Double Post! - by HepClassic

This week, I'd like for you all to check out two posts by our current and main guest blogger, HepClassic.


************


In honor of Lou Gossett, Jr.'s 79th birthday (on May 27th), HepClassic shared a tribute post on his Tumblr:

"It is an amazing that the next actor I have chosen to pay tribute to parlays a lot into this upcoming holiday weekend, not to mention he was in my original plans for a tribute from February, that I am still catching up on and finally seeing realized. The past three blogs I had originally planned for February, but due to technical difficulties, I was unable to post them, to add personal business in the fold too making it nearly impossible. But, I digress.

February is African American History month on the calendar, but it is everyday for me, and it is a time to study, learn, and appreciate the contributions of African Americans into the fold of American culture. In film, there is little appreciation let alone knowledge of the contributions of African Americans in film pre- Sidney Poitier.  Hattie McDaniel has garnered a little more respect nowadays, but only just that little. But, it is more than just them. One thing about African American classic Hollywood is that the history remains living, because many classic African American movie stars are still living and still working, like the actor I am about to pay tribute to. This will not be a traditional blog that you are used to seeing from me, and that is not because there is a happy ending involved.The actor I am paying tribute to today is Louis Gossett, Jr." - "Louis Gossett Jr.: Authoritative Advocate" (click the link to read the post in its entirety).

Lou Gossett, Jr. pictured with Ruby Dee & Sidney Poitier in the stage production of A Raisin in the Sun.

************

This past June 10th marked 120 years since Hattie McDaniel's birthday in Wichita, Kansas. HepClassic shared a lovely post in honor of her birthday:

"No African American actor or actress in Hollywood would have a career today if Hattie didn’t start designing the architecture of a path with her contributions and achievements. In 2002, when Sidney Poitier received an Honorary Oscar for a life’s work, he stated this: “I dedicate this to the African American actors and actresses who went through those difficult years, whose shoulders I had the privilege to stand on.” Of course, a person who is most responsible for that shoulder and path for Poitier and other beneficiaries to follow was Hattie McDaniel’s." - "Hattie McDaniel: A First" (click the link to read the post in its entirety).

 ************