POP CULTURE BLOG: Paris Sewell on the need to re-discover & re-celebrate cinema's early pioneers of color

I am someone who loves watching films. I love the classic era, the modern era, and everything in between. I am also someone who loves celebrity culture and is a fan of different actors. However, when I look back into the classic era in Hollywood, it is dominated by white faces. Yes, I know the culture and the times are different but contrary to popular belief, there were quite a few people of color celebrities back in the day; these pioneers should get re-evaluated and re-discovered. It would be inspiring to young people of color to know about the hard working people who blazed the trail before them.

I love Marilyn Monroe and she is my favorite classic Hollywood actress. However, when conversations of classic Hollywood actors and actresses are discussed, why aren’t we mentioning and celebrating the people of color? People like Dorothy Dandridge, Anna May Wong, Sessue Hayakawa, for example, are left out of the conversation. It had to take me learning about these people through school for me to even know them. It annoys me that these people are essentially erased through lack of celebration of their contributions to history. They are extremely talented and hardworking; plus they beat the boundaries for being a person of color in an age where white was superior. Especially for Asians and Native Americans where they often do not have any significant figures to look up to in popular culture, we really need to enlighten the new generation on the people who laid down the foundation.

I understand for Anna May Wong that she is the epitome of the start of horrible stereotypes (which especially takes a toll in this current age). However, we should take her work and use it as a learning piece and a stepping stone. Marilyn Monroe was used to represent a sexual and ditzy girl, however, we think of her more than that. We consider her an icon, a feminist, a kindhearted spirit who left us too soon. We think of Audrey Hepburn as the girl next door, a humanitarian, and a fashion icon. So why can’t we do the same for the people of color? Why can’t we re-contextualize and re-evaluate Anna May Wong?

You can read more of writer Paris Sewell’s reviews and pop culture appreciation posts @parishatesyouxo.