How did you first come across Artist Universe and their brand of Tagless Tights?
Mariah: I tried them on for Mrs. Anekia at the dance studio.
What conversation do you feel needs to be had more in dance studios across the country and world?
Mariah- I feel that dance should be more welcoming to people who are different. I think that the dancers see each other but they don’t have the voice all the time to say we want brown tights , or I’m built different than what is shown on tv. I wish the people who would make things for dancers would look at everyone not just the ideal dancer, because dance is a reflection of everyone not just one type of person.
How did Tagless Tights make you feel?
Mariah- I was shocked! I had to make sure that they were real. I have never seen brown tights.
What kind of hope do you see for the future for dancers of color?
Mariah- I see dancers of color being just like everyone else in the dance world. I would love to see dancers of color being accepted in whatever shape, color and size they come in.
What does the Tagless Tights message, "Knitted Strong. Wonderfully Made. Just like you!" mean to you?
Mariah: I’m beautiful and stronger in the skin that God gave me. I don’t have to change a thing.
]]>How did you first come across Artist Universe and their brand of Tagless Tights?
I tried on Tagless Tights from Mrs. Anekia at our dance studio.
What conversation do you feel needs to be had more in dance studios across the country and world?
Dance is so personal and it is so different that it should reflect the uniqueness of the dancers. I feel that dance is so diverse in person but in order to succeed you have to conform to tradition which is not welcoming. I don’t look like everyone and there is beauty in that.
How did Tagless Tights make you feel?
I wanted to cry. I was overwhelmed with emotion. I felt like I was dancing in my truest form .
What kind of hope do you see for the future for dancers of color?
I see dancers of color being able to tell their story without limitations. In a perfect world dancers of color would be able to use what makes them different as a source of strength not a weakness.
What does the Tagless Tights message, "Knitted Strong. Wonderfully Made. Just like you!" mean to you?
Different is beautiful and together we are stronger.
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I came across Artist Universe and tagless tights through Rebecca Padgett School of Performing Arts, where my children dance.
I think the world we now live in looks different than it did 50 years ago. Dance is such a powerful form of expression and reflection and it should be a place of welcoming and inclusion. I think times have changed and that the conversations in dance should change to reflect that.
WOW ! My first feelings were pretty overwhelming. I couldn’t believe it , I had never seen brown tights, true brown tights in person ever. I felt like the tights were so much bigger than just brown colored tights. It was a physical representation that someone sees brown dancers. Truly my heart was overwhelmed with emotion.
I see so much hope and opportunity in the future for dancers of color. I see a chance to tell their stories and share a different lense with the world through dance.
There is strength in the beauty of Unity. Together we can accomplish anything!
]]>How did you first come across Artist Universe and their brand of Tagless Tights?
I came across Tagless Tights by having a conversation with another studio owner about how much of a challenge it is to find tights and dance supplies for black and brown dancers. That one conversation led to an introduction to Artist Universe and Tagless Tights.
Tradition doesn't always equal truth. When owners and dancers speak about dance the conversation often shifts to tradition. However tradition does not represent the amazing diversity found in dance. Its a conversation that many don’t realize they need to have, that dance blossoms because of innovation. Innovative thinking is the source our real truth. Dance is for everyone and everyone deserves the opportunity to dance.
How did Tagless Tights make you feel?
Hopeful! It is beacon that let everyone knows that there is acceptance in dance and dancers will no longer be made to feel excluded at the bar.
One day they will be recognized by the beauty of their creativity and not the color of their skin.
As the human race we are stronger together, and as dance family we accomplish more side by side.
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