 |
| Patrice Worthy, Publisher of PWorthy Archives |
I choose to write a feature about the Atlanta Ballet because the company had been so welcoming to me as the publisher of PWorthy.com, but also because they were performing great works. I truly enjoyed the choreography of Tara Lee and Amy Seiwert. I was full of excitement at attending the performances and collaborations with hip-hop legends. It was never my intention to hold the company’s feet to the fire regarding their lack of Black dancers, but before I conducted any interviews I told them "I have to address this, but I will do so with class."
I believe pointing out issues of race is important, but I also believe being armed with possible solutions makes the problem relevant. So I addressed the issue and asked how they planned to bring more Black dancers into AB. As someone familiar with the arts, I completely understand the lack of Black faces at a symphony or ballet isn’t entirely the fault of the company. However not having one Black dancer in a ballet company based in Atlanta, a majority Black city, didn’t sit well with me. No one ever seemed to say anything so I wasn’t even sure if people noticed, but I did. John McFall, former artistic director of AB, and Arturo Jacobus, former president and CEO of AB, discussed the problems facing the ballet by informing me of the challenges on their end, which I thought was fair. The high art world just started thinking about Black folks as patrons, and the lack of awareness didn’t begin or end with AB. In fact, a lack of diversity could be seen and felt in most art organizations throughout the U.S. But it wasn’t long after I wrote the article, AB hired Kiara Felder, the first and only Black dancer to join the company. They asked me to break the story, and again urged me to handle it with class. I agreed as long as they provided a photo of Felder flying through the air to package with the story - I got my photo.
Looking back handling the new ballerina with care was not just about preserving the company’s optics. Writing the profile piece without inserting my own projections or those of the community was about giving Felder dignity. As a newbie, she deserved to dance free and unencumbered with the issue of her race. Felder was the first and only Black ballerina at AB, and she needed to navigate that position in a way that felt authentic and easy for her. Felder needed to be light enough to fly through the air.
Soon after, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra hired Nicole Jordan, the first Black Librarian at a major orchestra in the U.S. Again I was asked to break the story and to do so with care, and I did. Jordan was an absolute delight and the gravity of her position rolled right off her shoulders. Her duties kept her behind the scenes, so she didn’t feel the same pressure as Felder, but there was pressure. For many of us who have been involved in traditionally non-Black activities - whatever those are- we are accustomed to being the first and only.
Growing up I was the only Black person in my class through freshman year in high school. While attending college I lived in a quad with a Russian, Korean, and Ashkenazi Jewish girl. At Indiana University I became the first collegiate fashion editor to cover New York Fashion Week and held the position of Fashion Editor, that I created, at a predominantly white college (pwi) for four years. So I understand the isolation that comes with being a first and only. I’ve been many firsts and sometimes the status can feel unfair. Breaking barriers isn’t easy when there is no one to guide you because you’re the first. Every action, word, and thought is scrutinized and your performance is always under review. In addition, your strapped with the responsibility of making sure those that come after you are seen in a positive light, and sometimes depending on the field, discrimination can ruin what was supposed to be a great milestone in our lives.
My advice is to give our first a little more grace and a little more freedom to make their status and positions their own. No one is above critique, but many times our first Black writers, dancers, classical musicians, gymnasts, race car drivers, etc., are giving us spectators a first as well.
Sincerely,
Patrice Worthy
Publisher, PWorthy Archives
January 23, 2025