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.


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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.

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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).

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Paul Winfield: Eloquent Sketcher - a post by HepClassic

Last week, guest blogger, HepClassic shared a touching post in honor of the late, great, and criminally unsung actor, Paul Winfield (who would have turned 76 on May 22nd). Here is an excerpt:

"Paul Winfield gave life to dramatic arguments for equality throughout his entire career, and whose performances put a human face to the many stories we deny and continue to deny today. His, like so many others, is an American story. He is a classic movie star in the truest sense, but since we deny these stories as equally important as the stories of James Stewart and Anthony Perkins, as we deny the stories of experience and the validity of them in our real life, one has to wonder when we can address these irrattional fears, include an “other” person’s narrative as important as someone who is not. The disregard, the suppression of facts, and the constant dismissal and degradation of Americans of color have to stop if we dare move this country forward, because “restoring” America to its previous self of social inequality will not do us any good. Behind every misconstrued stereotype and falsehood, lies a human face. Maybe it’s time we accept Paul Winfield for the star that he is, and for the American he was."

Wow! 

Click here to read HepClassic's post in its entirety.  

Happy Belated Birthday to the legendary Paul Winfield! 

From NNDb