In this outtake from “American Masters: How It Feels To Be Free,” actress Halle Berry talks about the television show that “rearranged her” and made her realize that she “had value,” demonstrating the importance of having role models in media.
Biographical Timelines
Written Features
How It Feels To Be Free filmmakers’ statement
5 ways Lena Horne revolutionized the entertainment industry
A professional song selector shares 15 songs of Black women’s empowerment and freedom
Black entertainers are still longing for equity in entertainment
How Nina Simone reinvented herself after a rejection from classical music conservatory
The image makers are always consequential
The story behind Nina Simone’s protest song, “Mississippi Goddam”
Video Features
Clip | Alicia Keys doesn’t mind being compared to Lena Horne
Clip | Book excerpt from “How It Feels to Be Free: Black Women Entertainers and the Civil Rights Movement”
Clip | Diahann Carroll talks race and makeup while filming “Julia”
Clip | Halle Berry on how seeing Diahann Carroll on TV changed her
Clip | Lena Waithe on mixed feelings towards Blaxploitation
Clip | Lena Waithe on why Cicely Tyson’s hair is revolutionary
Clip | Why Cicely Tyson was selective about her acting roles
TRANSCRIPT
- Growing up, I really struggled to find images of Black women, or women that I could identify with.
Early on, I remember seeing Lena Horne in 'Stormy Weather,' I remember seeing Dorothy Dandridge in 'Carmen Jones,' and then a little after that, I remember seeing Diahann Carroll in 'Julia,' and that just rearranged me.
Seeing Diahann Carroll being the star of a show and playing a mother who was a nurse, who was educated, who was beautiful, just rearranged me, and it made me realize that I had value and that I could turn to every week, a woman that looked like who I would aspire to be when I grew up.
And it was very, very important, especially because my mother was white, so I was a Black child being raised by a white woman.
So I didn't have those images in my household.
So finding them on television and through movies became very, very crucial for me.
Many times actors or artists get poo-pooed because they dare to have an opinion, as if we shouldn't have one, just because we're artists.
We're still citizens, we're still human beings, we still live in this country, and I think we are entitled to have our opinion.
And so I applaud those that do use their forum and speak out, for sure.
Now, I can say what I wanna say in my own voice when I wanna say it, and where I wanna say it, any time of the day that I wanna say it.
And there's power in that.
And that has allowed us, I think, made us feel more free to have these conversations, because we can have our authentic voice.
We don't have to worry about being misquoted, or we don't have to worry about being misunderstood.
If we're misunderstood, we're misunderstood on our own merits.
If we've sent a confusing message to the world, then we'll be misunderstood.
If we've been clear and concise, and we have a point of view, then that is also allowed to be conveyed today.
And I think, when used properly, it's a really powerful tool.
And I'm lucky, I'm grateful, I mean, that we have it.