Black Joy - The Freedom To Challenge

“Freedom is never given; it is won.”

—A. Philip Randolph

What is Black Joy to me? Freedom.

Freedom of expression.

Freedom of movement.

The freedom to challenge.

“The most dangerous phrase in the language is ‘we’ve always done it this way.’”

- Grace Hopper

Challenging “the norm” is something that I am quite passionate about.

Since its inception ballet has been a white-dominated art form, and thankfully the past few years have brought about more diversity across some of the world’s leading companies. However, the role of gender and its confines continue to be a source of great debate. Why shouldn’t a woman dance a (traditionally) male role if perfectly capable? Why shouldn’t a man dance en pointe and be taken seriously for it if skilful enough?

This is what I love about art, in all its forms, its need to change and to evolve with humans.

“There is nothing permanent except change.”

- Heraclitus

One of ballet’s most renowned works is Swan Lake. Its glittering score by Tchaikovsky is matched by challenging choreography akin to the works of Marius Petipa. Delving into the dual role of Odette/Odile (the white and black swan) is an occasion all ballerinas dream of rising to.

But what if one day a male dancer were to take on this traditionally female role in its formal setting. I say formal because there do exist times where males have danced Swan Lake - in Matthew Bourne’s production, or by the Ballet Trocks, for example.

Covent Garden, which is home to London’s Royal Opera House, has seen more trips to the Lake say over the past century than I dare say. Smack-bang in the middle of London it is usually bustling with tourists, locals and artists, but amidst the current lockdown it has become a ghost town.

Seizing hold of this rare opportunity I took time to perform some of the sequences from the ballet that bring me great joy. Firstly, the entrance of the white swan, Odette, scared of the Prince Siegfried who implores a conversation.

Secondly, the entrance and solo of Odile, the black swan - a name only derived in the 40s, over 60 years after its premiere. Cunning and manipulative, Odile tricks the Prince into believing that they are Odette, with similar swan-like gestures.

It is in these quiet moments, learning what these characters must be feeling, thinking and experiencing, and knowing that what I am doing is different, that my joy is at its height. I sincerely hope that my desire to challenge the “norm” will inspire others to do the same, and to continue to shape art and keep it moving with the world so it does not get left behind. These great classics are pure in their original form, but there is so much expanse for them to explore that it would be a true shame for them to remain stagnant.

“Defining myself, as opposed to being defined by others, is one of the most difficult challenges I face.”

—Carol Moseley-Braun

Black voices have been defined or muted by others for centuries. Technology lends us a voice, and social media teaches us a language our ancestors did not have. We have to use it.

The freedom we have to choose who we are and how we are seen is a powerful thing. I want to inspire black people to create art, to step outside of their comfort zone and question what they know. To challenge the world created by others for us and to shape that world.

“Never be limited by other people’s limited imaginations.”

—Dr. Mae Jemison, first African-American female astronaut