Next month will be Black History Month (BHM). This is my topic for today.
As well, because this year’s Oscar winners will be announced mid-February, right in the middle of BHM, I am also going to relay a story about the first Black woman to win an Oscar.
Known in the US as African-American History Month, February’s Black History Month was begun in 1926 thanks to the efforts of historian Carter G. Woodson, and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. Originally known as Negro History Week, the second week of February was chosen back then to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. Both of their birthdates (12th and 14th) had been celebrated for many decades already by the Black community. BHM is now also recognized Canada, the UK and Ireland (the latter two celebrate in October).
BHM is a time to remember important people and occasions in the African diaspora, via events and festivities; also to recognize the community in general. For example, last February in Canada, the BHM theme was “Ours to tell.” It was for learning more about stories Black people have, to tell everyone about their histories, sacrifices and successes. It was an opportunity for open dialogue.
Much has improved for the Black community in the last century; however, there is still a long way to go. Sadly, racism and supremacists still flourish and we continue to hear news accounts of yet another young Black person mowed down by police officers and haters: oftentimes the victims were sleeping in their beds or cars, or jogging along a country road. Personally, I’m not sure we’ll ever be completely free of such discrimination and violence, but those responsible absolutely must be held to account.
First Black Oscar Winner: Hattie McDaniel
Hattie McDaniel played head slave Mammy in the 1939 Civil War epic Gone With the Wind and yet, because she was Black, she was not allowed to attend the premiere of the film. Clark Gable, who had become a close friend, intended to boycott the premiere because of this. However, McDaniel convinced him not to do so. (The two got along extremely well, as evidenced by their on-set antics. Gable once pranked McDaniel by swapping her tea with brandy.)
In 1940, she had to accept her best supporting actress trophy in a segregated hotel. Producer David O. Selznick called for a special favour to have McDaniel allowed into the no-blacks Ambassador Hotel, which hosted the 12th Academy Awards; however, she was forced to sit at separate table near the wall, away from her white co-stars. During her emotional speech, McDaniel indicated that she hoped her prize would have a lasting impact. “I shall always hold it as a beacon for anything I may be able to do in the future. I sincerely hope I shall always be a credit to my race and to the motion picture industry,” she said.
Hattie McDaniel (1893-1952) was the daughter of two former slaves. She was the 29th inductee in the Black Heritage Series by the United States Postal Service. Her 39-cent stamp was released on January 29, 2006, featuring a photograph of McDaniel in the dress she wore to accept her Oscar in 1940. McDaniel was a successful singer as well as actor, and has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood: one for radio and the other for motion pictures. In 1975, she was inducted posthumously into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame.
See clip for Hattie McDaniel receiving her Academy Award.