In the spring, I had this wild idea to make a solo dance video, including the elements of spoken word, model walking, and a bit of voguing. As usual, the creative budget was zero dollars. LOL. But, I believed that a fat girl dancing. A Muslim girl dancing in the streets of Detroit would make for a powerful statement, a conversation on what an American Muslim looks like? What a modern-day fat girl looks like? An overly educated black girl? I knew that if I decided to do it, that I might get backlash from the opposing side, too.
"Why is that Muslim girl dancing?!? She shouldn't be doing that. It's not Islamic!"
"She's so fat, why is she embarrassing herself?"
I put all that aside (cuz I'm grown) and danced my heart out, on and off, for about an hour in almost 90 degree weather to get these shots with my awesome and supportive team.
For me, dancing is about expression. It's about self-awareness. It's about letting go.
This video is an unveiling. Shedding the old skins of my past and just living in my truths. Living in the NOW.
It's scary. Raw. Cinematic. Bad-ass. Feminist af.
Yeah, I'm fat, Black, and very Muslim.
Do I make you uncomfortable?
Dancer: @Lvernon2000
Videography: @ReelCleverFilms
MUA: @Makeup_by_Madinah
Music: Comer Dorris
Location: Detroit, MI