Ariana DeBose: ‘Black History Month Is a Celebration of Diversity, Multi-Dimensionality and Infinite Possibility’
variety.comAriana DeBose I’ve always had difficulty understanding where I fit in Black History Month. What do I represent? What communities do I belong to?
And are they reflected in the narrative of the celebration? I think about the many unsung Black women who’ve paved the way throughout history, like Pauli Murray who spoke up for civil rights and the rights of Black queer women specifically.
The truth is that only recently have Black women been given the space to be seen, heard and valued, which is why it’s now more important than ever to celebrate the fullness of what it means to be a Black woman.A huge part of my struggle to own and reconcile my identity as a Black woman stemmed from how I saw myself through theater, TV, and movies.
I grew up in a predominantly white household where I consumed all the classic films of my generation: Disney animated movies like “Beauty and the Beast” and “The Little Mermaid,” Nancy Meyers and Nora Ephron rom-coms, and, of course, “Harry Potter.” Of all the things that I watched, the clearest and most diverse representation came from animated films.
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