it was and the way my teachers would treat me for my colour. I’m 15 now and considering on going ballet again. This lady inspires me to go jack at it again. She’s awesome.

[lola]

i’m 14 and i’ve wanted to do ballet forever but my parents never had time or money i really want to this is really encouraging and inspiring as i’d heard that black ballerinas weren’t treated fairly.

[parvatibrantuo]

The end with the dark ballet shoes brought me to tears👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿.

[Faizita]

This brought me to tears, I LOVE Black Women. I am so proud and happy to be a Black Woman. It brings me great joy to see my people excelling and following their dreams, they deserve endless kindness, care, and love.

[hischosen]

As a little girl, I truly wanted to be a ballerina. I don't know when or where I was introduced to seeing ballerinas. I used a white girl's points that were way to small, they both hurt and felt good on my feet...who knows what could have happened had my mom had the financial resources. I have love and respect for dancers of color who have and who will pursue and follow their heart and 🎉🎊🎈💝🎁

[moon-tork]

she’s so beautiful and so strong. her story breaks my heart and inspires me at the same time

[haute]

I'm glad Marie-Astrid found a place at Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre and then at the Phoenix Dance Theater. The French dance companies really lost out.

[julrc_]

I'm a black latin American woman, and I never had money to had ballet classes, but always was my dream! I'm 26 now, and I am really tough with myself, I always say that I'm old but I know that my body can do this! I'm crying!

[crishannarandle]

This was beautiful when I turn 30 next year I'm going to enroll in an adult ballet class because I've always wanted to just never had the discipline to but this gorgeous dancer is definitely inspiration.

[johanasilva]

Thank you for this. Be the only black girl in the class sometimes scare me, but now I know, im not alone. I want and im gonna do my on progress!

[ava-nhei]

I’ve been keeping up with ballet for a few weeks now and I realized how little representation we have of black women. It breaks my heart to see how we get treated solely because of our skin color. I hope many young black little girls will never be treated like this as our times change.

[miutokunaga]

When she took off point shoes and turned into contemporary ballet from classic ballet, iit matched with a monologue. astonishing. She is really cool.

[annihull]

You are a beautiful ballet dancer. I am sorry for the Prejudice that you have suffered and I am so thankful that you persevered. Long may you dance. Blessings

[jongleurette]

I am so sorry for the abuse you have suffered. You are obviously a master dancer, bringing much beauty to this world. Your grace and perfect dancing is truly breath taking. I have spent my life in the classical arts, and I am ashamed that you've been treated so badly. I support and encourage all Black dancers to join the classical arts. You are treasures!

[zeeeefineass]

Wow I didn’t know it was that color to match the skin .. I just thought it was pink for a cute color . 🤦🏽‍♀️

[CozyQueen_]

I was told the same thing. My butt was too big and my gut and my thighs and I was like 14! I gave up. But I still have a passion for dance.

[PatriciaSonia]

They fear your brilliance, so they seek to destroy it. They don’t understand it. Eagles among ducks.

[KenyaRWoods]

OMG! I could cry! I have experienced the same as a dancer and now as a choreographer and teacher!!!

[BeautiFuFu]

I need some black ballet teachers on this here YouTube, so little black girls that can’t afford classes can start from home and grow with positivity