The dance world is a very complex space. It’s like a well polished jewel. However when you really look deep into it’s core, it’s a mirror image of society. Like art in general this space is a very imperialistic, white supremacist, capitalistic, misogynist space. Its structure is based on domination. Its very foundation is very global north-centered and often neglects or lacks responsibilities for marginalized folks, while extracting from these communities.

It’s very easy to be fooled by its glamour. However, this space can be very violent to folks who do not fit the image of the global north. Even how we view performances is very much influenced by a colonial gaze – the desire for white, thin bodies who have the privilege to be soft and dainty, while others bodies are crippled with despair always seen as savage, aggressive etc.

As a former dance student, my experience with this violence was based on how my body was viewed. Not only am I black but I am queer and non-binary and all those identities are interchangeable. I heard teachers even back in South Africa ( where I had a my formative dance education) telling me that in order to be the best I had to look a certain way. The most common conversation I and a lot of dancers have heard is that, in order to have the best technique a ballet background gives you the opportunity to be the best dancer. Technique is equated to ballet, while other dance styles are seen more as social dance, ethnic dance, exotic dance.

I have experience being in a predominantly white dance school and a Black and brown school. Both experiences were different: In the one case you have people who look like you – having a collective and individual experience. In the other case you are completely visible but not seen, you become a spokes-person for all people of color. Everything you do is viewed from a colonial gaze. What both these spaces have in common however is domination. Only certain bodies – often closer to western bodies – gets the chance to be seen as individuals, allowed to fail and succeed. That’s the privilege that folks who look like me can not afford.

Is the dance world ready to face its racism? What does that look like? Oftentimes the folks who speak out on the injustice, mistreatment, sexual violation and violence they have received or witnessed have been ostracized. These structures need to do better. It’s not enough to preach diversity while lacking the responsibility that comes with it. Ignorance is a choice.