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The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.
As always, please be considerate of your fellow Fictioneers and keep your stories to 100 words. (Title is not included in the word count.) Many thanks.
PHOTO PROMPT © Dawn M. Miller
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
JOURNEY TO THE FRONT OF THE ROOM
“Tell me ‘bout when you was a boy, Daddy.”
Henry hugged little Hattie, the baby of his thirteen children. “Last time I got sold I mighta been nine, maybe ten.”
“Play your banjo, Daddy.” Her huge eyes shone. “Please.”
“Only if’n you sings along.”
***
After performing in carnivals and minstrel shows, Hattie McDaniel set her sights on Hollywood.
In the 1940’s and 50’s the NAACP criticized the Oscar winning actress for her servile screen roles. She defied her accusers saying, “Until you offer a better alternative, I’d rather portray a maid for $700 a week than be one for seven.”
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Individuals make decisions in their own interests, and that’s the basis of economics. Groups make decisions in the collective interest, and that’s the basis of politics. You captured the dilemma really well, Rochelle
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Dear Neil,
For Hattie there weren’t many options as far as movie roles. She certainly made the best of a sad situation, didn’t she? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Exploiter or exploited?
Never an easy answer to this one, m’lady.
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How about “If you can’t beat ’em, be superior”?
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Good for Hattie. She was right about the criticism she received. She made better money acting those roles so why shouldn’t she use her talent. She knew things weren’t going to change for some time to come so made the best of it. She did what she could. Good writing, Rochelle. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
Hattie did what she had to do and made a name for herself. Not only that she blazed a trail for other black actors. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I forgot to mention “Happy Hanukkah”, Rochelle!. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Thank you, Suzanne. 😀
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That’s a truly brilliant line. Wry, cynical and practical. Well done, Rochelle. Always a joy.
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Dear Sandra,
I wish I could lay claim to the line, but it came from Miss McDaniels herself. Thank you for your words that make me smile. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Your writings portray the duality of peoples’ perceptions and the hard rock of reality on which their ‘targets’ live their lives. Very beautifully written, Rochelle.
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Dear Neel,
You always leave such sweet comments. Thank you so much.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The pleasure is entirely mine.
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great portrait. I’ve always loved her. Victoria Spivey, Bessie Smith, Sister Rosetta Tharpe… these women could really sing. Hard to have dignity when the treatment by whites was so offhand, but Hattie did a great job anyway.
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Dear Josh,
Hattie was a strong woman who knew what she needed to do to get ahead and she did it with dignity. (Even if the naysayers criticized her). It’s a sorry part of Hollywood history that does make my blood boil. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I imagine she was an inspiration to other women of her time. Excellent Rochelle
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Many thanks, Keith. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great little mini-portrait of a great woman. Someone had to be first to get their foot in the door and let others in that door she opened.
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Dear Trent,
I imagine she was a force with which to reckon. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sometimes you do not have a choice… few actresses ever get the opportunities to portray anything else than what is scripted for them… and the choice of having a blackfaced person doing the act is even worse… progress always goes in steps.
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Dear Björn,
It was a sad sign of the times when intelligent actors were forced to play shuffling servants. But Ms. McDaniel had the attitude to be a trailblazer. Thank you for reading and commenting. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Her legacy is what we see today, like so many along with her. In the long run, I think she has been proved right – you have to start somewhere to make big changes.
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Dear Iain,
I quite agree. Hattie did what she had to do to make it and she did it very well. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Good story of past times and decisions. I’ll bet she made more impact on her family and friends as an actor than as a $7.00 a week maid.
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Dear Jan,
She definitely made an impact. Thanks for reading. ❤
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Great portrait. A wonderful read.
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Thank you so much, Lisa. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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As always, I really enjoyed the voices in your dialogue. Hattie was an inspiration and a strong woman who despite criticism opened the door to future opportunities for others.
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Dear Brenda,
It’s hard to go through life without receiving criticism about something, isn’t it? At least she was willing to face it in order to bring about good changes. It’s hard not to admire the feisty actress. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Very true! I’m not good at receiving criticism. I do admire a feisty personality for sure.
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Wonderful, amazing woman. What strength! Thanks for this fascinating tidbit of screen history
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Dear Linda,
She was quite a woman. Glad you enjoyed my little snippet. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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One has to make a difficult choice when choices are limited.
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Dear Shrawley,
I’d say that Ms. McDaniel made the right choice and ran with it. She was someone special. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Lovely story, Rochelle. Hattie made history when she was the first African American to win an Oscar. Good for her. I like how she dealt with her critics. Playing a maid was better than being one.
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Dear AHFA,
I don’t think Hattie would’ve been a person to argue with. She endured the indignities and rose above them. Gotta admire her for that. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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And because she was willing to portray one, rather than let those girls in black face do it – the range of choice for her children and grandchildren because just a little wide. Every inch counts.
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Dear Alice,
Fortunately, many black actors today pay her homage and recognize what she did for them. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Flower Belle Lee W(T)F,
I’d rather portray a maid too as my cleaning skills are lacking. Actually, I thought I preferred playing a doctor, but the only roles I could land was as a proctologist–still it’s better than being the patient (in those situations).
Thanks for another bit of movie history,
Cuthbert J. Twillie
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Dear Cuthbert J. Twillie,
In this day and age, I think a proctologist might also be considered a brain surgeon. Glad you enjoyed the movie trivia. Always good with a box of Milk Duds and buttered popcorn. 😉 😀
Shalom,
Flower Belle Lee W(T)F
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Awesome. What a spectacular comeback. I’ll bet they didn’t really have an answer for such a practical-minded rebuttal. A really clever piece, Rochelle. I’m still grinning.
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Dear Eric,
I believe Ms. McDaniel made her point whether her critics agreed or not. Thank you for your affirming comments. Happy to leave you grinning. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Go Hattie! Very nicely done, Rochelle!
Here’s my contribution, for some solutions that aren’t best, but may sometimes be necessary.
Na’ama
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Thank you very much, Na’ama,
Shalom,
Rochelle
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🙂 You’re most welcome. I admire your fortitude and service to all of us in these fantastic historical fiction bits. I learn something new a lot of the time! 🙂 Happy Hanukkah (I SO love that we get to say this for eight whole days!) Na’ama
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She was one of my favorites in Gone with the Wind. Good for her for sticking to her guns.
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And for you for bringing her back into the limelight!
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Dear Lish,
I’ve long admired her. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I know nothing about anyone! But I feel I learn a little something every time I read one of your stories – always so informative!
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Dear Thom,
Such a lovely thing to say. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you, Rochelle, for this reminder of a wonderful actress who also clearly had a very grounded understanding of the world she had no choice but to inhabit. Best wishes, Jilly.
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Dear Jilly,
It saddens me that so many gifted actors were relegated to such roles because of their skin color. Thank you for your affirming comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’ll google her, brilliant work Rochelle as ever, The encyclopaedia Rochelica does it again!!
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Dear Shrawley,
Aaaw, Encyclopedia Rochelica. Loe it! As I’ve said before, it’s more like Trivial Pursuitica 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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a good retort. she had more sense than the high and the mighty who criticize just to feel important.
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Dear Plaridel,
I don’t imagine Ms. McDaniel was one to engage in an argument. She played the hand she was dealt with intelligence and courage. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Kudos to her for keep on keeping on. All about having the choice, isn’t it? It’s beyond awful that she could not even attend the Academy Awards properly…. or see the premier to her own movie? Seriously gross and unfair. Glad she became an activist and helped create more change.
Fabulous portrayal as I expect from you 😉
Lotsa love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
Wouldn’t you just love to meet her? The way I see it is that she played the hand she was dealt with intelligence and courage. I love it that Clark Gable nearly boycotted the opening in Atlanta because Hattie wasn’t allowed to go. It says a lot about him, too. At any rate, Ms. McDaniel is a woman I’ve long had the utmost respect for. (quite the sentence, eh?) As always, thank you for your comments/compliments. 😀
Shalom and hugs,
Rochelle
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I so do! She did and extremely wisely. And yes, kudos to Mr. Gable as well.
That was quite the sentence indeed 😉
Lotsa love,
Dale
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Lovely story, Rochelle about an icon.
Shalom,
Deborah
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Thank you for a lovely comment, Deborah.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochell,
Thank you for such an inspirational portrayal of a woman who opened doors for others. She was the first African American to win the Academy Award and she wasn’t even allowed to sit with the rest of the cast. And it was many years later that Whoopi Goldberg won an Oscar in the same category. It took years for things to change and I’m thankful to Hattie for paving the way.
Years ago I wrote a post about her. Check it out when you have time. https://notestowomen.wordpress.com/2012/02/29/hattie-mcdaniel/
Shalom,
Adele
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Dear Adele,
Thank you for sharing your post with me. I can’t imagine what she endured during her lifetime. One has to respect and admire her. Thank you for your affirming comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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There is a measure of bitterness when one is consigned to be limited to the roles others impose upon them, but there is a certain amount of triumph too, in nudging things forward ever so much to allow for a wedge to be driven an open the door of opportunity even wider for the next generation. Thank you, Miss Hattie.
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Dear Rommy,
She did help move things forward, didn’t she? Thank you for your affirming comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So love the voice and your telling of the story, Rochelle. Also, love the brilliant last line.
Regards and best wishes,
Moon
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Dear Moon,
So lovely to see you here. Thank you for your affirming comments. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It’s frustrating when those advocating for choice and respect don’t seem to respect the choices made the the individuals they say to advocate for.
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Dear Magaly,
You would think those with a common cause would support each other, wouldn’t you? It seems that’s never the case. As long as there are humans there will be disputes. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a powerful comeback from her. Words are cheap, you need money to survive.
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Dear Anurag,
She knew what she needed to do and she did it. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A touching story. A story of struggle and overcoming difficulties. Why did anyone object her potraying certain role in movie? It should be her choice, should it not?
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Dear Abhijit,
Back in the 1930s and 40s the only roles open to black people were those of shuffling servants. There were some blacks who objected to her giving in to the stereotypical roles. Her choice in the day was to accept the roles or not act. Sad but true. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great story, again, with the taste of history we have come to expect.
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Many thanks for your lovely comment, Liz. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Love your insight to Hattie McDaniel.
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Thank you, Di. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hattie is so inspirational – as are you.
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What a lovely compliment. Thank you, Louise. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m with Hattie in her choices – she chose from her options at the time. Part of the journey that led to today. Thanks for shining a light on history Rochelle.
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Dear Francine,
I’m always amazed when I find obscure nuggets of history. I just have to share them. However this bit of history isn’t all that obscure. 😉 Thank you so much.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Nice come-back line! Another little slice of history I didn’t know anything about 🙂
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Dear Ali,
I’m always happy to share. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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As usual you make history personal and intimate by your words. Nicely written!
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Thank you for such a lovely compliment, Penny. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh she was a marvellous woman! She was on screen in front of thousands. Shame the roles weren’t better. Still what a role model! Actor !
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Dear Laurie,
Hattie was a trailblazer. I wonder what roles she might’ve played under different circumstances. Thank you.
Shalom
Rochelle
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Thanks for your patience with my comment form. I know it’s slow. I just don’t know how to speed it up
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🙂
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A good story and a GREAT history lesson attached.
Shalom,
Ronda
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Aw shucks. 😀 Thank you, Ronda.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love Hattie McDaniel and I love this post in her honor!!! Thank you!!
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Thank you so much, Violet. She’s one of my heroes, too.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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the choices we make!!!!
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Indeed. She made some good ones. Thank you for stopping by, Arora.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I have like her in everything I have ever seen her in. Marvelous woman.
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Dear Jo,
She was wonderful. I wonder what kinds of roles she would’ve played with more options. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You make dialogue seem so easy. It’s something that is going to take me awhile to master. I’m all in with Hattie. It was her life, her decision and her courage to accomplish what she did given the limitations of the time.
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Dear Susan,
I’m so happy to see you here. 😀 Hattie was amazing. Given the limitations of the time, she took it to the top. I wonder what types of roles she might’ve played given the opportunities?
Thanks re the dialogue. It’s always been my favorite part of reading and talking does come naturally to me. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well told Rochelle and the clip showed me a woman I could remember seeing in films myself. She was a great woman and you brought her to life in your flash.
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Dear Irene,
She was a tour de force, wasn’t she? Always happy to put faces on history. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You bring them alive Rochelle.
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She paved the way for other black actors in Hollywood, Thank you for introducing me to her, Rochelle.
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Dear Magarisa,
She was a trailblazer. I’m happy to hear black actors acknowledging her today. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That was indeed a great comeback line. A great slice of movie history.
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Dear Subroto,
I can’t take credit for the comeback. That was all Hattie. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Love that comeback. Good for her.
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Dear Sascha,
The comeback was all Hattie. She was quite a force, I think. 😀
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You go Hattie!
Great story.
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Amen, Dawn! What a woman! Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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One has to learn to strive the harsh reality and foremost learn to love and respect oneself. The society just follows over the time. An engaging story about a true hero.
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Dear Ira,
She was a true hero indeed. Thank you for your kind words and, again, welcome to Friday Fictioneers. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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When I saw the video clip after reading your story I was struck by the constant, attritional nature of the institutional racism that Hattie and so many others were forced to live through. She was truly a remarkable lady and I am the richer for being enlightened. 🙂
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Dear JWD,
It’s really appalling what black actors in the day had to settle for. Hattie was remarkable and helped paved the way for black actors today. Thankfully we’ve been blessed with their talents in diverse roles. Thank you for your affirming comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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She certainly made the best of her situation and paved the way for modern stars.
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Dear Fatima,
She did indeed. Thank you for stopping by. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I think Hattie was a brave woman. She did what she felt called to do and stuck to her guns no matter the criticism directed at her! I think helped open the door for others to follow in her footsteps. Great write!
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