Do you know what it took for Balanchine to put me, a black…
![“Do you know what it took for Balanchine to put me, a black man, on stage with a white woman? This was 1957, before civil rights. He showed me how to take her [holding her delicately by the wrist]. He said, ‘put your hand on top.’ The skin colors were part of the choreography. He saw what was going…” quote by Arthur Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/3ca/arthur-mitchell-58567_black_do-you-know-what-it-took-for-balanchine_1829924.jpg)
“Do you know what it took for Balanchine to put me, a black man, on stage with a white woman? This was 1957, before civil rights. He showed me how to take her [holding her delicately by the wrist]. He said, ‘put your hand on top.’ The skin colors were part of the choreography. He saw what was going to happen in the world and put it on stage.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Breaking racial barriers in art required courage and intentional collaboration.
In simple terms: Art can confront and reshape social norms.
Key Takeaway
Use art to challenge injustice.
Themes
race
art
collaboration
courage
history
Mood
reflective
hopeful
Type
inspirational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- theatre productions
- dance education
- community projects
- policy advocacy
Key Concepts
social change
representation
cultural integration
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you support inclusive art?
- What role does you play in social change?
A Different Perspective
Resistance may arise from entrenched biases.