Day 3 100 PAINTINGS 100 INSIGHTS 100 DAYS

100 PAINTINGS 100 INSIGHTS 100 DAYS
Day 3
July 3, 2015
Painting: PRIMA
2012 16x20 Acrylic on Canvas
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A beautiful Black woman steps on to the world stage as the principal dancer of a prominent dance company. Her dedication, powerful stage presence and her delicate movements have brought her success and recognition. Her crown of diamonds is a testament that she has made it. I painted her with much love, as I was told when I was four years old that I could not be a ballerina, because there were no Black ballerinas.
How many times have any of us been told that we could not do something because we are too much, or not enough? Whenever we are challenged with words, coming from the outside, or thoughts, (coming from the inside) that we are not enough, it’s because somewhere in our past we have internalized that belief about ourselves.
But it’s not true. Who we are as human beings, is limitless. What we can accomplish is limited only by our imagination. When we live under the umbrella of limiting systems we are all impoverished. Systems that limit healthy human expression have an expiration date stamped on their existence, because they are based on fear, and fear is not sustainable. Love, however, is our natural default. It is a constant requiring only life to maintain it.
Today, in 2015, Black ballerinas are still a rarity in major companies. The magazine POINTE features a cover with three Black ballerinas in their June/July 2014 issue. It is the first time that three Black ballerinas are features on the cover of their trade magazine. Black Ballerinas still face issues of discrimination, racial biases and out and out racism from their peers, company directors, and dance moms. They have a tougher time moving through the ranks and getting the roles that make them visible enough to receive the coveted title of lead dancer, or PRIMA.
And still they dance!

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