There is some controversy brewing in the world of ballet.
Renowned ballerina Misty Copeland is facing criticism for her efforts to promote inclusivity and diversity in the ballet shoe emoji. She recently started a petition to convince Apple to add more shades of color to the traditional pink ballet shoe emoji.
In a post to her 1.8 million Instagram followers on September 21, Copeland, who made history as the first black principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre, explained the historical context behind ballet and its association with fair skin color. She argues that adding more diverse shades to the ballet shoe emoji would be a step towards acknowledging the racial diversity of the art form.
However, critics have pushed back against Copeland’s initiative, dismissing it as unnecessary and accusing her of seeing racism where it doesn’t exist. Comments like “It’s just an emoji” and “Pink isn’t a skin color” have flooded in, undermining her cause.
One detractor, Abby Marie Johnson, shared her own experience with foster care and emphasized the importance of focusing on unity rather than dividing people based on race. Johnson’s comment was met with backlash, including accusations of white privilege.
Copeland, who is married to attorney Olu Evans and lives in an Upper West Side condo worth over $3 million, has also faced criticism based on her privilege and wealth.
Some individuals, like Daphney Hewitt, who has a background in dance, see no issue with pink ballet shoes. Hewitt argues that the color was originally intended to match the skin tone of the early dancers and remains a recognizable symbol of ballet.
Despite the backlash, Copeland’s petition has garnered over 22,000 signatures and received support from individuals like Fola Walker, who defended Copeland against critics. Walker believes the outrage over such a small change is unwarranted.
Fábio Mariano, co-founder of the social media platform Blacks in Ballet, highlights the significance of acknowledging diversity and representation in small details like emojis. He compares it to the impact of seeing a brown Barbie doll in a store filled with predominantly white dolls. Mariano emphasizes that these seemingly small changes can have a profound effect on underrepresented communities.
Neither Copeland nor Apple have issued any official comments in response to the controversy.
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