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Monday, August 26, 2019
World’s First ‘Hijabi Ballerina’ Is Forging a Path for Dancers from Diverse Backgrounds
www.globalcitizen.org: Meet Stephanie Kurlow, a 15-year-old Australian dancer who is changing the face of ballet in Australia. Kurlow grew up in the south-west of Sydney, and has been dancing since the tender age of 2. She also happens to wear a hijab.
It is so important for young girls, everyone honestly, everywhere to have representation in popular media. For young girls that consider to not wear a hijab because ‘nobody cool wears them,’ Kurlow is a catalyst for change. Kurlow’s choices to wear a hijab while dancing ballet was not an overnight decision for her; it took years for her to find other role models similar to her. Not only did Kurlow go out of her way to find other thriving hijabi working women like her, she also applied for scholarships for her dance education, winning one that covered an entire year of education. Her story shows people everywhere that determination and perseverance can earn anyone an education, media coverage, and millions of people in admirance. Kurlow even faced public backlash from her community, yet she pushed past it and made headlines. Not only is she an inspiration for young muslim girls, but to everyone in the world who faces set backs and hardships. The world needs more people like her.
This article was particularly significant for me, as a young middle-eastern woman in an artistic field. Though I fortunately haven't experienced racial discrimination in my artistic discipline, it really affects me when I see other women like me experiencing this discrimination. It makes me extremely proud of Stephanie Kurlow to see her pioneering a path for other Muslim girls in artistic fields and inspiring them to push through despite any differences. Her story reminded me to that of Rayka Zehtabchi, the first Iranian-American woman to win an Oscar back in February, who in her acceptance speech, stated “You are strong and you are beautiful and you can do anything if you put your mind to it". These two creative and ground-breaking women have inspired me to celebrate my culture in my art form. Kurlow explained that she hadn't seen representation of women dancers that looked like her and had her background, and I think it is unbelievably important and exceptional that she is now filling that role for the women in younger generations.
Yes Hijabi Ballerina! I grew up in a really conservative religion, that didn’t view theatre as a ‘good’ thing and it was frowned upon to be a theatre person, the most conservative people in the congregation wouldn’t even go to a cinema to watch a Christian movie. I found myself in a crossroads between following my passion or following my faith, because I couldn’t find a wedge in which I could have both. I gave up theatre for years, I went to nursing school, but neglecting my artistic side was harmful for my mental health, and well… I’m now in the school of drama, we can see I made a choice. I am so glad and happy this young girl is able to nourish her artistic side without letting go of her beliefs. Now she can be the representation the industry has been missing, and although it might be really hard, she can be an example for other little Muslim girls looking up after her.
4 comments:
It is so important for young girls, everyone honestly, everywhere to have representation in popular media. For young girls that consider to not wear a hijab because ‘nobody cool wears them,’ Kurlow is a catalyst for change. Kurlow’s choices to wear a hijab while dancing ballet was not an overnight decision for her; it took years for her to find other role models similar to her. Not only did Kurlow go out of her way to find other thriving hijabi working women like her, she also applied for scholarships for her dance education, winning one that covered an entire year of education. Her story shows people everywhere that determination and perseverance can earn anyone an education, media coverage, and millions of people in admirance. Kurlow even faced public backlash from her community, yet she pushed past it and made headlines. Not only is she an inspiration for young muslim girls, but to everyone in the world who faces set backs and hardships. The world needs more people like her.
i’m sorry I don’t know how to make my name show up. the previous comment was made by Bianca Sforza
This article was particularly significant for me, as a young middle-eastern woman in an artistic field. Though I fortunately haven't experienced racial discrimination in my artistic discipline, it really affects me when I see other women like me experiencing this discrimination. It makes me extremely proud of Stephanie Kurlow to see her pioneering a path for other Muslim girls in artistic fields and inspiring them to push through despite any differences. Her story reminded me to that of Rayka Zehtabchi, the first Iranian-American woman to win an Oscar back in February, who in her acceptance speech, stated “You are strong and you are beautiful and you can do anything if you put your mind to it". These two creative and ground-breaking women have inspired me to celebrate my culture in my art form. Kurlow explained that she hadn't seen representation of women dancers that looked like her and had her background, and I think it is unbelievably important and exceptional that she is now filling that role for the women in younger generations.
Yes Hijabi Ballerina! I grew up in a really conservative religion, that didn’t view theatre as a ‘good’ thing and it was frowned upon to be a theatre person, the most conservative people in the congregation wouldn’t even go to a cinema to watch a Christian movie. I found myself in a crossroads between following my passion or following my faith, because I couldn’t find a wedge in which I could have both. I gave up theatre for years, I went to nursing school, but neglecting my artistic side was harmful for my mental health, and well… I’m now in the school of drama, we can see I made a choice. I am so glad and happy this young girl is able to nourish her artistic side without letting go of her beliefs. Now she can be the representation the industry has been missing, and although it might be really hard, she can be an example for other little Muslim girls looking up after her.
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