Monday, December 13, 2010

"The Nutcracker" ballerina criticized for weight

Unbelievable. Having just watched "The Nutcracker" in Annapolis this weekend, I found recent press around Jennifer Ringer (of the New York City Ballet) and her weight by the Times to be particularly upsetting.

There are certainly similarities between dance and pageantry. Our bodies are part of the art, a portion of the competition...which opens the gates of criticism. But when someone has already brought her struggles with anorexia to light, is it really necessary to comment on her weight?

It's sad that a Christmas tradition has been spoiled by this insensitivity-- but let's use this as a jumping off point for increased dialogue and continued support for not only this ballerina, but all women who have been hurt by social pressures.

http://www.aolnews.com/nation/article/sugar-plum-fairy-ballerina-jenifer-ringer-shrugs-off-weighty-criticism/19758195?icid=maing%7Cmain5%7C1%7Clink2%7C30882