Facebook Publication Date: 2/20/2022 8:02

Racism and white supremacy in Western Classics, however defined, be it Opera, classical dance, orchestral music, is real. In this case, it goes as deep as our vocal chords.

It’s not just about, it’s never only about representation on its own.

It’s how we are allowed to be represented.

Early on in this video, you’re going to see someone say plainly that the reason Marian Anderson was considered a contralto and not a soprano (because she could sing in that range), is because Sopranos were an are traditionally considered as love interests.

That simply wouldn’t fly.

As well, contraltos, possibly because it was the only range that for a long time black women were allowed to sing, also carried masculine archetypes along with them.

This goes into not just the singing, but how we were disseminated by white culture as well.

When I think of the great classical singers of the 20th century oh, I think about all of this.

I think about who are allowed to be loved and cherished and sought-after on the stage and how that reinforced (and still reinforces) what went on outside.

I think about my own life in theater and the roles that I was and was not allowed to play.

I think about directors who came to me and said to me point-blank, ya, you’re best for the role but we can’t do a mixed cast.

I think about my own voice, better better suited to soprano oh, but I trained myself to be a second and even an alto.

When it comes to popular styles of genres, my voice is better suited to country and bluegrass it’s a little thin, it’s a little reedy (think Mickey Guyton), but 40 years ago people wanted a robust sound coming out of a brown throat.

I learned how to do that (sorta) but it did not come naturally.

And now–to the pivot, which goes far deeper than opera.

We’re talking about the limited range of possibilities for black performers, and not just those of us on the stage.

What we’re ‘allowed’ to write about, what we’re allowed to even *think* about is constrained unless there is an intentional effort to break out of the box that dominant culture puts on us. ( for example, the vast majority of you would be quite surprised if I devoted a thousand words to international monetary policy or mission style furniture. But I could.)

This is an incredibly big deal.

At the end of the day who is allowed to be seen in particular kinds of ways is a synonym for who is allowed to be loved or respected or whose full humanity is acknowledged.

Reflect, and then comment.

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