Appalled, Outraged, Saddened and Stunned!!!
Thomas: Let director know what you think of natural hair
By Wendi C. Thomas
Contact
November 27, 2005
Appalled, outraged, saddened and stunned.
That's what readers have to say about the incident created by Karen Zissoff, director of Dance Works.
What readers want to know is what they can do about Zissoff's disdain for natural black hair, as detailed in this space last Sunday.
Background: Zissoff, who runs a classical ballet program for mostly black girls, has banned Destini Berry from her first recital because the 7-year-old black girl has thin shoulder-length dreadlocks.
Zissoff, who is white, insists ballet dancers don't have locks, but she's never bothered to add that rule to her registration materials or newsletters.
For performances, Zissoff's dancers must wear their hair in buns. Takeisha Berry can pull her daughter's hair into a bun, which you can see online with my column last Sunday.
Virtually all of the 200-plus readers who have flooded my e-mail and voice mail say Destini's bun looks fine. But Zissoff, who leases space for Dance Works from Southwest Community College, says if Destini wants to perform Dec. 12 with the other students, she'll have to cut off her hair.
Or, Zissoff offered, in what she clearly thinks is a generous gesture, Destini can leave her locks alone and perform alone Dec. 11.
In the last week, the news has spread across the country, thanks to lively debate on local radio shows, coverage on WMC-TV and at least two blogs.
Zissoff has alerted the Tennessee Arts Commission, which gives grant money to Dance Works and has rules against discrimination by any group that receives government funds.
Southwest Tennessee Community College says its only tie to Zissoff is the lease agreement, but Zissoff has a Southwest e-mail address and on her brochures, implies she's affiliated with the college's fine arts department. Southwest also hosts Dance Works' Web pages, a link college president Dr. Nathan Essex says he's investigating.
Destini's mother still takes Destini to dance lessons, in the hopes her child will be allowed to join the Dec. 12 recital.
If you, like I, can't believe that Zissoff won't allow a child to perform because she wears locks, here's what you can do.
Suggest Zissoff (901-333-5174) or (kjzissoff@southwest.tn.edu) try a career that doesn't involve black girls and their natural hair. Ask Essex (901-333-4426) if the school's ties to Zissoff are consistent with their commitment to diversity.
Ask the Greater Memphis Arts Council (executive director Susan Schadt, 901-578-2787, ext. 219 or sschadt@memphisartscouncil.org) how its fund-raising efforts might be affected by giving a $3,000 grant to a woman who stubbornly stands by her discriminatory policies.
And most importantly, show Destini that she should be proud of her natural hair.
If Zissoff decides to put children before her ridiculous rules, Destini will dance Dec. 12, surrounded by her classmates.
If not, Destini will perform Dec. 11, alone but surrounded by a supportive community.
Contact Wendi C. Thomas at (901) 529-5896 or send an e-mail
By Wendi C. Thomas
Contact
November 27, 2005
Appalled, outraged, saddened and stunned.
That's what readers have to say about the incident created by Karen Zissoff, director of Dance Works.
What readers want to know is what they can do about Zissoff's disdain for natural black hair, as detailed in this space last Sunday.
Background: Zissoff, who runs a classical ballet program for mostly black girls, has banned Destini Berry from her first recital because the 7-year-old black girl has thin shoulder-length dreadlocks.
Zissoff, who is white, insists ballet dancers don't have locks, but she's never bothered to add that rule to her registration materials or newsletters.
For performances, Zissoff's dancers must wear their hair in buns. Takeisha Berry can pull her daughter's hair into a bun, which you can see online with my column last Sunday.
Virtually all of the 200-plus readers who have flooded my e-mail and voice mail say Destini's bun looks fine. But Zissoff, who leases space for Dance Works from Southwest Community College, says if Destini wants to perform Dec. 12 with the other students, she'll have to cut off her hair.
Or, Zissoff offered, in what she clearly thinks is a generous gesture, Destini can leave her locks alone and perform alone Dec. 11.
In the last week, the news has spread across the country, thanks to lively debate on local radio shows, coverage on WMC-TV and at least two blogs.
Zissoff has alerted the Tennessee Arts Commission, which gives grant money to Dance Works and has rules against discrimination by any group that receives government funds.
Southwest Tennessee Community College says its only tie to Zissoff is the lease agreement, but Zissoff has a Southwest e-mail address and on her brochures, implies she's affiliated with the college's fine arts department. Southwest also hosts Dance Works' Web pages, a link college president Dr. Nathan Essex says he's investigating.
Destini's mother still takes Destini to dance lessons, in the hopes her child will be allowed to join the Dec. 12 recital.
If you, like I, can't believe that Zissoff won't allow a child to perform because she wears locks, here's what you can do.
Suggest Zissoff (901-333-5174) or (kjzissoff@southwest.tn.edu) try a career that doesn't involve black girls and their natural hair. Ask Essex (901-333-4426) if the school's ties to Zissoff are consistent with their commitment to diversity.
Ask the Greater Memphis Arts Council (executive director Susan Schadt, 901-578-2787, ext. 219 or sschadt@memphisartscouncil.org) how its fund-raising efforts might be affected by giving a $3,000 grant to a woman who stubbornly stands by her discriminatory policies.
And most importantly, show Destini that she should be proud of her natural hair.
If Zissoff decides to put children before her ridiculous rules, Destini will dance Dec. 12, surrounded by her classmates.
If not, Destini will perform Dec. 11, alone but surrounded by a supportive community.
Contact Wendi C. Thomas at (901) 529-5896 or send an e-mail
posted by Tempie | 4:29 AM
1 Comments:
I am very pleased to report that I have gotten so much positive feedback and support since I sent this message out. I also received a beautiful email from the editor Wendi as well as the executive director for my comments and support.
Post a Comment
<< Home