Raven Wilkinson

 Raven Wilkinson changed the world for African American dancers. Wilkinson loved ballet, but there were many people who did not love her doing it. She was the first African American to get a full time contract with a dance company. She faced racial discrimination throughout her career, but she still worked her hardest. People told her to cover up her race, but she was proud and determined to succeed.

   Raven was very successful, but all of her success had to start somewhere. She started dancing at the age of 9, when her uncle signed her up for lessons with Maria Swoboda, in New York City where she was born and lived for most of her life. She continued ballet throughout her entire life, infact, Raven loved dance so much she danced until she was 50 years old! Raven danced with a few different companies, her first one was Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo followed by Dutch ballet, and when she got homesick, New York City opera. Later in her life she was a mentor to Misty Copeland, another talented dancer. Raven lived a long happy life, doing what she loved and working hard to be able to do it.

   Even though Raven Wilkinson was successful she also faced many challenges. Imagine being forbidden to stay in a hotel because of your skin color? Well this happened to Raven. Since the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo was a touring company, they often stayed in hotels. In Atlanta, Raven was asked by the hotel owner what her race was, she told him the truth, and was forbidden to stay there. Raven wore white makeup to make her skin look lighter to protect the safety of her and her members, but refused to lie. This was not the only time she faced racial discrimination, in fact she had a couple run ins with the ku klux klan. Racial discrimination was not the only challenge she faced, she auditioned for Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo and got rejected two times. Even throughout these challenges Raven kept on dancing and never gave up.

  As you can see Raven Wilkinson is a hero. She was determined to do what she loved and changed the world for african american

dancers. Through racial discrimination and rejection, Raven never gave up on her dream. That is why we all should remember her.


                                        Sources


https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hmnTfCsmFc6exo82RJdOWDccaIpGCE2c/view


https://www.becauseofthemwecan.com/blogs/news/remembering-pioneering-ballerina-raven-wilkinson


https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/wilkinson-anne-raven-1935/


https://www.pointemagazine.com/remembering-raven-wilkinson-trailblazing-black-ballerina-2623864149.html

Comments

  1. AnonymousFebruary 26, 2021 at 10:08 AM

    I think you did very well so I have no criticism, but I have to say I really liked your topic paragraph.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousFebruary 26, 2021 at 10:13 AM

    This blog is great! I like your closing paragraph, it wrapped everything up nicely.

    ReplyDelete

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