From war orphan to star ballerina TAKING FLIGHT Michaela Deprince From war orphan to star ballerina

Author, Michaela Deprince, tells of her inspiring and struggling life story. From a war orphan in Sierra Leone; through finding her love and passion with the art of ballet. Deprince’s story is filled with triumph and failure, dealing with racist prejudice within the world of dance and her new family’s everyday life. Michaela Deprince sets out against the big bad world with no fear and an abundance of courage, determined to defy all the odds and do what she loves. “It was hope that made me dare to dream, and it was hope that helped that dream take flight.” (243)

DEVIL CHILD “Who will want to marry a girl that looks like the beast of the jungle?”

Born in war-torn Sierra Leone, Africa, Michaela Deprince lost both her parents to disease and murder before the age of 3. No longer under the protection of her parents, she was tossed around to other extended family members that were not as caring as her parents. After much abuse from her uncle’s family Deprince was finally put in an orphanage; with new hopes of adoption and a better life. However, this spark of hope would soon be diminished. With a rare skin disease called “vitiligo”. Causing portions of her skin to lose pigment, poor little Michaela looked nothing like the girls and boys her age. Retrieving the nickname “devil child”, the mental and physical abuse would be nowhere near done once in the orphanage. Convinced she would never be adopted, scared of the abusive adults in charge of her and missing her murdered parents; Michaela Deprince’s future was not looking bright. “”Hush, hush,” the girl beside me Whispered. “If you awaken Auntie Fatmata with your crying tonight, she Will beat you with her willow switch” (27) (Michaela Deprince is the name she got once moved to the United States, back in Africa she was called Mabinity Bangura)

vitiligo Chronic skin disease Portions of skin loses pigment Less than 1% chance of inheriting it Causes unknown

After years of abuse, fear, disease, death and violence, Michaela Deprince would finally be adopted by Elaine Deprince along with her closest friend at the orphanage, Mabinity Suma. “The woman smiled at us. She came up to us and patted our backs. ”I’m your new mama”, she said to both of us. “you’re going to be sisters.”

“I won the Hope Award in Philadelphia that year “I won the Hope Award in Philadelphia that year. It was the top honor for dancers in my age division. “ (169) Once Michaela and Mabinity were adopted, they were quickly enrolled in ballet classes by the age of 5. Michaela was immediately in love with the sport. Excelling faster than her sister and most of her classmates, Michaela had a natural talent for the art of ballet. However, despite her gift she faced years and years of racial prejudice and reject because of the color of her skin and her skin disease. Deprince soon started to notice the lack of African American dancers in the ballet world, and started to worry if the color and pigment of her skin would be the only thing standing between her lifelong dream and passion. “”we don’t like to waste a lot of time, money, and effort on the black girls. When they reach puberty, they develop big thighs and behinds and can’t dance ballet anymore.” I overheard the remark, but I wasn’t supposed to be outside the door listening in.” (124)

Despite the countless hardships Michaela Deprince faced throughout her life, she still pushed on. Never giving up, and the effort and courage finally paid off… Victory would finally come for Michaela, touring with the Nutcracker at age 13, receiving a full ride scholarship to The American Ballet Theatre’s summer intensive training program at age 14, and starring in The ballet film “First Position” in 2009. Dancing with many prestigous ballet companies since, like the Joburg Ballet in South Africa and Dance Theatre of Harlem Main Company. Now Michaela Deprince dances with the Dutch National Ballet Main Company.

Michaela Deprince is an inspiration for young girls, white or black, dancer or soccer player, young or old. Her determination and strive for a dream so passionate is truly inspiring; her book “Taking Flight” is a read you don’t want to miss.

Deprince, Michaela. "Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina by Michaela DePrince and Elaine DePrince." Randomhouse.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Mar. 2015.