Misty Copeland’s rise in the American Ballet Theater (ABT) was recently shown in a PBS documentary entitled “A Ballerina’s Tale”.  The film, produced by Nelson George, follows her climb from the age of 13, when she first took on ballet, through her moment as the first black woman to be named principal dancer at ABT.
I think that people think that sometimes I focus too much on the fact that I am a black dancer. There’s never been a black principal woman at the Royal Ballet, at the Paris Opera Ballet, at the Kirov Ballet, in the top companies in the world, in New York City Ballet, … in New York City.  I don’t think people realize what a feat it is, being a black woman.  But that is so much who I am, and I think it’s so much a part of my story. ~Misty Copeland in “A Ballerina’s Tale”
Many viewers (including myself) were inspired by documentary, but a few were rather disappointed and let it be known.  One woman, in particular, took to Twitter to express her distaste with race being an integral part of the film.  (Also, it seems rather suspicious that this is her first tweet under this account):
https://twitter.com/iamerinroy/status/696772212444041216
Really? Firstly, the film did not “label” ballet a “bastion of white supremacy”.  Ballet has done that completely on its own.  Secondly, this is Misty Copeland’s story — not yours.
A few people replied in support of Misty Copeland:
@iamerinroy when the doc. about you is filmed then you can dictate the focus and script..let @mistyonpointe tell HER story. You can not!
— Blakk Tie (@BlakkTie) February 10, 2016
@iamerinroy Her experiences as a ballerina of color are valid and not subject to your racial certitude. #stayinyourlane
— Michelle Butler (@Jaquebelle) February 10, 2016
Then another woman chimed in implying that black ballerinas should blame lack of opportunities and training rather than the ballet audience and companies.
https://twitter.com/katierdudley/status/696890344340791296
The first woman then proceeded to co-sign and tag the producer and Misty Copeland.
https://twitter.com/iamerinroy/status/696916173171126273
What happened next was an applaud-worthy response from Misty herself to the original tweet:
That's all wonderful when race isn't involved… But I'm a black ballerina with black American experiences. https://t.co/PQpnnavAnw
— Misty Copeland (@mistyonpointe) February 10, 2016
You tell her, Misty!  Others cheered for the ballerina as well, including this white woman who seems to get it:
https://twitter.com/Maxbubbacat/status/697267552490168320
If you have not yet seen “A Ballerina’s Tale”, you still have a chance.  Go to the PBS site through February 12 to view it for free.
What do you think of this discussion?
