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When discussing the pioneers of Black Hollywood, names like Dorothy Dandridge and Lena Horne usually come to thoughts. However earlier than them, there was Fredi Washington. As we have a good time Black Historical past Month, we wished to highlight the gifted actress, activist, and author whose contributions to leisure and civil rights stay largely neglected.
One lady’s TikTok reminded us of how a lot Washington’s contributions went neglected. Take a look at the TikTok to be taught extra about her journey.
Learn extra concerning the trailblazer’s story beneath:
A Star Forward of Her Time
Born in 1903 in Savannah, Georgia, Washington was a strikingly lovely, light-skinned Black lady whose expertise shined on display screen. Her most well-known position got here within the 1934 movie Imitation of Life, the place she performed Peola, a younger lady who chooses to go as white to flee racial discrimination. Her emotionally charged efficiency captivated audiences and showcased her unbelievable vary, but it surely additionally got here at a value—many Hollywood executives noticed her racial identification as an issue.
Throughout an period when roles for Black actors had been restricted to maids and servants, Washington’s refusal to go as white off-screen price her main roles in main productions. Whereas many assumed she may have had a extra profitable profession by passing, she proudly embraced her Black identification. She as soon as mentioned, “Nobody in Hollywood gave me an opportunity to behave as a result of I used to be too gentle. They didn’t know what to do with me.”
Extra Than an Actress
Relatively than conforming to Hollywood’s racist requirements, Washington grew to become an outspoken advocate for Black illustration within the arts. She was a founding member of the Negro Actors Guild of America, a corporation that fought for honest therapy and higher alternatives for Black performers. She additionally labored as a journalist and editor, utilizing her voice to focus on racial injustice and uplift Black artists.
Legacy and Influence
Although Hollywood could not have given her the popularity she deserved, Washington’s affect is simple. She helped pave the way in which for future generations of Black actors by refusing to cover her identification and difficult the business’s colorism. Right now, as conversations about illustration and inclusivity in Hollywood proceed, Washington’s legacy serves as a robust reminder of the struggles and triumphs of early Black artists.
Fredi Washington could not have obtained the mainstream fame she deserved, however her impression on Black cinema and civil rights is simple. This Black Historical past Month, we honor her bravery, expertise, and dedication to breaking boundaries in an business that attempted to silence her.
SEE ALSO:
Pentagon Halts Observing MLK Day, Black Historical past Month
Black Historical past Highlight: Meet Fredi Washington The Trailblazing Actress Hollywood Neglected
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