that is completely absurd! she is encouraging girls who look like her to become ballerinas! how is that racist? is opening people's minds, and encouraging them to do something great with their lives racist? i'm white, and i wasn't offended in the least! in fact, i say, "good job, Ms. Copeland! the world needs more inspirational people like you!" and also, don't let the small minded people and the haters get you down! keep doing what you're doing, and with SUCH class!

What people who aren't of color don't realize is that we absolutely have to be. This art form as well as many other fields weren't designed with us in mind. We aren't in the stories and there are still some who make it seem like we are invading their stories if a person of color gets a role that was originally cast for a caucasian actor or actress. We deserve to be represented, and although it can weigh down on everyone. It is a person of colors responsibility to hope that the media representation of us changes. More and more of us have to be seen in a different light. Race exists whether we like it or not. Stereotypes are dismissed by people like Misty, and it's important that more step up so that you don't have to search hard for someone in her position that is her color. Small minded people won't get it, but whether George Lopez gets criticized for it or Tyler Perry does it won't stop us from needing people who are representing more than just themselves.