This company begain with a diverse group of people in 2001, and we continue to believe that all black lives matter. Our country has a long and continuing history of marginalizing people groups. We have always used dance as a peaceful form of artistic activism, often addressing social inequities. Inclusion is evident in the content in much of the company’s repertory, how we conduct our education programming, who has access to our beautiful, light-filled studios, and the diversity of our Board of Trustees. We’ve long believed talent is everywhere, but access to developing that talent is not. We continue in our determination to do something about it via our creating, performing, and educating. That’s why the company is called Inlet—we strive to be a place of entry where anyone can learn, create, and perform, and why we collaboratively build every piece of choreography in the company’s repertory. We are involved in “using dance to further lives.” All lives. Throughout Inlet’s history, we’ve been known for leaning into social justice issues and creating work that speaks to what could be rather than what is. Hope and beauty continue to be critically important.
Because we know that we have much to learn regarding racial equity, understanding poverty, and dismantling white privilege/supremacy, we began engaging in racial equity training from expert diversity consultants and other resources many years ago. That work showed us that we’ve made unintended mistakes. We are aware that we will make more mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes. Mistakes and blind spots, once revealed, can feel humiliating and result in deep apologies and remorse. But we remain committed to continuing to provide Inlet’s artistic and administrative staff and our Board with this much-needed professional development. Things must continue to change in this country, and we continue to participate.
Part of valuing our dancers and audiences is not allowing injustice to go unchecked. When those with authority, power, and influence misuse that power against those who don’t have it, it must be addressed and rectified. Atrocities against black people and other people groups by white hands (not just the police) have been going on for over 400 years in this country, and it is inexcusable and unacceptable.
At Inlet Dance Theatre, we stand against hate, systems of oppression, and violence. We stand against racism, sexism, antisemitism, classism, ableism, homophobia, xenophobia—all of the evil “isms,” the oppressions that show various levels of brutality against “others” in our and other communities. We remain committed to “using dance to further people.” We continue to upgrade our capacities and abilities to serve our whole community because we know that if one part suffers, every part suffers; if one part is honored, every part rejoices.
We look forward to rejoicing.
Respectfully,
Bill Wade
Founder & Executive/Artistic Director
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