Perhaps it is not that big a deal to Dance Magazine or Pointe Magazine but I do believe with the length of time they have acquired, collectively influencing over two hundred thousand of the world's dance enthusiasts, in various forms, it should come as an honor, on top of sharing advice, company promotions and at times, less than advantageous dance topics, to report notable news.
While I do not know the specifics of how either company chooses pieces, neither the factors that play a part in news they choose to share, I am disappointed that both entities have failed to inform their audiences of the passing of a legendary ballerina.
On October 10th, although a bit hesitantly (prematurely concluding that my proposal would be shot down), I messaged both Dance and Pointe Magazine. I informed them that a legend of dance had passed away and asked if they would share the article I published in her honor. I felt great. When I went to check on the status of my inquiry I was pleased to see that both organizations "hearted" my message. Well, a week has now gone by and neither have uttered a word.
You know, I am so over the fake development of racial equity, "allyship" and understanding from organizations that can't make a simple post about a piece of dance history. They find time to mention black dancers when it is plastered over landing pages or flooding our instagram timelines. They even find a way to, at a times, share ridiculous stories on sexuality within dance when it holds zero integrity in comparison to the elements of professional dance that actually inform and improve artists. But somehow, one simple post or a heartfelt article about the passing of Delores Browne slips through the cracks.
There are many people who have stood tall and loud about many discrepancies they bore within the dance world. Between representation, race and improper treatment in the workplace, many companies were forced to make generic apologetic statements and it worked because it got people to top standing up and speaking out about things that need to be changed. Well, I won't stand by and simply accept it.
If you are a supporter of either of these companies, contact them and ask them to run an article honoring the life, work, legacy and dance lineage of Delores Brown. This is about equal dissemination of information. I'm challenging you. If you truly stand for inclusion, respect, representation and every manner of equality, hold them responsible. Me personally, I don't care how many times they ignore my inquiries or my proposal to share my writings, I will continue prevailing in the craft that I love and respect.
And yes, it's that serious.
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