canbelto

The original lyrics to "This Land is Your Land": This land is your land, and this land is my landFrom the California to the Staten New York Island,From the Redwood Forest, to the Gulf stream waters,God blessed America for me.[This land was made for you and me.]As I went walking that ribbon of highwayAnd saw above me that endless skyway,And saw below me the golden valley, I said:God blessed America for me.[This land was made for you and me.]I roamed and rambled and followed my footstepsTo the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts,And all around me, a voice was sounding:God blessed America for me.[This land was made for you and me.]Was a high wall there that tried to stop meA sign was painted said: Private Property,But on the back side it didn't say nothing —God blessed America for me.[This land was made for you and me.]When the sun come shining, then I was strollingIn wheat fields waving and dust clouds rolling;The voice was chanting as the fog was lifting:God blessed America for me.[This land was made for you and me.]One bright sunny morning in the shadow of the steepleBy the Relief Office I saw my people —As they stood hungry, I stood there wondering ifGod blessed America for me.[This land was made for you and me.]

I don't think it is. At least I know that die-hard conservatives who hate that song.

I also loved this:

I also really enjoyed the Broadway stars singing "Seasons of Love." I thought JLo's rendition of "This Land is Your Land" didn't hold a candle to this version though:

Many good performances throughout the ceremony and the virtual concert tonight Lady Gaga's rendition of Star Spangled Banner has to stand out. One of the best renditions I've ever heard of this difficult song.

Here is a video of Roman Mejia:

Maybe not all Black Americans share transphobic views. Just a thought.

He's incredible. Maybe I've told this story before but when I saw him at the SAB workshop I said "He's going to be the best Candy Cane." Sure enough maybe 2 years later I saw him tearing it up as Candy Cane.

Anyway because I feel like I've been watching him dance for quite some time I was surprised to find out he just turned 20 and was only 16 when he joined the company.

You didn't move the right post. You moved my first post, but the D magazine article post is still in the thread.

Here is an article that goes in depth into some of Paul Mejia's life AFTER Suzanne: https://www.dmagazine.com/publications/d-magazine/1998/october/culture-beauties-and-the-beast/

Plus Roman is an exciting dancer in his own right, and he has his own career to talk about. I think they made the right decision to sidestep this particular episode of NYCB ballet history. There's tons of books and articles on the subject already.

In fairness Mejia might not know that much about it or be comfortable talking about it. He's the child of Mejia's second marriage and that might cause a complicated family situation if he were to start talking about his dad and Suzanne.

More footage:

An interview with Roman Mejia:

Another tidbit: Amy Klobuchar (D) and John Cornyn (R) included $15 billion to fund theaters and arts groups through the pandemic. https://variety.com/2020/music/news/senator-amy-klobuchar-15-billion-save-our-stages-act-stimulus-1234867911/

Here's also a more modern performance of 4T's at NYCB:

As a reference, here is the final ending Balanchine chose: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfBAuacklfA

But you would rather they silence their voices to fit what you think a racial identity should be. I'm sorry, but "just shut up about it" is precisely the mentality that has led to it being 2021 and the U.S. still so divided on what should be basic human rights afforded to all citizens. Ashton Edwards shouldn't have to shut up about anything.

You're saying because of his race he should silence a big part of his own identity as a gender fluid dancer. I'm sorry, but that sounds like trying to erase his identity because of what you believe HIS motivations should be. Perhaps he identifies more strongly as a queer, gender-fluid dancer than a black person. Maybe he doesn't see the wrong in trying to identify as both. You can be one and the other at the same time. Being a strong representative of your race does not, in fact, necessitate any canceling of your sexual identity. I'm disturbed you seem to think it does.

Trans is not simply getting the operation. Gender fluidity is part of the trans movement.

The original ending looks more sinister. The circle and the waves and the woman being bounced up and down looks almost like human sacrifice.

Being gender fluid is not a choice nor is it a publicity stunt. Implying so is feeding into transphobic talking points.

Kurt Froman has put out an archival video of 4T's with Tanny as Choleric. Wow the original ending was so very different from the final ending! What does everyone think? https://www.instagram.com/p/CJyuauyg6cJ/

I unsubscribed from his channel today due to an extremely distasteful political post of his.