Recently, I was thinking about skin color and how cultures everywhere still treat people differently because of it. When I was living in Taipei, Taiwan, women shrunk from the sun in fear of turning too dark and being seen as “low class.” Many girls get “double eyelid surgery” to have full eyes like Westerners. I always thought to myself “when are people going to stop basing standards of beauty on European features?”
Now, I know you’re wondering what I’m getting at… Well I started thinking about the entertainment industry and black actresses. When you ask someone who the best black actress is today, who do they list? Maybe Halle Berry, Angela Bassett or Thandie Newton. But what about Alfre Woodard? I looked at her body of work recently—which is mostly TV work and small roles in films (with the exception of The Family That Preys) and I tried to figure out why she isn’t as popular. She may not be as hot as Halle but she is ten times for talented, and yet doesn’t receive the same opportunities. And I can think of plenty of white actresses—okay I’ll say it—who look like MEN, but continue to get plenty of work (Tilda Swinson, Jodie Foster, Cate Blanchett). There’s definitely something amiss and it isn’t about sex appeal.
Halle Berry, in my opinion, really isn’t that great of an actress, but she’s got Anglo-Saxon features and doesn’t mind getting naked. Alfre Woodard, on the other hand, has darker skin, African features, and wants roles that truly reflect her acting ability. Need an example? Check out Follow Me Home, a 1997 political independent film about racism in America through the lens of Mexicans, African Americans and Native Americans. Never heard of it? That’s because no major studio was willing to distribute it. When Alfre was tapped by the first time director to play Every, the lead, Woodard believed in the message so much that she did it for free. In the end, it was an award-winning film; plus Alfre was able to keep her clothes on. Take that Halle!
Here, a clip of Alfre reading Sojourner Truth “Ain’t I A Woman”
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October 11th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
Mrs. Woodard may not have an Oscar but she has plenty more awards. She has won Emmys and Golden Globes before. She is one of those actresses that is on a level like Cisley Tyson to me.
October 14th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
Sachab – thanks for your comment, and you are right she is on Tyson’s level. I’m glad you like her too!
October 20th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
I love that you posted this blog. My friend and I went to go see Tyler Perry’s The Family That Preys, and we were discussing how it’s a shame that Mrs. Woodard isn’t given the recognition that she deserves. Granted I don’t think that she’s personally too bothered by it, for she seems to pick more roles based on quality. However, as one of her many fans, I would still like to see her respected for her craft. Thank you Nubia!
October 28th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
K4obama,
I’m glad you liked her recent movie! And you are right, I think she accepts her career for what it is and is probably fairly satisfied, but she does deserve more recognition. Thanks for stopping by!
February 5th, 2009 at 6:01 pm
Mrs. Woodard does rock! I’m glad you are bringing a little more attention to her with this post.
I’ve been to Taipei a couple of times and understand how European features (the skin colour and eyelids you mentioned) are desired there. It’s sad that appreciating how we look as we are (how we were born) isn’t more prevalent. But I would like to note that in Brasil, another image of beauty exists. Often, someone with “mixed blood” is considered more pretty. With darker skin, and lighter eyes. Obviously, that is a little different than your Taiwan example, of course, because the Brasil example is of someone born with a certain look, while the Asian example shows a alteration in looks. But either way, saying one look is more beautiful than another, can be sad for those that don’t fit into the ideal.
So, basically, images of “beauty” differ throughout the world. But it would be cool for beauty to be more so considered how someone holds themself, and based on their skills, kindness, and way of treating others and the Earth.
March 4th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
your totally right. its a shame the way society shapes people even years later. I dont know whats going to happen in the future but I hope my kids dont ever have the face some of the racist and less paid jobs or anything like that because of there skin color.
September 24th, 2009 at 3:22 am
But isn’t that also about msyoginist Hollywood? Take your clothes off, kiss the behinds of producers and the gate keepers and you’re in. Halle’s mother is white and she grew up in a white household absent a father.She never struck me as a self-confident assertive woman. It’s more important to have the right attitude and self-confidence.
Alfre strikes me as the kind of woman who takes no guff from anyone and is comfortable with who she is. And time and time again, we women are punished for that in myriad ways. So, looks and lack of backbone says more about less talented women getting ahead. For my money, I’ll take Alfre any day with her sticktoitiveness and in doing meaningful projects she believes in, albeit less of them than others.
September 26th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
hello ladies,
all great comments. thanks for sharing. Diane, you are correct, Hollywood is very misogynist and it probably always will be. I hope that great actresses like Alfre will continue to emerge and uphold a sense of dignity and talent in the acting world.