Can Ballet Be Feminist?
- blackgirlsarebeaut4
- May 2, 2020
- 1 min read
Updated: Aug 1, 2020
This will be a wonderful discussion for both men and women. America, Let's Talk.
"As ballet and society evolve, perhaps new interpretations of ballerinas can emerge."
Jennifer Fisher
Are ballerinas strong or fragile, gritty or ethereal? A look at the soaring, strong dance of a Misty Copeland or another prima ballerina brings all of those tensions into soaring, toe-shoed focus. And when dance historian Jennifer Fisher faced her own feelings about a tutu, she came to realize that ballerinas are a study in complex contradictions.
When Fisher gave a tutu to her three-year-old goddaughter, she had to confront her mother’s fear that the garment would seduce her into the dark side of dance. The dangers of ballet—from physical injury to exploitation, eating disorders and more—are all too well known, but after her conversation with her friend, Fisher realized that it was worth investigating how society interprets the ballerina. Fisher acknowledges the gender imbalances within dance; while the field is dominated by women, it is still largely directed and choreographed by men. On the other hand, cultural theorists have found strength within ballets themselves—stories of agency and independence that are enacted by women, for women. This article was taken from the JStor Daily
This article provides a thought-provoking exploration of the intersection between traditional ballet and feminist theory. It is insightful to see the discussion on how the art form is evolving—moving away from historical gender archetypes and toward a more inclusive, empowering space for all dancers. The focus on reclaiming agency and bodily autonomy within a rigid classical structure offers a valuable perspective on the cultural shifts occurring within the performing arts.
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