Well, it is 2:43am eastern and I wanted to share this thought. There are a few times I’ve heard a phrase “I have to work ten times harder than everyone else” or “I have to work harder than everyone else”. The explanation to follow that quote or a version, is one that explains why the person feels justified as a black artist to consciously have to work harder than everyone else in the room. While “everyone else” typically refers to those who are not of African American descent the “work” entails the craft an individual has likely trained or studied greatly in. One of my dance teachers used to say “dance is hard enough” and I think you can insert your craft into that same sentence. What you do is already hard enough. Art is abstract, poised, daring, disciplined, creative, both subjective & definitive, personal & vulnerable. Why do you need to chain yourself to such a high-stakes comment that forces you to overwork and under enjoy your craft?
In an interview I did in 2022 I had such a great time. I was able to express the truth of my personal experience in my dance career thus far, as well as bridge a conversational gap between the many racial disparities that can sometimes take place when a black artist is the minority in a dance company and birthing a victors mentality in your dance career. What is the bridge? Courageous action. While there are a plethora of micro scenarios that can cause friction for a minority dancer, it all boils down to making a decision. One leads to triumph and all others lead to you dimming your light along with a trail of other decisions that’ll keep you in an emotional rollercoaster.
So, in the afore mentioned interview after being asked great questions, I was then directed to answer “As the only black woman in your company do you feel like you have to work harder than everyone else?” With a clear mind I answered. “No.” To this day I still believe this amazing interviewer was shocked. One, because he has probably heard his question as a response so many times and two, because I was 100% solid on my stance.
The second you buy into the lie that as a black dancer you somehow have to work harder than everyone else, you have just made yourself the company jester. I hope everyone in the room is working at their best potential ( and growing). As dancers we experience “off days” and other days make us feel like we should have been on stage with The Australian Ballet 2 seasons ago. The work is the work. You believing to have to work harder than anyone else to be noticed is a mental prison that will only stifle who you are in the studio, in rehearsals and on stage. I am no stranger to being a hard worker but there are boundaries. Perceived hierarchy in dance companies based on skin color or ethnicity, whether people are being biased against a person or group of people or the person is being biased against themselves, is a mental trap no one should fall for.
Now, to the young black woman making her way through various cities and experiences— that young woman who was once head-over-heels excited to mark out her path to dance greatness, don’t forget about that feeling. That initial inquiry of passion and potential career reality— don’t lose that! Dance is hard enough. Sure, some people will be less than inviting but tell your self how grateful you are to be in the same space as them. I wish I’d done that sooner.
And don’t pick up bad habits that masquerade as deep thinking. Don’t put words in people’s mouths. You don’t have to work 10x harder than anyone. Thank God for Janet Collins, Raven Wilkinson, Mel Tomlinson, Joan Myers Brown, Hinton Battle, Delores Browne, Arthur Mitchell, George Balanchine, and others. They did great work for dance. All you need to do is get in the studio and continue that dance.
Work hard for the work, not for anyone’s approval. Save that energy for running the biggest section of the ballet twice through, back to back at the tail end of the day while all you think about is that first sip of iced coffee you’ll enjoy on your way out of the studio to decompress in any creative way… For the next day.
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