“I don't want to pass because I can't stand insincerities and shams. I am just as much Negro as any of the others identified with the race.” -Fredi Washington.. Watch Hazel Scott, the bronze goddess of cafe society NEXT ua-cam.com/video/qNE8ecflB-g/v-deo.html
I would like to know, respectfully, what you mean by hated? It does seem she was rejected by black film industries, but hate seems strong . She could be killed or injured brutally if caught passing in films by white american society. However, it seems she would be allowed to live her life in relative peace in black american society. I can fathom in some black films they might have been scared to cast her because perhaps if people think she is white( she looks so at first glance), there might be or cause an issue between industies and or societies. Just a thought, and I would love to know more. Please recommend any books on her and / or this subject 😀 .
I would love a video on the reverse. How it’s been problematic for whites to play roles of people of color. Like Liz Taylor as Cleopatra or Natalie Wood in “West side story”
@appkopps4540; Natalie Wood also played the daughter of a white French woman in France married to a Black GI stationed there in a film also starring Frank Sinatra made in the late 50's which I cannot recall the title having accidently stumbling into it mid-screening. Regarding Cleopatra it is up in the air if she was "Black" having descended down the line in Egypt from Alexander the Great's Greek general Ptolemy whom he made his Satrap (viceroy) over conquered Egypt.
I REALLY DON'T THINK YOU CAN, IN HER TIME THERE WAS NO SUCH THING AS MIXXED RACE.. YOU WERE EITHER BLACK OR YOU OR NOT. REMEMBER THESE ARE PEOPLE COMING UP FROM SLAVERY AND MIXED VIA RAPE AND NOT BY CHOICE.
You could never fully understand that today. Stop it. She was truly dealing with racism during Jim Crow. She chose to support Black community because she is Black. Not mixed instead of supporting her oppressors.
My daughter is mixed and looks like Billy but is proud to say the most inspirational, beautiful woman she knows is me “ her black mother” she doesn’t know much people though lol!
Media tried to do the same thing to Mariah Carey. She was labeled as "a White woman who can sing like a Black woman". However, Mariah stood up for who she was & denounced that label.
I'm knot sure if shh gave details of the journey of Hur Hue; don't have 2 bah et wood be an interesting read since we're in a positive/negative racist world...no fault of ours; it is what it is.
Isn’t Mariah both black and white? She’s bi racial so she’s both. For her to denounce one or the other isn’t she denying who she truly is. Honestly I think biracial people deserve more respect because from my experience both races look down on a biracial child.
@@LKCLifer l think Tiger Woods alleged to have had racial identity issues in the past, l believe, but the golf swinger accepted his mom's race instead.
My son's Great Grandma had green eyes & very Lite but she never denied she was black. She was very beautiful ❤️. She always said the Plantation owner was her daddy.
My great great grandmother could have easily passed. Her situation was because of rape. Our family dynamic would not be what it is today if she did not proudly claim her mother's side.❤
I’m a mulatto girl myself this makes me so sad 😓 glad she stood up for herself though. Never be ashamed of yourself it can be a challenge some days even for myself with feelings of belonging but I’m working on it! ❤️
Peace and greetingz. What we survive help mode us 1way or another. Just continue2b ur best self and all else will find u. Believe the goodness that was born in u. U got it, u can and will overcome all that u were made2and ur beauty may sometimes b debated just remember the best part of beauty is its within that matter the most.
Hey, Karine. I've always loved Fredi and how she affirmed her blackness in spite of being offered fame and fortune. Thank you for this! BTW, have u ever considered doing a video on Sanaa Lathan?I feel she's one of the most underrated true ladies of out time. Be blessed!
Thank you for tuning in Kandon! And yes she is on my list for 2023 🥰 I have just a few more people ahead of her on the list and then I will do a breakdown on her. She’s very underrated ❤
Personally I am not for the one drop rule but it is still often promoted in society and in Fredi's time biracial identity was not a choice.. Black community has for long time been more welcoming to mulatto/mixed people than white people have been.
@@purplelove3666 Thank you for pointing this out. So many biracial people are happy to be black but don't want to pass as white especially the women, they love being the face of blackness all the while, erasing unambiguous BW image in the media, And if we comment on it, were being told that were hatful, and jealous.
@@honeybee19892What a ignorant comment. Bi racial was a choice in her time. The racial integrity act didn't start until 1924 and only lasted 43 years. Fredi was born in 1903. She was listed on at list two census as MULATTO. The black community has not welcomed anything. The only thing the black community has been doing is claiming our wins. The majority of mulattos never wanted to be part of the black community. It was the 1924 racial integrity act which forced us to be part of the black community and forced us to share our advantages with them. Evidently you don't know your own history because mulattos has been documented since the early 1600s in the colonies. That's more than 300 years of firm history. I think you better dive into some books.
@@purplelove3666in my opinion she did it for attention. To be the stand out amongst the black community. She was born in 1903. Atleast two census would have her as MULATTO on it not black.
Thanks for posting this. As a mixed race older man who looks white I have always had a complicated relationship with my race. I always chose to say that I am mixed as opposed to letting folks assume I'm white. And I have always been clear on the privilege I have had in the society in general because of how I look. But it's always somewhat precarious. Some folks (of all races) say it doesn't matter that I'm mixed because people (who don't know me personally) see me as white. Other folks quote the one drop rule and say I'm Black regardless of shade. Just for the record, I'm not taking a poll here about how I should identify, just saying that I relate to the topic and thank you! In more recent years there has been a trend to call folks with my appearance "white-passing". Not a fan as I see "passing" as an action that you take purposefully, one I never wanted to engage in. I just say mixed.
It boils down to that you hate the white side . That is why I would never support having a mix child / children the child will always hate the white side .
My son is a very light skinned black boy. “White presenting” is a less demeaning way to describe his appearance. We jokingly refer to him as an undercover brother lol. My sister is white presenting as well and she says she gets to see a lot of folks true colors when they think there are no black people present 👀
@@nicolewood7957 I have definitely heard/used "undercover brother"! LOL And I have also been able to see a lot of folks "true colors" around race when they presume that they are around only white/non-Black folks.
White presenting and white passing are two different things. One drop rule is noting more than a tool weaponized by blacks to get advantage because it benefits them the most. The 1924 racial integrity act is what made one drop rule law for a measly 43 years (ended in 1967). Mulatto has been on the record books since the early 1600s starting in the original colonies. People's ignorance of US history is ridiculous
Thank you, Karine, for your videos. As an old white man who was (happily) raised in California with no differentiation between races -- my 1st grade teacher was black, and we lived in a mixed neighborhood -- when I became old enough to realize the kind of discrimination that non-white people in my culture had been subjected to, it was shocking and saddening to me, and really difficult to take in. I'm happy that there were a number of non-white entertainers who were able to give us a legacy to enjoy for many decades to come, and I can only hope that things continue to improve until we won't even have to mention race at all when we talk about someone's achievements.
Thanks for your candor. Unfortunately, white attacks on "woke" we are going backward. Look at DiSantistan. 75 million white people agree w him. We are doomed.
Me to, it's really sad, but so long as people teach hate from birth, unlikely, sad but true, if it comes to pass we will be long gone, if it wasn't for hope,faith and prayer, we wouldn't have gotten this far.
@@shyredwall I didn't realize passing apply to being gay just trans. I do think society plays a huge part in people wanted to pass but I also think that it's up to the individual to make that choice to do so. Thanks for your response.
They're just as white as they are black. The one drop thing is just an evil rule set up by racists. That's what evil does, it confuses people and complicates everything.
You’re definitely one of my favorite UA-camrs. I love how classy and relaxing your channel is. I love how positive your videos are with your delivery.🤎
I did watch this film as a child and it did make me teary eyed especially towards the end. I’m so proud of her for being proud of who she is and paving the way for future generations to look back and honour her. Rest in Peace, Rest in Power 💯💯
I was first introduced to Ms. Fredi in the 1960s since my paternal grandmother carried the blue eyed gene herself. I also heard the book, as well as the tragic mulatto myth, was highly controversial at the time especially by black ppl.
Thank you for saying what you did. I'm mexican. My both parents are Mexican. I can pass as white. I get rejected among my own. My heart is brown it's Mexican. It hurts so much to get rejected. This has made me very shy with people in general. I wish people could just see me as a me. Thank you for presenting this beautiful woman's story.
@Starlight you're correct.. I'm over 50 percent Native American and my experience is different. Usually Mexicans are native most people do not understand our history. With that being said that doesn't mean I cannot identify with another humans pain. We need to see stop hear and listen hopefully one day we can just fully love. 🙏
I watched this movie when I was a kid, I had no idea what it was about but I would never forget it. By the end I was in tears, actually crying. It made a huge impression on me.
I never seen this version of "Imitation of life". The one that she's in must be the original. I got to see that. I never heard of her before, but I'm glad I do now.There have been so many amazing black artist in that time, that paved the way for us and they don't even get their flowers. Thank you Karine for making videos like this!
Thank you so much for honoring Fredi Washington with your informative video. I grew up watching old movies and remember grilling my parents about why more actors and actresses of color weren't featured more often in films. It certainly led to some interesting discussions. In the end, they agreed that many talented people deserved more opportunities.
We're standing on the shoulders of our ancestors, embrace your heritage, be proud of who you are, I've the upmost respect for Fredi Washington, for being true to herself.
Karine, Yahuah bless 🙏🏽 you mightily for your commentary on this subject. Something (the bigotry) I've been trying to highlight for years and consistently shot down. Having been aware of Freddie Washington for decades and her struggles in that industry, it's great to see she's getting the recognition she deserves. I recall the story of how the studios used dark makeup on her when she played opposite of Paul Robeson in 'The Emperor Jones,' because they panicked it would appear a yt woman was playing the love interest opposite a Blk man. Or that they completely removed her scenes with him when the movie played in southern states. Thank you!! 💕
I'm so glad you are a deep-diving film and movie industry historian. I would know 0% of this valuable knowledge if you didn't publish. Thank you very much.
What a gorgeous lady. Could you fault her if she wanted to pass as white? So proud of her for standing up for who she was. I am a Polish Jew. I can’t say what it is like to grow up as an American Black or Jewish during WWII but I know what it’s like to be the “butt” of all jokes. I embraced it and can laugh at myself. Fredi was a beautiful human. Although humans always find something to tear people down, I look fwd to the day when race isn’t discussed as a negative.
Thank you so much for this important history. I love your videos they are always so inspirational, informative and leave me feeling a scene of pride in my black history.
This was such a great breakdown! I had never heard of her nor have a seen the original “Imitation of Life.” I’ll need to check it out but I love that she chose not to pass! Too many people did that and are still doing it! I’ve never heard that Marilyn could be Mexican but it would not shock me at all!
I actually have seen the original version of "Imitation Of Life" when I was a teenager and I thought this was a white woman. 🤦 I guess maybe I assumed that she was actually white because in a lot of the Westerns my dad watched white actors would often play Native American characters. I guess I thought they allowed as few people of color on screen as possible back then. I'm not sure where my head was. 🤷😂
@@krazykaye8843 that’s such a good point, rarely we’re people of color actually played by people of color. Look at Angelina Jolie and how she played Mariane Pearl or Emma Stone playing an Asian woman in “Aloha” like, what???
@@appleopps4540 those are some great examples as well and they're not even from the old Hollywood era that I was thinking of, they're from years later! Goes to show how little has actually changed in some regards.
@@krazykaye8843 RIGHT?! Even now Hollywood is STILL pulling this racist/ colorist BS! Another example was Zoe Saldana as Nina Simone. A huge part of Nina Simone's identity was her dark skin. To put Zoe Saldana in black face and focus salaciously only on Nina's flaws- what an absolute insult that movie was! The fact that Marilyn Monroe was Mexican makes so much sense. Explains why she did things like advocate for Ella Fitzgerald. Because she understood (at least to some extent) the racism Ella was up against and she wanted to help Ella get the recognition she deserved. The fact she's Mecican also explains why Cholos love Marilyn so much! ❤
Thanks for this video. I have gone through the same thing as a preforming Artist. I have many of the same stories. So I have decided to do what I do best and that is to do my own thing in which God has given me the many gifts. No man can stop you from singing 😂.
My Nana could pass for white. She would clear up any misconceptions by saying, "On my birth certificate it says Negro!" She went through a lot. I was very confused growing up because she would say racist things about both blacks and whites. It was weird, as if she had a conflicted soul. She used to tell me stories of her drinking from a "white only" fountain in the south as a little girl in the late 1930's. I can't even fathom life back then. You have very fascinating Old Hollywood content. I'm glad I found your channel..
I APPLAUD HER FOR BEING A STRONG BLACK SISTER IN THE STRUGGLE, HOWEVER, i DON'T SEE THE BIG DEAL ON NOT PASSING.. MANY MANY BLACKS COULD HAVE PASSED FOR WHITE AND OVER 80% DIDN'T, INCLUDING MY GRANDPARENTS, THIS WAS NEVER AN OPTION.. BUT STAYED WITH THEIR PEOPLE.. SHE SHOULD BE HONORED BUT NOT RECEIVE A MEDAL FOR NOT PASSING - SHE SHOULD GET A MEDAL FOR BEING AN UPRIGHT BLACK WOMAN AND STANDING FOR CAUSE.
Fredi isn't black she is a Mulatta. Does this women look anything like Angela Bassett, Michelle Obama, Oprah to you? The only people in Africa with black ancestry you will find that look like Fredi are areas with alot of admixture like cape verde, or south Africa (coloureds) or the horn of Africa, or N Africa
@@krazyjnva2up2down55 no, Latino, which is not the same as mixed. Anyone can say they’re mixed if they have any admixture. But being Latino is specific. Latinos started as strictly European, but later on with the widespread miscegenation in the colonies, we’ve come to be seen as a race to ourselves. This is despite the fact that we aren’t all mixed to the same degree, with the same heritages, or even mixed at all. Hence why some people take issue with Latino being seen as a “race”. There are strictly white Latinos, strictly black Latinos, strictly Indigenous Latinos, and then the majority, mixed race Latinos.
Hii Karine than you for educating the life of the beautiful Fredi Washington. Imitation of life I watched twice the first was in black and white the second was in color, my goodness I thought both actress was white. Fredi wasn’t afraid of her blackness. She could easily passed but she refused. So sad she wasn’t accepted by black or white, but she pressed on courageously and made a difference. She was an extremely beautiful woman. Thank you for sharing 💐
Thank you for this video,and the reference to movie "The Imitation of Life"... I can remember watching this movie in the late 60's with my mother and sister on a summer night... At the end of the movie,my sister left the room in tears... After seeing the ending to this movie once again in 2023,I see how It can leave anyone in tears, including a grown man like me at 65... Now,I know how my sister felt back then...Thanx for the memories!
I love this channel i find it fascinating... They're all so charismatic and radically different from one another. If you haven't yet , i'd be so interested to hear your take on Kate Moss and her iconic duo with Naomi ♡
Thank you. I am a mixed race Jewish person. My family has always been mixed and always Jewish. We are Sephardim. Jews from North Africa that ended up in Spain, Italy and Portugal. And that is very common amongst Sephardim to be mixed. My Great Grandfather and Grandfather were Sephardim of Color. My Great First Cousin, was the Chief Rabbi of Boston. There are all kinds of people everywhere. I had heard of Fredi Washington and I am a huge fan of Eubie Blake, Noble Sisle's collaborator. I am from a neighborhood in Boston that was at one time a Black and also Jewish neighborhood. My family was not the only mixed Sephardic family in that neighborhood. I grew up believing and still believe that there is room for everyone on Planet Earth. I am a Professional Actor, Singer, Musician and Writer. The stereotypes and racist behavior still unfortunately continue in The Industry. Shalom. Take Care.
Interestingly, in the 1959 version, two people were passing in one form or another. Susan Kohner, who played? Sarah Jane, was the daughter of a Mexican actress, and a Jewish movie producer (fun fact, she is the mother of the Weitz Brothers, who are very successful filmmakers today). John Gavin, who played Steve Archer, was 100% Latino, but changed his name to get roles in Hollywood. I guess life imitates art sometimes.
Wasn't familiar with Fredi Washinton. So many major Hollywood actresses were mixed race (Asian, African-American, Native American) but it was kept hidden. Ironically, Ava Gardner claimed she was also but it didn't hurt her career. To this day, there are still too many issues around race and skin color. Read that biracial actress Lonette McKee felt her career was hindered by being too fair skinned. And that was fairly recently. Thanks, Karine, for profiling this courageous and talented actress.
Thank you, great content. Growing up with light skin in a dark skinned family... isnt always easy. "You're adopted, they found you in the garbage, don't play with porcelain doll, you think you're better than us because you look white, you can just go be white." And this wasn't even in that time. Proud of her stand❤
I'm light bright. Some have called me white which I find offensive. We can definitely move differently. And get into places. But it's about what you do once in those positions.
She reminds me of my great grandmother. She was light skin with bright blue eyes. She definitely passed as white. When I was little my brother and I thought her and my grandma (green eyes) were white. Lol
There's no such thing as "light skinned". Your great grand mother was a Mulatta/Quadroon . White Passing and Presenting are two different things. The racial integrity act of 1924 is what "one dropped" people like your grand mother into the black community by law. This ONLY LASTED FOR 43 years (ended in 1967). Yet until this very day black people weaponize it to their advantage. Make no mistake Mulatto and black are not the same and neither share the same history. Mulatto has been on the books since 1600s in the oringial colonies in this country. That's more than 300 years of history.
This was awesome! Thank you for such a job well done! I love your channel’s beauty and intellect. Colorism and racism are dumb. To racist people, we’re all the same. We’re not a monolith, but we certainly share important things our parents gave us, and that keeps us close. One of the things I’m most proud of is our brotherhood.
I did a double take when you tried to pronounce Merle’s name. 😂 It’s not Mar lay. Also, we can’t overlook the way whitepassing or light skinned people were treated in their own communities. For some, it forced them out. They were ‘Othered’. Not black enough. Etc.
Imagine you are black man walking with a white looking girl during the height of Jim Crow. Can you imagine how dangerous that would be to the racists? Because all they would see is a n***er trying to rape a white woman.
Omg i literally just thought about this movie today! It is such a wonderful movie! I could not remember what it was called. So interesting to hear the actress’s story.
as a young teen in the 2000s this made me take a look about how art imitates life and also life imitates art. Imitation of life is a wonderful movies I ❤ this version with Fredi Washington as well as the 2nd version both are great the emotions 😢 The second movie is in color with Ruby D in the 60s
She looks white. If she took an ancestry DNA test it would show that she is most like 95 percent Caucasian. I’m not sure how anyone would think she’s black. She should have just embraced both races. Not choosing one over the other. An appreciation for both would be most beneficial.
I bet with your in-depth research on Anna May Wong and you being a gifted storyteller with heart - it going to be fabulous! I will probably be sending your Anna May Wong video to over 200 family and friends. The US mint just put out new quarters in her honor.
It is so frustrating that people still don't understand that Mexican is a nation/ nationally, not ethnicity. There are white Mexicans , Black / Afro Mexicans, and indigenous Mexicans. If Marilyn Monroe had a mother from Mexico, she is still of European heritage. So yes, a white person.
Alot of ppl use nationality to cover race their eg ppl from Dominica say I'm dominicana instead of saying I'm black. It's basically self denial due to social and racial crisis in that country
@Auchie Thomas OK, but we all understand that in the Dominican Republic is multi ethnic mix of people too. Most North and South America is because of colonialism. I'm racially ambiguous. I have to correct people a lot that I'm a USA national as much as any white person. And so are my African American/ Black ancestors. I love my multi ethnic gene pool.
@Auchie Thomas that because race is a man-made concept. We're really are just human. And when it's come to identity your ethnicity is who you truly are; not race.
@@erikadlloyd5586 exactly.....I know 2 afro-Mexican sisters (i'm here in the DC area). Both parents afro-Mexican. And I had a white Mexican chemistry teacher (most of their family were originally from Germany before coming 2 Mexico (vs Spaniard ancestry)).
Especially in today's world, this applies demonstrability. We showed up on this planet in our form and it's up to us to be better people than the circumstances we were born into, who we were born to and our ancestorial past. We can make a difference and we need to work together rather than against each other.
Hey sis 😘. I just got done watching your Joyce Bryant video and man was she a beauty ❤️❤️. I can’t wait to watch this video! I’ve been obsessing over vintage beauties lately and thank you for educating me on these forgotten ladies!
It's why we mixed people fight hard for our black side as well as the other half. I'm Native and black And i feel more black because i look like the "one drop rule",😂 but also feel native because i am and have some native features. I feel pride for both, But in the mits of the full looking ones, i feel like i'm sometimes excluded 😅 even had weird comments thrown at me by my own mixed family who are more on the Native looking side, while me and my youngest brother look mixed/black with the beautiful African hair.
@@purplelove3666 it's not that i feel a color. That's not what i mean. Your twisting my words. It's that i feel drawn towards one side more because i look black. It's the side of me that is obvious, because of my hair, my skin, nose,lips and so where i live people see me as black and treat me as such. I get all the "advantage" and disadvantage that comes with being black 😅. And if your black, you know what disadvantages. I go trough the same hardship and have the same history because it's what i am BLACK. Your probably not pure African either and so they call you black. I was being sarcastic with that "one drop rule" thing. I hate that concept of looking at people like that. I like the uniqueness in us human creatures. That we're all so different and yet the same. I like the differences in culture, but it's also one of the things that create fear and division in some people.
@@dwaynesilva9203 I feel your pain because I am Black and Hispanic (Puerto Rican to be precise) and people try to lump me as one as I favor both sides
I just want say thank you for showing us all the people of color who succeeded in an all white profession! I am white and I, as a little girl, use to cringe when I saw Afro American people playing maids, butler’s and etc… and not getting any recognition. Their recognition was given at their deaths or later even. Thank you so much for caring about everyone! ❤
Joan Crawford( Lucille LeSueur was her real name) born in San Antonio , of Louisiana Creole descent. Look at the early pictures of her . Ava Gardner, Mae West, Carol Channing , Clark Gable and the list goes on.
My Black is Beautiful !!! even though I'm high yella. Growing up I faced all kinds of colorism. Ive never known my white birth mom but my mama was dark skin....bc of her I know who I am. ❤
Thank you, Karine for your wonderful videos. I would love to see a video on Beautiful Dona Drake/ Rita Rio who passed for white to make it in Hollywood. She was a Swing band leader dancer, actress, singer.
Imitation of Life is such a profound movie. My mom made me watch it when I was little and I just recently watched it again. The end of that movie is so heartbreaking. EDIT: I went to Julia Richman High School!!
Karine, I appreciate your narration of Fredi's biography! She was beautiful and stood in her truth! Unfortunately, a lot of people back then, didn't! The cruelty shown to black was essesive. Some people passed to survived racism! Anyone who has roots in this country for over 200 years knows the reason why. You will be shocked at who is passing in the real world today! Like you said; "They will name every other race but black!" My grandmother had blond hair and blue eyes, and no one ever believed that she was black. She looked just like Doris Day; so I know Fredi's story very well! Thank you for posting.
"My grandmother had blonde hair and blue eyes, and no one ever believed that she was black". That's because she is NOT black and if she does have black in her she is a Mulatto /quadroon or octoroon (mixed race). Can you please let me know the metric you are using to identify your grandmother as black? It sure sounds like you are utilizing the racist 1924 racial integrity act aka one drop rule (which only lasted a measly 43 years). Speaking of 200 years, I think you need to tighten up on North American history because Mulatto has been on documents since atleast the 1600s in English, French, and Spanish colonies in current day United States. Your passing comment isn't 100% accurate. In the English colonies there was a loop hole that allowed mulattos born to a white mother to be free whole those who were born to a black mother were born into slavery.
Maybe you should start actually taking some pride in your mulatto roots and stop kissing black people's rear end. It was literally mulattos that led blacks into the future in this country and well before slavery ended.
“I don't want to pass because I can't stand insincerities and shams. I am just as much Negro as any of the others identified with the race.” -Fredi Washington.. Watch Hazel Scott, the bronze goddess of cafe society NEXT ua-cam.com/video/qNE8ecflB-g/v-deo.html
WOW! Can you do Ethel Waters??? _/\_
I would like to know, respectfully, what you mean by hated? It does seem she was rejected by black film industries, but hate seems strong . She could be killed or injured brutally if caught passing in films by white american society. However, it seems she would be allowed to live her life in relative peace in black american society. I can fathom in some black films they might have been scared to cast her because perhaps if people think she is white( she looks so at first glance), there might be or cause an issue between industies and or societies. Just a thought, and I would love to know more. Please recommend any books on her and / or this subject 😀 .
I would love a video on the reverse. How it’s been problematic for whites to play roles of people of color. Like Liz Taylor as Cleopatra or Natalie Wood in “West side story”
At what point will we STOP using derogatory, confederate terms to describe bi racial persons?
@appkopps4540; Natalie Wood also played the daughter of a white French woman in France married to a Black GI stationed there in a film also starring Frank Sinatra made in the late 50's which I cannot recall the title having accidently stumbling into it mid-screening.
Regarding Cleopatra it is up in the air if she was "Black" having descended down the line in Egypt from Alexander the Great's Greek general Ptolemy whom he made his Satrap (viceroy) over conquered Egypt.
I am soooo happy to know that there were people who kept true to themselves like Ms. Fredi Washington. God Bless Her.
She's stay on code. 🎉❤
As a mixed race person I deeply understand Fredi Washington's plight and struggles. She was an amazing actress.
I REALLY DON'T THINK YOU CAN, IN HER TIME THERE WAS NO SUCH THING AS MIXXED RACE.. YOU WERE EITHER BLACK OR YOU OR NOT.
REMEMBER THESE ARE PEOPLE COMING UP FROM SLAVERY AND MIXED VIA RAPE AND NOT BY CHOICE.
You could never fully understand that today. Stop it. She was truly dealing with racism during Jim Crow. She chose to support Black community because she is Black. Not mixed instead of supporting her oppressors.
A documentary film should be made about Fredi Washington.
My daughter is mixed and looks like Billy but is proud to say the most inspirational, beautiful woman she knows is me “ her black mother” she doesn’t know much people though lol!
Freddie Washington was Black.
I am so proud of her. It was so easy to hate yourself at that time.
At THAT time?!!
Media tried to do the same thing to Mariah Carey. She was labeled as "a White woman who can sing like a Black woman". However, Mariah stood up for who she was & denounced that label.
I'm knot sure if shh gave details of the journey of Hur Hue; don't have 2 bah et wood be an interesting read since we're in a positive/negative racist world...no fault of ours; it is what it is.
Isn’t Mariah both black and white? She’s bi racial so she’s both. For her to denounce one or the other isn’t she denying who she truly is. Honestly I think biracial people deserve more respect because from my experience both races look down on a biracial child.
@@LKCLifer The one drop of black blood still stands today..
@@LKCLifer l think Tiger Woods alleged to have had racial identity issues in the past, l believe, but the golf swinger accepted his mom's race instead.
@L K.C.Lifer She isn't Biracial, lol. She is mixed race which is far past being Biracial. Look at her and Nick Cannon's children.
I love that she refused to pass as white ❤
My son's Great Grandma had green eyes & very Lite but she never denied she was black. She was very beautiful ❤️. She always said the Plantation owner was her daddy.
My aunt is the same. Mixed is black. Period.
Your son meaning you are part of it
@@CaliforniaGirl1no it’s not it’s both and that’s ok
She's mixed race not black
@@CaliforniaGirl1mixed is not black period 😅😅😅
They didn't just risk rejection they risked death!
I learned of her as a child and respected her resilience and strength!❤
Imitation of Life made a huge impact on me as an innocent child . It was so so sad. What a beautiful lady she was!
❤loved that movie.
I. Know. A. Few. Black. Women. That. Have. Mixed. Baby. By. Causian. But. Those. Black. Women. We're. Demons. Too. Their. Kids. So. That. Movie. Was. Game. And. Trickery. Games. Money. Come. Up. Game. That. Movie. Is. Just. A. Stupid. Fairy tale. Too. Get. Money. N. Make. The. World. See. Mixed. People. As. The. Problem. And. A. Lot. Of. People. Played. The. Games. We. Lost. A. Lot. Of. Mix. People. Because. Of. The. Lies. Of. Movies. Like. That. God. Help. Us. All
My great great grandmother could have easily passed. Her situation was because of rape. Our family dynamic would not be what it is today if she did not proudly claim her mother's side.❤
I’m a mulatto girl myself this makes me so sad 😓 glad she stood up for herself though. Never be ashamed of yourself it can be a challenge some days even for myself with feelings of belonging but I’m working on it! ❤️
Peace and greetingz. What we survive help mode us 1way or another. Just continue2b ur best self and all else will find u. Believe the goodness that was born in u. U got it, u can and will overcome all that u were made2and ur beauty may sometimes b debated just remember the best part of beauty is its within that matter the most.
Be proud to be mulatto 💯❤️
If you are mixed, you are black.
You belong to GOD!!! People may NEVER accept us, but we are HERE!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Thank you all for the kind words blessings to you! ❤️
Hey, Karine. I've always loved Fredi and how she affirmed her blackness in spite of being offered fame and fortune. Thank you for this! BTW, have u ever considered doing a video on Sanaa Lathan?I feel she's one of the most underrated true ladies of out time. Be blessed!
Thank you for tuning in Kandon! And yes she is on my list for 2023 🥰 I have just a few more people ahead of her on the list and then I will do a breakdown on her. She’s very underrated ❤
What blackness?
@@KarineAlourde Also her stepmother is Haitian.
Dinah Shore was able to pass
Sanaa had a great career ahead of her in the beginning. However, it's been said that she has proven to be difficult.
I've seen Imitation of Life many times and I thought she was a white woman playing a biracial white passing woman. She was so beautiful and talented ❤
So sad to deny the family that loves you because they are hated for their skin color.
She really could have passed but respect that she didn't.
So you respect that she didn't,yet you have biracial actresses and biracials ,who classify as black?. And are you ok with that?
Personally I am not for the one drop rule but it is still often promoted in society and in Fredi's time biracial identity was not a choice.. Black community has for long time been more welcoming to mulatto/mixed people than white people have been.
@@purplelove3666 Thank you for pointing this out. So many biracial people are happy to be black but don't want to pass as white especially the women, they love being the face of blackness all the while, erasing unambiguous BW image in the media, And if we comment on it, were being told that were hatful, and jealous.
@@honeybee19892What a ignorant comment. Bi racial was a choice in her time. The racial integrity act didn't start until 1924 and only lasted 43 years. Fredi was born in 1903. She was listed on at list two census as MULATTO. The black community has not welcomed anything. The only thing the black community has been doing is claiming our wins. The majority of mulattos never wanted to be part of the black community. It was the 1924 racial integrity act which forced us to be part of the black community and forced us to share our advantages with them. Evidently you don't know your own history because mulattos has been documented since the early 1600s in the colonies. That's more than 300 years of firm history. I think you better dive into some books.
@@purplelove3666in my opinion she did it for attention. To be the stand out amongst the black community. She was born in 1903. Atleast two census would have her as MULATTO on it not black.
Thanks for posting this. As a mixed race older man who looks white I have always had a complicated relationship with my race. I always chose to say that I am mixed as opposed to letting folks assume I'm white. And I have always been clear on the privilege I have had in the society in general because of how I look. But it's always somewhat precarious. Some folks (of all races) say it doesn't matter that I'm mixed because people (who don't know me personally) see me as white. Other folks quote the one drop rule and say I'm Black regardless of shade. Just for the record, I'm not taking a poll here about how I should identify, just saying that I relate to the topic and thank you! In more recent years there has been a trend to call folks with my appearance "white-passing". Not a fan as I see "passing" as an action that you take purposefully, one I never wanted to engage in. I just say mixed.
It boils down to that you hate the white side . That is why I would never support having a mix child / children the child will always hate the white side .
My son is a very light skinned black boy. “White presenting” is a less demeaning way to describe his appearance. We jokingly refer to him as an undercover brother lol. My sister is white presenting as well and she says she gets to see a lot of folks true colors when they think there are no black people present 👀
@@nicolewood7957 I have definitely heard/used "undercover brother"! LOL And I have also been able to see a lot of folks "true colors" around race when they presume that they are around only white/non-Black folks.
If I were in such a group of folks who were that low, I'd walk away. Not all people are this crude and mean and uneducated.
White presenting and white passing are two different things. One drop rule is noting more than a tool weaponized by blacks to get advantage because it benefits them the most. The 1924 racial integrity act is what made one drop rule law for a measly 43 years (ended in 1967). Mulatto has been on the record books since the early 1600s starting in the original colonies. People's ignorance of US history is ridiculous
Thank you, Karine, for your videos. As an old white man who was (happily) raised in California with no differentiation between races -- my 1st grade teacher was black, and we lived in a mixed neighborhood -- when I became old enough to realize the kind of discrimination that non-white people in my culture had been subjected to, it was shocking and saddening to me, and really difficult to take in. I'm happy that there were a number of non-white entertainers who were able to give us a legacy to enjoy for many decades to come, and I can only hope that things continue to improve until we won't even have to mention race at all when we talk about someone's achievements.
Thanks for your candor. Unfortunately, white attacks on "woke" we are going backward. Look at DiSantistan. 75 million white people agree w him. We are doomed.
Me to, it's really sad, but so long as people teach hate from birth, unlikely, sad but true, if it comes to pass we will be long gone, if it wasn't for hope,faith and prayer, we wouldn't have gotten this far.
It's a shame that some people would deny their racial heritage because of what society has seemed the superior race.
Back then they did it to get ahead and succeed so you can’t really blame them
It's a shame that they had to.
They did it like gay people are passing as straight. Society love it that way. Shame is on society not the person passing.
@@shyredwall I didn't realize passing apply to being gay just trans. I do think society plays a huge part in people wanted to pass but I also think that it's up to the individual to make that choice to do so. Thanks for your response.
They're just as white as they are black. The one drop thing is just an evil rule set up by racists. That's what evil does, it confuses people and complicates everything.
You’re definitely one of my favorite UA-camrs. I love how classy and relaxing your channel is. I love how positive your videos are with your delivery.🤎
I did watch this film as a child and it did make me teary eyed especially towards the end.
I’m so proud of her for being proud of who she is and paving the way for future generations to look back and honour her.
Rest in Peace, Rest in Power 💯💯
I was first introduced to Ms. Fredi in the 1960s since my paternal grandmother carried the blue eyed gene herself. I also heard the book, as well as the tragic mulatto myth, was highly controversial at the time especially by black ppl.
Thank you for saying what you did. I'm mexican. My both parents are Mexican. I can pass as white. I get rejected among my own. My heart is brown it's Mexican. It hurts so much to get rejected. This has made me very shy with people in general. I wish people could just see me as a me. Thank you for presenting this beautiful woman's story.
But aren't you the beauty standard among Mexicans?
It’s one of those things…race, nationality and ethnicity. You can be both Mexican and white.
@@NiKiMa023 thankyou
... my brain hurts
You're Mexican, not black, so you never experience what Black. Americans go through.
@Starlight you're correct.. I'm over 50 percent Native American and my experience is different. Usually Mexicans are native most people do not understand our history. With that being said that doesn't mean I cannot identify with another humans pain. We need to see stop hear and listen hopefully one day we can just fully love. 🙏
I watched this movie when I was a kid, I had no idea what it was about but I would never forget it. By the end I was in tears, actually crying. It made a huge impression on me.
Omg me too😢
I never seen this version of "Imitation of life". The one that she's in must be the original. I got to see that. I never heard of her before, but I'm glad I do now.There have been so many amazing black artist in that time, that paved the way for us and they don't even get their flowers. Thank you Karine for making videos like this!
She lived a long life born 1903 to 1994!!
She was beautiful and very intelligent. I love that she had so much pride in her blackness
She isn't black she is mulatta
Not a black
@@ORISONTV exactly. She was mixed race.
No black don't look like her
@@ORISONTV Exactly. They have never liked us mulattos but they will CLAIM OUR WINS
So glad things have changed. So sad she had to go through that.
Some things have changed
You should do a video of Carol Channing. She revealed later in life that she is mixed with black..
Yeah when she was younger , you could tell she was of mixed heritage. I believe that’s why she wore her hair blonde to try to hide her blackness
Thank you so much for honoring Fredi Washington with your informative video.
I grew up watching old movies and remember grilling my parents about why more actors and actresses of color weren't featured more often in films.
It certainly led to some interesting discussions.
In the end, they agreed that many talented people deserved more opportunities.
We're standing on the shoulders of our ancestors, embrace your heritage, be proud of who you are, I've the upmost respect for Fredi Washington, for being true to herself.
I learned about Fredi Washington as a young girl and loved her ever since ❤❤❤ What a beautiful soul
Growing up “Imitation of Life, along with “The Bad Seed “ were two of my family’s , favorite movies🍿🥤🍫
I remember The bad Seed! That was a heck of a movie!
I loved both as well! 🍿 ❤
I love Fredi Washington! Thanks for this video! It sucks that there's not a lot of info on her or pictures. She's truly amazing ❤❤❤❤❤❤
Karine, Yahuah bless 🙏🏽 you mightily for your commentary on this subject. Something (the bigotry) I've been trying to highlight for years and consistently shot down. Having been aware of Freddie Washington for decades and her struggles in that industry, it's great to see she's getting the recognition she deserves. I recall the story of how the studios used dark makeup on her when she played opposite of Paul Robeson in 'The Emperor Jones,' because they panicked it would appear a yt woman was playing the love interest opposite a Blk man. Or that they completely removed her scenes with him when the movie played in southern states. Thank you!! 💕
I'm so glad you are a deep-diving film and movie industry historian. I would know 0% of this valuable knowledge if you didn't publish. Thank you very much.
What a Brave and Courageous Woman.❤🙏🏾 Thank You for doing this video. ❤
I deleted my old UA-cam and think about your content a lot! I’m so darn happy to have rediscovered your channel!
What a gorgeous lady. Could you fault her if she wanted to pass as white? So proud of her for standing up for who she was.
I am a Polish Jew. I can’t say what it is like to grow up as an American Black or Jewish during WWII but I know what it’s like to be the “butt” of all jokes. I embraced it and can laugh at myself.
Fredi was a beautiful human. Although humans always find something to tear people down, I look fwd to the day when race isn’t discussed as a negative.
yes we can.
Yes, we could blame her. It would’ve been a betrayal to her black ancestors and family to pretend that she was something other than what she was.
@@brittaniejones1623 - very true
yess i remember requesting this months back i’m so glad you did it❤! she was such a brave person
Hope you enjoyed it! ❤
@@KarineAlourde yes ofc you make the best videos !
Wow! I had no idea the 1959 version with Lana Turner and Juanita Moore was a remake. Now I have to watch the original ❤❤
You presented her story so poignantly, it's a story that has personal significance .ty hun❣❤❤
Thank you so much for this important history. I love your videos they are always so inspirational, informative and leave me feeling a scene of pride in my black history.
She isn't black
This was such a great breakdown! I had never heard of her nor have a seen the original “Imitation of Life.” I’ll need to check it out but I love that she chose not to pass! Too many people did that and are still doing it! I’ve never heard that Marilyn could be Mexican but it would not shock me at all!
I actually have seen the original version of "Imitation Of Life" when I was a teenager and I thought this was a white woman. 🤦 I guess maybe I assumed that she was actually white because in a lot of the Westerns my dad watched white actors would often play Native American characters. I guess I thought they allowed as few people of color on screen as possible back then. I'm not sure where my head was. 🤷😂
@@krazykaye8843 that’s such a good point, rarely we’re people of color actually played by people of color. Look at Angelina Jolie and how she played Mariane Pearl or Emma Stone playing an Asian woman in “Aloha” like, what???
@@appleopps4540 those are some great examples as well and they're not even from the old Hollywood era that I was thinking of, they're from years later! Goes to show how little has actually changed in some regards.
@@krazykaye8843 RIGHT?! Even now Hollywood is STILL pulling this racist/ colorist BS! Another example was Zoe Saldana as Nina Simone. A huge part of Nina Simone's identity was her dark skin. To put Zoe Saldana in black face and focus salaciously only on Nina's flaws- what an absolute insult that movie was!
The fact that Marilyn Monroe was Mexican makes so much sense. Explains why she did things like advocate for Ella Fitzgerald. Because she understood (at least to some extent) the racism Ella was up against and she wanted to help Ella get the recognition she deserved. The fact she's Mecican also explains why Cholos love Marilyn so much! ❤
rita hayworth is also white passing south american if i remember correctly
Are we ever going to have a Karine Alourde breakdown video? It'll be fun to learn more about you and learn some of your beauty and skincare tips ❤️
*She is tha' beautiful, l agree, like a melody🎵she so Sweeet💗*
What a beautiful intelligent woman, she was far far ahead of her time.
Thanks for this video. I have gone through the same thing as a preforming Artist. I have many of the same stories. So I have decided to do what I do best and that is to do my own thing in which God has given me the many gifts. No man can stop you from singing 😂.
My Nana could pass for white. She would clear up any misconceptions by saying, "On my birth certificate it says Negro!" She went through a lot. I was very confused growing up because she would say racist things about both blacks and whites. It was weird, as if she had a conflicted soul. She used to tell me stories of her drinking from a "white only" fountain in the south as a little girl in the late 1930's. I can't even fathom life back then. You have very fascinating Old Hollywood content. I'm glad I found your channel..
I APPLAUD HER FOR BEING A STRONG BLACK SISTER IN THE STRUGGLE, HOWEVER, i DON'T SEE THE BIG DEAL ON NOT PASSING.. MANY MANY BLACKS COULD HAVE PASSED FOR WHITE AND OVER 80% DIDN'T, INCLUDING MY GRANDPARENTS, THIS WAS NEVER AN OPTION.. BUT STAYED WITH THEIR PEOPLE.. SHE SHOULD BE HONORED BUT NOT RECEIVE A MEDAL FOR NOT PASSING - SHE SHOULD GET A MEDAL FOR BEING AN UPRIGHT BLACK WOMAN AND STANDING FOR CAUSE.
I am Latina and Jewish I loved both of my parents equally. Black in any shade is BEAUTIFUL!!❤❤❤
Latina isn't a race it's a couture.
@@debbiedavid3151Latinos know this-but we’re often so mixed it’s becoming it’s own race. We don’t take our definition from outsiders.
@@ravenrebel3183"becoming it's own race".. Mixed has always been it's own race
Fredi isn't black she is a Mulatta. Does this women look anything like Angela Bassett, Michelle Obama, Oprah to you? The only people in Africa with black ancestry you will find that look like Fredi are areas with alot of admixture like cape verde, or south Africa (coloureds) or the horn of Africa, or N Africa
@@krazyjnva2up2down55 no, Latino, which is not the same as mixed. Anyone can say they’re mixed if they have any admixture. But being Latino is specific. Latinos started as strictly European, but later on with the widespread miscegenation in the colonies, we’ve come to be seen as a race to ourselves. This is despite the fact that we aren’t all mixed to the same degree, with the same heritages, or even mixed at all. Hence why some people take issue with Latino being seen as a “race”. There are strictly white Latinos, strictly black Latinos, strictly Indigenous Latinos, and then the majority, mixed race Latinos.
Hii Karine than you for educating the life of the beautiful Fredi Washington. Imitation of life I watched twice the first was in black and white the second was in color, my goodness I thought both actress was white. Fredi wasn’t afraid of her blackness. She could easily passed but she refused. So sad she wasn’t accepted by black or white, but she pressed on courageously and made a difference. She was an extremely beautiful woman. Thank you for sharing 💐
Thank you for this video,and the reference to movie "The Imitation of Life"... I can remember watching this movie in the late 60's with my mother and sister on a summer night... At the end of the movie,my sister left the room in tears... After seeing the ending to this movie once again in 2023,I see how It can leave anyone in tears, including a grown man like me at 65... Now,I know how my sister felt back then...Thanx for the memories!
I love this channel i find it fascinating... They're all so charismatic and radically different from one another. If you haven't yet , i'd be so interested to hear your take on Kate Moss and her iconic duo with Naomi ♡
I think karine has done breakdowns on both
Karine, your videos are so well done. And, your voice is soothing and perfect for the narration. Thank you.
I need to watch this film, this industry has changed but lately it's been breaking me ngl, thank you for your videos Karine ❤
Thank you. I am a mixed race Jewish person. My family has always been mixed and always Jewish. We are Sephardim. Jews from North Africa that ended up in Spain, Italy and Portugal. And that is very common amongst Sephardim to be mixed. My Great Grandfather and Grandfather were Sephardim of Color. My Great First Cousin, was the Chief Rabbi of Boston. There are all kinds of people everywhere. I had heard of Fredi Washington and I am a huge fan of Eubie Blake, Noble Sisle's collaborator. I am from a neighborhood in Boston that was at one time a Black and also Jewish neighborhood. My family was not the only mixed Sephardic family in that neighborhood. I grew up believing and still believe that there is room for everyone on Planet Earth. I am a Professional Actor, Singer, Musician and Writer. The stereotypes and racist behavior still unfortunately continue in The Industry. Shalom. Take Care.
3:31 we believe it... Marilyn's hips, shape... yep!
I saw the original "Imitation of Life" years after seeing the 1956 version.
Interestingly, in the 1959 version, two people were passing in one form or another. Susan Kohner, who played? Sarah Jane, was the daughter of a Mexican actress, and a Jewish movie producer (fun fact, she is the mother of the Weitz Brothers, who are very successful filmmakers today). John Gavin, who played Steve Archer, was 100% Latino, but changed his name to get roles in Hollywood. I guess life imitates art sometimes.
@@eshim3961 Good points!
Wasn't familiar with Fredi Washinton. So many major Hollywood actresses were mixed race (Asian, African-American, Native American) but it was kept hidden. Ironically, Ava Gardner claimed she was also but it didn't hurt her career. To this day, there are still too many issues around race and skin color. Read that biracial actress Lonette McKee felt her career was hindered by being too fair skinned. And that was fairly recently. Thanks, Karine, for profiling this courageous and talented actress.
Even now it's still hard, people are so colorist.
Thank you, great content.
Growing up with light skin in a dark skinned family... isnt always easy.
"You're adopted, they found you in the garbage, don't play with porcelain doll, you think you're better than us because you look white, you can just go be white."
And this wasn't even in that time. Proud of her stand❤
She is so gorgeous. ❤
Praise God. She refuses to denied who the Most High God created her to be. Awesome.
Wow, I never heard of her . She looks like my older sister. Wow. And yes, And Both our parents are black .
She was so beautiful-my favorite from old Hollywood ❤️
I'm light bright. Some have called me white which I find offensive. We can definitely move differently. And get into places. But it's about what you do once in those positions.
She reminds me of my great grandmother. She was light skin with bright blue eyes. She definitely passed as white. When I was little my brother and I thought her and my grandma (green eyes) were white. Lol
There's no such thing as "light skinned". Your great grand mother was a Mulatta/Quadroon . White Passing and Presenting are two different things. The racial integrity act of 1924 is what "one dropped" people like your grand mother into the black community by law. This ONLY LASTED FOR 43 years (ended in 1967). Yet until this very day black people weaponize it to their advantage. Make no mistake Mulatto and black are not the same and neither share the same history. Mulatto has been on the books since 1600s in the oringial colonies in this country. That's more than 300 years of history.
Good Bio ❤ and imitation of life always makes me cry when I watch it.
Great coverage. I always suspected Claudette Colbert as also passing too.
It’s still like that today !!! People are still passing
This was awesome! Thank you for such a job well done!
I love your channel’s beauty and intellect. Colorism and racism are dumb.
To racist people, we’re all the same.
We’re not a monolith, but we certainly share important things our parents gave us, and
that keeps us close. One of the things I’m most proud of is our brotherhood.
I did a double take when you tried to pronounce Merle’s name. 😂
It’s not Mar lay.
Also, we can’t overlook the way whitepassing or light skinned people were treated in their own communities. For some, it forced them out. They were ‘Othered’. Not black enough. Etc.
Imagine you are black man walking with a white looking girl during the height of Jim Crow. Can you imagine how dangerous that would be to the racists? Because all they would see is a n***er trying to rape a white woman.
I never heard of Fredi and am so inspired by her story.
Omg i literally just thought about this movie today! It is such a wonderful movie! I could not remember what it was called. So interesting to hear the actress’s story.
Thank you for posting and narrating this!!! She is my hero.
A shame people thought they had to be live that way!! Glad to see women embrace who they were!!
as a young teen in the 2000s this made me take a look about how art imitates life and also life imitates art.
Imitation of life is a wonderful movies I ❤ this version with Fredi Washington as well as the 2nd version both are great the emotions 😢
The second movie is in color with Ruby D in the 60s
She looks white. If she took an ancestry DNA test it would show that she is most like 95 percent Caucasian. I’m not sure how anyone would think she’s black. She should have just embraced both races. Not choosing one over the other. An appreciation for both would be most beneficial.
Great job as always, Karine! Could you do one on Anna May Wong - A quarter came out with her face on...
Yes she’s on my list possibly in April! She paved the way too and deserved much better 😢
I bet with your in-depth research on Anna May Wong and you being a gifted storyteller with heart - it going to be fabulous! I will probably be sending your Anna May Wong video to over 200 family and friends. The US mint just put out new quarters in her honor.
It is so frustrating that people still don't understand that Mexican is a nation/ nationally, not ethnicity. There are white Mexicans , Black / Afro Mexicans, and indigenous Mexicans. If Marilyn Monroe had a mother from Mexico, she is still of European heritage. So yes, a white person.
Alot of ppl use nationality to cover race their eg ppl from Dominica say I'm dominicana instead of saying I'm black. It's basically self denial due to social and racial crisis in that country
@Auchie Thomas OK, but we all understand that in the Dominican Republic is multi ethnic mix of people too. Most North and South America is because of colonialism.
I'm racially ambiguous. I have to correct people a lot that I'm a USA national as much as any white person. And so are my African American/ Black ancestors. I love my multi ethnic gene pool.
@Auchie Thomas that because race is a man-made concept. We're really are just human. And when it's come to identity your ethnicity is who you truly are; not race.
@@erikadlloyd5586 exactly.....I know 2 afro-Mexican sisters (i'm here in the DC area). Both parents afro-Mexican. And I had a white Mexican chemistry teacher (most of their family were originally from Germany before coming 2 Mexico (vs Spaniard ancestry)).
Marilyn Monroe's mother was a White American woman. She was simply born across the border.
Especially in today's world, this applies demonstrability. We showed up on this planet in our form and it's up to us to be better people than the circumstances we were born into, who we were born to and our ancestorial past. We can make a difference and we need to work together rather than against each other.
Love her she was a phenomenal but gorgeous woman with excellent talent.
This is so sad. I remember watching imitation of life a few months ago and I felt so sad😭. This video was really good all in all.
Good for her, I’m glad she stood up for herself in such a tough era.
Unfortunately, not much is changed many people still do whatever they can’t not identify as a fundamental black American❤
Hey sis 😘. I just got done watching your Joyce Bryant video and man was she a beauty ❤️❤️. I can’t wait to watch this video! I’ve been obsessing over vintage beauties lately and thank you for educating me on these forgotten ladies!
Thank you for watching sis! I got you 😘♥️
It's why we mixed people fight hard for our black side as well as the other half. I'm Native and black And i feel more black because i look like the "one drop rule",😂 but also feel native because i am and have some native features. I feel pride for both, But in the mits of the full looking ones, i feel like i'm sometimes excluded 😅 even had weird comments thrown at me by my own mixed family who are more on the Native looking side, while me and my youngest brother look mixed/black with the beautiful African hair.
How do you feel a color? Can you please Barry the black drop rule,it's not beneficial to black people.
@@purplelove3666 it's not that i feel a color. That's not what i mean. Your twisting my words. It's that i feel drawn towards one side more because i look black. It's the side of me that is obvious, because of my hair, my skin, nose,lips and so where i live people see me as black and treat me as such. I get all the "advantage" and disadvantage that comes with being black 😅. And if your black, you know what disadvantages. I go trough the same hardship and have the same history because it's what i am BLACK. Your probably not pure African either and so they call you black. I was being sarcastic with that "one drop rule" thing. I hate that concept of looking at people like that. I like the uniqueness in us human creatures. That we're all so different and yet the same. I like the differences in culture, but it's also one of the things that create fear and division in some people.
Uh ok. Black is black period.
@@dwaynesilva9203 black is black
@@dwaynesilva9203 I feel your pain because I am Black and Hispanic (Puerto Rican to be precise) and people try to lump me as one as I favor both sides
What a beautiful woman
I just want say thank you for showing us all the people of color who succeeded in an all white profession! I am white and I, as a little girl, use to cringe when I saw Afro American people playing maids, butler’s and etc… and not getting any recognition. Their recognition was given at their deaths or later even. Thank you so much for caring about everyone! ❤
People still use "mulatto"? I'm biracial...my creole grandmother told me to not let anyone use that term when referring to me 🤷🏽♀️
Mulltao. I. Heard. Was. A. Less. Threaten. Black. Human being. The. Passive. Black. No. Problem. Black. No. Fight. Back. Black. Do. Anything. Too. Mulltao. That's. What. A. Mixed. Girl. Said. On. UA-cam
Joan Crawford( Lucille LeSueur was her real name) born in San Antonio , of Louisiana Creole descent. Look at the early pictures of her . Ava Gardner, Mae West, Carol Channing , Clark Gable and the list goes on.
Fredi Washington wasn't biracial. She was black American.
My Black is Beautiful !!! even though I'm high yella. Growing up I faced all kinds of colorism. Ive never known my white birth mom but my mama was dark skin....bc of her I know who I am. ❤
@Karine Alourde what a fabulous video! Thank you for educating the sheep.
I loved her in Imitation of Life! Much respect for Miss Washington!!!
Thank you, Karine for your wonderful videos. I would love to see a video on Beautiful Dona Drake/ Rita Rio who passed for white to make it in Hollywood. She was a Swing band leader dancer, actress, singer.
She's neither black or white. She's mix race. Let's get real here and respect that she is neither.
Imitation of Life is such a profound movie. My mom made me watch it when I was little and I just recently watched it again. The end of that movie is so heartbreaking.
EDIT: I went to Julia Richman High School!!
Once again an awesome video. And another movie to investigate and watch, enriching the cultural knowledge of my family. You are appreciated!
Awesome History thank you so much for sharing, love you ❤️
Karine, I appreciate your narration of Fredi's biography! She was beautiful and stood in her truth! Unfortunately, a lot of people back then, didn't!
The cruelty shown to black was essesive. Some people passed to survived racism! Anyone who has roots in this country for over 200 years knows the reason why.
You will be shocked at who is passing in the real world today! Like you said; "They will name every other race but black!"
My grandmother had blond hair and blue eyes, and no one ever believed that she was black. She looked just like Doris Day; so I know Fredi's story very well! Thank you for posting.
"My grandmother had blonde hair and blue eyes, and no one ever believed that she was black".
That's because she is NOT black and if she does have black in her she is a Mulatto /quadroon or octoroon (mixed race). Can you please let me know the metric you are using to identify your grandmother as black? It sure sounds like you are utilizing the racist 1924 racial integrity act aka one drop rule (which only lasted a measly 43 years).
Speaking of 200 years, I think you need to tighten up on North American history because Mulatto has been on documents since atleast the 1600s in English, French, and Spanish colonies in current day United States. Your passing comment isn't 100% accurate. In the English colonies there was a loop hole that allowed mulattos born to a white mother to be free whole those who were born to a black mother were born into slavery.
Maybe you should start actually taking some pride in your mulatto roots and stop kissing black people's rear end. It was literally mulattos that led blacks into the future in this country and well before slavery ended.
I learned a lot tonight... great video! Glad i watched..