Women and Mixed Race Representation in Film: Eight Star Profiles

by Valerie C Gilbert

This book uses a black/white interracial lens to examine the lives and careers of eight prominent American-born actresses from the silent age through the studio era, New Hollywood, and into the present Josephine Baker, Nina Mae McKinney, Fredi Washington, Lena Horne, Dorothy Dandridge, Lonette McKee, Jennifer Beals and Halle Berry. Combining biography with detailed film readings, the author fleshes out the tragic mulatto stereotype, while at the same time exploring concepts and themes such as racial identity, the one-drop rule, passing, skin color, transracial adoption, interracial romance, and more. With a wealth of background information, this study also places these actresses in historical context, providing insight into the construction of race, both onscreen and off. Award-winning book that recently earned acclaim from the prestigious Next Generation Indie Book Awards!

302 pages, Paperback

Published September 24, 2021

Reviews

[Diane Wah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book engaging, thought-provoking, and informative far beyond what the title promises. It is invaluable in its thorough overview of eight iconic actresses and their work, fresh critical analyses of their films, discussion of the actresses’ contributions to positive (and sometimes not so positive) changes in film portrayals of black and mixed race American women, and the historical context of these actresses’ accomplishments. Out of context, many of the roles, plots, and practices used 20, 50, or 100 years ago are cringe-worthy. But in the context of their times, each actress profiled was a trailblazer.

Today, it’s hard to imagine public protests against movies simply for, say, portraying equitable romantic relationships between blacks and whites, or black Americans as three-dimensional, sentient beings. While it’s commonly accepted that minorities are often marginalized, stereotyped, and dehumanized in the media, this book makes it all too clear why, in film alone, after the civil rights movement of the 1960s and more, these conditions persist and we continue to struggle with deep racist anger and division in the 21st century.

And yet, we can see progress on these issues. This book weaves disparate films into a cohesive whole and traces incremental changes in casting, roles, and narratives over time. In the process, it informs issues of racism and social justice in a broader context.

This book would be enjoyable to anyone interested not only in film, any of the eight actresses profiled, race in arts and culture, and social justice, but also in how arts and media shape and are shaped by contemporary thought, how public perception can be shifted, and how deep and insidious our subconscious beliefs are. I highly recommend this to anyone with even a passing interest in any of these subjects.

[Corinne · Rating 3 out of 5]

In depth research on early film codes, social mores, and thoughtful exploration of recurring themes through the lives and work of eight mixed race actors. It's a shame that the tiny font and general packaging are less than inviting, because the author has a lot to offer.