#hattie mcdaniel
since my writing post was received pretty well, i though i’d make other, to give some insight on the racism in the film industry and why it’s still a big problem now as it was in the past.
Post link
The Oscar awards’ first black winner: Beautiful portrait photos of Hattie Mcdaniel in the 1930s and ‘40s.
Post link
why hattie mcdaniel is important
hattie mcdaniel was a black singer, actress, and radio performer. she was the first black actor/actress to win or be nominated for an academy award. but let’s get a little bit of background.
hattie mcdaniel was the daughter of a freed slave and became a singer at a young age. after her singing career fizzled out, she became a maid until she found work playing “hi-hat hattie” on a radio show. she gained recognition and began to work in film, typically playing the role of a maid. after fierce competition, the role of the maid, “mammy”, in Gone With The Wind (1939) was hers.
hattie won the oscar for best supporting actress in 1940. the hotel that the ceremony was held at had a strict no blacks policy, but she was allowed in as a favor and given a seat in the back. no other black person had won an academy award before her.
hattie mcdaniel caught a lot of flack for playing maid characters and once said, “why should i complain about making 700 dollars a week playing a maid? if i didn’t, i’d be making 7 dollars a week being one.”
hattie mcdaniel blazed a trail for black actors and actresses and pressed on to rise to success in an era where she was often unwelcome and treated poorly.
