At at the end of February, Time Magazine met up with our current POTUS, President Barack Obama, and Principle Ballerina, Misty Copeland. The interview discussed overcoming adversity and stereotypes in their respective fields in which they have both become top achievers. These adversities would include the fact that both are of mixed race (but don’t look caucasian), were raised by single mothers, and overall just did not “look right for the part.”
In case you live under a rock, President Obama is the first of a race other than white to be elected as President of the United States. Ballerina, Misty Copeland, is the first African-American woman to become a Principle Dancer at America’s National Ballet Company; American Ballet Theatre (ABT). The ABT’s website states it has been “recognized as a national treasure” since 1940 when it was founded. The ABT also states it is the only institution in its organization that performs on annual tours inside, and outside of the United States.
Being a Principle Dancer means that Misty is a true ‘Prima Ballerina’ in every sense of the term. Becoming a Principle Dancer means that you are the star of the ballet. As Misty said in her interview, only a mere 1% become Principal Dancers in their company. In the interview Misty discusses how her athletic build and large feet often caused her to be denied entry into ballet companies and roles in classical ballets. In her ESPN special titled “The Firebird,” Misty discusses how she was actually told that she was the wrong color to dance in’Swan Lake.’ Listen to what she says about it here…
Misty Copeland- Told Her Skin Color Was Wrong for Swan Lake
Check out Misty’s BANGING athletic build…
Photo credit MistyCopeland.Com
Misty has used her platform to bring worldwide attention to her struggle to become a professional ballerina by authoring books, community outreach, and endorsements through companies like Under Armour. Under Armour launched a campaign called “I Will What I Want” which features Misty in a captivating and breathtaking commercial. The commercial starts out by reading a letter in which a young ballerina is denied entry into a ballet academy because of her physical features. Click on the link below to check out the commercial…
I WILL WHAT I WANT- Misty Copeland Under Armour Commercial
Misty continues in the interview by describing that it is a heavy weight to be representing the black population so she tries to focus on just being the best dancer she can be. However, she goes on to say that being black in such an un-diversed field does give her that “fire” that she doesn’t think she would have had if she didn’t have to push her self a little bit harder than her peers.
Misty condones POTUS for his humbleness and ability to stay that way regardless of being at the top of his game and so well liked by the population. POTUS reminds Misty that even as a Prima Ballerina you will have friends who will remind you of “that one time” story that will bring you back down to earth.
The entire interview is about 35 minutes long and can be viewed here…
Full Length- Time Magazine Interview w/ President Obama & Misty Copeland
Here’s my takeaway from this interview…
Barack Obama as a young bi-racial male overcame all the odds that are against a black male who was raised in an urban city by a single mother. By ignoring the odds, stereotypes, or anyone who said he couldn’t…HE DID! The same goes for Misty Copeland…SHE DID! These stories will go down in our history books and will be highly sought after by any child who feels like that can’t do or be anything more than society tell them to be. Our next generation will see that there hope for the future so long as you continue to pursue it. “I WILL WHAT I WANT”
Keep Smiling,
Cree
If you like this post and would like to hear more from me follow my blog at CreesChronicle.wordpress.com. More importantly, I want to hear from you! Stop by to tell me what you think, how you feel, what you want to talk about, or just to say “hey!” by reaching out on Twitter @CreeCunningham or on Facebook at facebook.com/creeschronicle. Thank you for your time.