Back in the day Black women were involved in television shows or movies to play the role of the maid or the "mammy". By playing these roles they were given a sense of independence by making there own income. It gave them a sense of independence. In my opinion, this was a huge step for women in the black community to step outside of their comfort zones.
Hazel Scott was a woman who voiced her self worth, she would tell producers in order for her to be in there him she would need to be herself. She would not be put in rugged clothing and be hit by white superiors. Scott in fact would make sure that in her written contract it stated that she has control of what she wore and what she sang.
Scott was also extremely talented in music as well as her acting. By the time she was thirteen she was performing professionally throughout New York City. After graduating high school, she began to sing at New York City's top night club. Interesting enough Billy Holiday three weeks before had stopped singing there and vouched that she be the one to take her place. People saw Scott for more than just her skin color, she was talented and never held back. People knew her name.
Fast forward to the year 2022, and some of the biggest hits in music are black, such as Cardi B, Mariah Carey, Beyonce who are some of the most successful black women in music today. They are famous because of there talent and there skin color doesn't play a role in there success. In the modern days today it doesn't matter if you are black or white. In Hazel Scotts day, she was judged and criticized throughout her whole career for her skin color. She did not let this affect her, she continued to sing and act and hold herself to her values. Hazel was one who understood her worth and was a main factor in her success.
Overall, Hazel Scott was such an influential woman especially to young African-American girls. She showed society that you can do what you want no matter the color of your skin. Hazel Scott proved to everyone that even though she was black, she was incredibly talented. Showing that skin color doesn't define you and at this point in time, someone needed to prove it.
https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/hazel-scott
https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/instruments/piano/hazel-scott-jazz-entertainer-fought-racial-segregation/
No comments:
Post a Comment