The uncomfortable truth of being a Black ballerina
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- čas přidán 28. 05. 2024
- 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...
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#Ballet #BalletBlack
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The unfortunate history of black women being excluded from feminine or girly girl roles because of skin color.
@jerle schermerhorn No, she and other young people of color should continue to be told they're undeserving and less than because they aren't white. What are white people not enjoying that others have? Eminem and Post Malone are some of if not the most successful rappers ever..White people have and continue to enjoy everything.
True. Femininity is stripped from us
Blacks should stick to their own culture and traditions, born from their own blood and soil. Anything else is fake and contrived and inauthentic.
@@EgoShredder you do realize black americans have no connection to "cultures and traditions born from their own blood and soil" right? a main characteristic of slavery is that black people were /taken/ from their homeland and forceably disconnected from any culture, heritage, or identity, that might be theirs. so how can you so ignorantly say they should just "stick to their own culture" ? when it is their circumstance as black people that they have none.
not to mention cultural appropriation and that whole argument now, which is specifically about black people TRYING to create and own a NEW culture and tradition, that IS born from their blood. sorry to say it but you sound like a white american, who is proud of being american (or perhaps butthurt about -it- reverse racism), while simultaneously being ignorant to the consequences of your "americanness."
@@blankblank5231 What do you mean we don’t have culture!? We were on earth before slavery and slavery doesn’t even exist it was called servitude and white people were the main ones working in servitude
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.
Do it again, you'll be amazing
@@snatchingeveryone4929 I don’t know since I’m 150lbs >>
@@Nhozemphtekh the ballet body is a lie spread by most teachers to exclude most body types. Your weight doesn't matter it's your drive and resolve that do I believe in you 😊
Go back, you'll be amazing.
Do what you love! I hope you find good supportive teachers! I do ballet too! I am brown-skinned, and it’s hard because of our body shape, and skin color, but they inspire me to keep going!
The end with the dark ballet shoes brought me to tears👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿.
@Kelvin no the point was it was hard when she was growing up you tard
yes 👏🏻💕
truly 🥹🖤
she’s so beautiful and so strong. her story breaks my heart and inspires me at the same time
It broke our hearts, but she is an inspiration to us all.
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.
There’s a ballet channel called Everyday ballet if you’re still interested! She has several playlists and teaches for complete beginners and gives you a good start! :))
Teach yourself most learning is online now anyway. Good luck girl
i feel like thats not true and that it has become a trend for people to say that there is discrimination against the black community tho its not true. but I do wish the best for you and I hope you pursue your dreams of becoming a Prima Ballerina!
@@deedramathews280 are you even black ?
@@deedramathews280 ugh shut up! You don’t know this person so who are you to say this isn’t true?
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.
I love you Marie-Astrid because by loving yourself, you have loved me.
Be proud and always wear your crown. Everyone is beautiful !
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.
They sure did. She is beautiful and an inspiration
She’s with Ballet Black in London now, a phenomenal dancer
@@eoin.o.fiannachta That's wonderful!
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 dream!!!!!! 🎉🎊🎈💝🎁
Ballet is a European art form. You have no culture or history so you have to steal ours and have the nerve to complain
@@proudbulgarian5600 She wasn’t complaining. Also, they do have culture. If it was an European art form and part of their culture. (Which it is) then why is it that when all these other racial ethnic group do it it’s okay, but when you see black women you want to comment THIS. No ones complaining.
The nerve you have to comment this.
Out of all the videos you comment this BS under this video because you see a black woman and want to put her down and play victim. You don’t see other racial ethnic European groups like Russians, French, etc say this crap under these womens videos why do you have to say it?
Also this person could actually be part of an European group and is appreciating the art form.
@@DezDoodlezzz Really ??? Then why blacks trashing whites when they using white culture/art within crying just to get attention instead to show talant silently ?! Another idiotic blm “victim”…
@@proudbulgarian5600 the way europeans stole little everything from other cultures and oppressed them,enslaved them,raped them etc but you are here telling a black women that she doesn’t deserve to be part of something you guys have "created"?Might aswell give america to native americans back since y‘all literally stole this country from their original owners
@@proudbulgarian5600black people do have culture. Probably more culture than any other race in the world because black people were the original people. You have the nerve to sit here and complain about a black girl doing ballet when we have white rappers and white girls getting box braids. No one says anything about that though. America stole THEIR culture and claimed it as their own so all of the culture you think of, actually originated in black people. No one steals your culture and no one wants it either because all your race does is steal, take credit, and complain. You must be very uneducated
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.
Do it! I started at 47 and it's hard, but I love it. I've been dancing for almost five years now. This year I'm in the studio 6 days a week and I love it more every day. I wouldn't say I had a tone of discipline at first, but it built up over time and it's still growing. Start where you are; do what you can and as soon as you can, do more! All the best!
@@tammygant4216 omg thank you! I can't wait to start now
@@crishannarandle6551 Go for it! I love it hard as they say but totally worth the effort, feels great when you make improvements. And @Tammy Gant six days a week! If that's not discipline I don't know what is. I hope they gove you a discount for so many classes! I've only done one ballet and one floor barre class a week think I will go up to 2 ballet classes to improve better for next level.
@@priscillaeyles3301 I'll prolly start out going 1 or 2 days a week too but you ladies def inspired me in hoping to start in the summer
Goodluck to you all ! 🧡 I’m 30 and getting back into dance !
The male cast? Are they joking?
Nope, Marie was cast as a male dancer.
Not joking, but definitely a joke.
No, Just racist!
@hottoelicker - Not based solely on the level of melanin in their skin.
@hottoelicker Really! What did I miss? I've only seen this video, but I gather she worked hard enough to excel in one of the male roles as a female.
They fear your brilliance, so they seek to destroy it. They don’t understand it. Eagles among ducks.
Exactly. Those who CAN, DO and are too busy being FOCUSED, WORKING HARD, and ACHIEVING. Those who CAN'T, do what LOSERS DO BEST: attempt to tear down WINNERS. Unfortunately, they have an abundance of free time for these exploits.
Lol, who invented ballet again? Cultural appropriation at its finest. I guess they seek to destroy Eminem’s “brilliance” as well because he’s...
Lol, that's a bit over the top. Can you imagine her as Odette? Lol. Misty played the role and it was honestly a bit cringy. Like it was so inauthentic. Her sub-par skills also didn't help at all.
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.
why would there be as much representation? it is a cultural dance from the french, russians, and italians. not condoning the racism she experienced being in ballet but it is still our culture.
@@user-wi8gp7zw8i You realize black people can be French, Russian, and Italian right? Why wouldn’t there be any representation?? Never once did I mention any culture bc I understand it is apart of culture. But this culture is also known to be a profession.. which ALL races, ethnicities, and nationalities can work for.
@@ava-nh2ei their only way of being part of those cultures is assimilating the inventions of the people who are tied to that history by blood. that’s why. if i hypothetically we’re to start playing jazz as an italian, i would want the people who have a deeper cultural connection to it be associated with it. out of respect and preservation. i would speak out against any mistreatment like she did, but i wouldn’t demand to be represented.
and people in general don’t think of it as a cultural thing because it is being disassociated with europe.
@@user-wi8gp7zw8i I see. But what do you mean by “Demand to be represented”?? Did I or the woman in this video say that??
@@ava-nh2ei you acted like little representation was unreasonable, which was the reason for my reply. i never claimed you or she demanded anything.
I am black and the first thing my ballet teacher told me when I said I wanted to be a ballet dancer was : "You should do contemporary. This will be a better option for you. "
I never got that comment from a Russian teacher.
Wow I didn’t know it was that color to match the skin .. I just thought it was pink for a cute color . 🤦🏽♀️
@hottoelicker I didn’t say it was any ones fault lol . And wym “ we “ lol white ppl can make a color that blends better with our skin ? Lol we cute with pink to sis so gtf tryna be slick racist .
@hottoelicker I don’t have a problem with the color pink it’s cute !! I just ain’t know they made it that color on purpose ? You get it now .
@hottoelicker well now I know that .. and it’s good they make brown to blend with darker skin tones now .. every one should chase they dreams n be who they wanna be .
@hottoelicker Hispanic not a race.......
When she took off point shoes and turned into contemporary ballet from classic ballet, iit matched with a monologue. astonishing. She is really cool.
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.
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!
I need some black ballet teachers on this here CZcams, so little black girls that can’t afford classes can start from home and grow with positivity
Plenty of free ballet videos online to start.
OMG! I could cry! I have experienced the same as a dancer and now as a choreographer and teacher!!!
The most beautiful ballerina. Not because you’re black but because you’re beautiful and your dancing is so effortlessly!
Then you don’t know a shit about the ballet.Get some info.
@@West-Telecom Touch grass
@@subtopewpewpie Same to u
@@West-Telecom You need it
@@subtopewpewpie You either
Who gives these humans the right to brainwash the world into thinking their way, perceptions, looks and basically everything, is the right way. Someone's going to burn in hell for criticising God's creation.
It's time for people to start thinking for themselves and stop worshiping some
@@lenirasusana5693 Stopping following the Abrahamic mind virus religions would be a start. Why Europeans worship gods and ideologies from desert lands is a mystery. There was forced conversion, e.g. convert from our own ethnic folk faith and ancestor veneration to Christianity, but that was not much of a choice! Convert or die!?
@@EgoShredder Bingo! When i see a crucifix I’m reminded of how our ancestors were both beheaded and burned alive in front of their children to force conversion to worship a desert daemon, Xstianity needs to return to the desert 🐪 where it originated.
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
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!
Keep breaking boundaries girl, you are feminine and gorgeous.
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!
You’re at 26 thinking you’re old to do ballet and here i am at 15 (turning 16) thinking i’m too old to start ballet cuz i never had experience as a toddler as most girlies had😭. I’m a native/indigenous latin and when i look at the girlies that perform at paris opera and the other fancy places that do ballet, they all have one single thing in common, their skin colour, (i’m a dark olive skin girl) and as I’m watching this girl’s story I’m studying if i should ask my parents to sign me up🥲
Incredibly moving & well done🌟
BEAUTIFUL! So inspiring.
Thank you so much for doing this and sharing your story.
Bravo!! 😍🤗 Hello from Houston, TX.! Beautiful interpretation and story. Gorgeous woman. 02.19.2021
I say keep fighting!! The next generation need to know that they can achieve and that black women in dance are to be taken seriously!Go Marie-Astrid!!
Its not her culture. She should stop it . Its disrespectful.
@@worldwideugly3753 how is fighting for what you want disrespectful!? Or wanting equality in a dance form such as ballet,which is mostly middle class and white. The arts should be accessible to all!
@@mariposaorofusionfoodchann7573 The Arts should be accessible to all, correct. Everyone no matter what skin colour deserves a chance in their chosen art / career. It's sad some people cant see or help support that. We are lucky and grateful towards the people who are making the change!
@@choreoarts3095 Yay!! I hope she does find success! The arts are going to change for sure but its slow and steady!
@@mariposaorofusionfoodchann7573 Leave our culture alone FFS! It's White because duh....... its our ethnic culture and tradiiton!
Poésie visuelle et paroles criantes de vérités.
She's beautiful, strong and amazingly talented.
Powerful piece of art that could easily bring some peace of mind to all young ballet dancers struggling
with this kind of stuff.
You can do it too.
Marie-Astrid Mence you're amazing ❤️
Gorgeous girl! Contrats for staying in the ballet world ! I gave up a long time ago and always regretted it :(
Bravo! Wonderful work of art - dance and words. This should have millions of views! Imagine!
this is absolutely beautiful!! i feel very seen
Thank you for sharing your story!
I am happy that you never gave up on your dream. Your story gives all black dancers hope. I too didnot give on dance:)❤👍🏻👍🏻
This entire video broke my heart.
She is beautiful.
Hola, ojalá enviaran la traducción. Gracias
I wanted to be a ballerina and a model. I was scouted by someone who worked in a agency who wanted me to go to New York. But my body was coming in and it was becoming fuller and I was so heart broken. I felt like I needed to eat less and I still felt like I wouldn't be good enough, never thin enough and I wouldn't make it. Out of 300 girls that were suppose to go in and only around 8 would get selected and how was I gonna be one of those that get picked when I was starting to get a womans body at 14. I never went for it. The thought of going all the way to new york to get rejected would of broken me.
Beautiful amazing Queen I am so glad that you didn't give up continue to be a role model and knowing that you is is and always will be a beautiful Queen I'm very proud of you
Wow I love this so much ! ♥️
Art is a reflection of human culture and sensibility. The norms and strictures are and can be defined by the consensus of the culture. It's not wrong, nor is it right. It just is. I do believe, however, that as moral creatures, our highest allegiance should be to our fellow man and not the traditional strictures of an artform. Art, ideally, should serve human beings and not the other way around. Art, ideally, should be a means to elevate the soul of human beings. I am convinced that elevation often involves rethinking traditional strictures. Isn't that what makes art a "living" human expression as opposed to a superficial shell, restricting the growth of humanity? I do recognize that there are those for whom the "shell" is all there is and all there needs to be. Aren't they then like "reproductionists" who look to perfectly reproduce only what has been already done. Even though it's level of refinement may be exceedingly high, how humanly authentic or genuine can it be if it ignores the reality of life in the present?
@Kelvin Higgs I hear you. Traditions are made to serve people, not people to serve traditions. There are no absolutes in art, IMO. Everything worth doing is open to re-evaluation to see if it serves the needs of those it's supposed to serve. You're right, tradition shouldn't be abandoned simply because it has existed for a long time. It's long existence is usually evidence of it's integrity, but humanity has always been in some mode of transformation and traditions will change along with society or they will manifest as an impediment to that change. In the end it won't serve the longevity of the artform to reject change. But it's a big world and there's enough room for traditionalists and for reformers.
she’s so beautiful and an AMAZING DANCER so inspiring!!!!!!
I'm a. African American and I have never allowed color to stop me from doing what I know I can do. In Jesus name Amen
Quelle femme extraordinaire
Beautiful!
Beautiful ❤️
You are so amazing thank you so much.
Powerful!
We stand with you 💜💜💜
it's horrible she was treated like that I'm glad she didn't give up
as for having lots of coloured shoes that's simply down to cost and demand
This is beautiful
You are BEAUTIFUL!
I am sorry we live in a world with people do ugly and cruel.
Oh, you are incredible in the art of ballet dance. ❤️
Thank you for creating this film. She is so gorgeous and her story needs to be told.
Is she still with Phoenix? I would love to see her perform. I live in Arizona.
I stand with you, Black Queen. ♥️
Wow.
i’m proud to be a black dancer ❤ this is so inspiring
Just beautiful
Omg that was magnificent! I cried!! 😍😍😍
I cried
Childhood dream as a little girl✨💫🦋.. this and becoming a full entertainer.
Such a powerful story- So glad you followed your dream. Keep dancing.
I'm not black or a poc but I've always thought that black people looks the most beautiful and elegant they always give me that vibe, I love ballet but I was so sad that I never saw black dancers, and when I found you o understand why, they're are afraid that people would see that black people look far more elegant and gorgeous than any other white girl. I adore you 💕
BINGOOOOOOOO!!!!!
Splendide
THANK YOU SO MUCH for fighting and speaking out for all black girls turned away from ballet. Your words touched my soul and I totally understand. No matter what, Sister...KEEP DANCING. We have, and we will continue to prove their hatred , jealousy and racism wrong!
Profoundly beautiful!!!
Never stop!!! Hugs!!!Love!!!
🙋🏿♀️ I believe you / Je vous crois & I believe in you / Je crois en vous.
She was in France or some other country. In NYC there is the DANCE THEATRE OF HARLEM.... BLACK BALLERINAS. There are other black ballet companies in the USA. Just like opera. But she was in Europe.
Brilliant!
Making it happen, makes it easier for others behind you. Be proud of what you accomplished against all odds
This is so beautiful. Yes i search for this video cause i found it rare to find a darkskined ballerina.
It is rare but this year has allowed people to open their own eyes and see that the ballet industry needs changing.
I really want to see a show with her now to support her!
WoW!!! Well done to her!
My childhood dream was to become a ballerina, but after finally getting in to my first class, I was told my body shape wasn’t right, in particularly my bum was too big to ever become a ballerina….I was 8 years old.
She is so beautiful and graceful.
shes so beautiful!!!!
Wow
she is very beautiful and expressive in her arms leg work.
*these onions*
So beautiful.
👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾💐
It would be soooo boring if we were all the same!!!!!! You are a pioneer! Stay strong and the kids will read about you someday!
Nope. Whites are the most diverse looking race in the world. Cope harder brown
@@proudbulgarian5600 no there not there boring
Amazing in every way!!
Oh black ballet girls have nicer body- shapes than other race. They also get powerful muscles but people said that they didnt like swans with black skin. We have to admit all telented people.
❤❤❤
Bravo Maria
i’m in tears..... the pointe shoes and leotard that match her skin tone at the end
damn...
You are beautiful and graceful! ❤️
🥺🥺🥺
I just can’t relate to this as a FBA whose met Caribbean and African from Europe they stress without being asked that they are English or French or European without a hyphen and that there’s is little to no racism in their countries . This is not a few but everyone last one . So I’m just watching convient racism and European taking advantage of the hard work and sacrifice of FBA in America instead of fixing their country of origin so they can stay there and flourish .
Hiya. How are you now?
She's beautiful!
I fucking love her 💜💜💜💜
I'M WELL OVER SIXTY, Black, and I would still take a ballet class. In the early sixties, they said who ever heard of a black ballet dancer! Although the teacher said how very good I was, it took only one negative statement to take me out of class!! If you love ballet you just keep dancing! Dance for yourself and so many like us that didn't get to perdue our dream!!! 😘
You are beautiful ❤️❤️❤️
She is so beautiful
That is obviously a lie 🤣
When she wore the dark brown pumps I wanted to cry. Keep that fire spirit burning bright, Marie-Astrid.
I'm 14 and im black i want to start ballet but its expensive and I'm scared it's too late