WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:00.750 align:middle line:90% 00:00:00.750 --> 00:00:02.040 align:middle line:90% Hattie McDaniel. 00:00:02.040 --> 00:00:04.480 align:middle line:84% I think some of you may know who she is. 00:00:04.480 --> 00:00:05.490 align:middle line:90% I hope you do. 00:00:05.490 --> 00:00:07.050 align:middle line:84% She was the first African American 00:00:07.050 --> 00:00:11.430 align:middle line:84% to get an Oscar for playing a maid. 00:00:11.430 --> 00:00:13.920 align:middle line:84% And she got a lot of flak from some people-- 00:00:13.920 --> 00:00:17.520 align:middle line:84% as if she had a choice of what kind of role she could do. 00:00:17.520 --> 00:00:22.920 align:middle line:84% And that year, when the Oscars were given, 00:00:22.920 --> 00:00:25.020 align:middle line:84% they were given in the Coconut Grove. 00:00:25.020 --> 00:00:32.020 align:middle line:84% And you had to walk around a corner to get there. 00:00:32.020 --> 00:00:37.210 align:middle line:90% So this is her walk. 00:00:37.210 --> 00:00:38.630 align:middle line:90% Now I've lost my page. 00:00:38.630 --> 00:00:40.270 align:middle line:90% Here it is. 00:00:40.270 --> 00:00:44.110 align:middle line:84% "Hattie McDaniel arrives at the Coconut Grove 00:00:44.110 --> 00:00:47.230 align:middle line:90% late in aqua and ermine. 00:00:47.230 --> 00:00:51.310 align:middle line:84% Gardenias scaling her left sleeve and a spasm of scent. 00:00:51.310 --> 00:00:52.780 align:middle line:90% Her gloves white. 00:00:52.780 --> 00:00:54.700 align:middle line:90% Her smile chastened. 00:00:54.700 --> 00:00:57.730 align:middle line:84% Purse giddy with stars and rhinestones 00:00:57.730 --> 00:01:00.430 align:middle line:84% clipped to her brilliantined hair. 00:01:00.430 --> 00:01:06.400 align:middle line:84% On her free arm, that fine Negro, Mr. Wonderful Smith. 00:01:06.400 --> 00:01:08.020 align:middle line:90% It's a day that isn't-- 00:01:08.020 --> 00:01:12.160 align:middle line:84% February 29th at the end of the shortest month of the year. 00:01:12.160 --> 00:01:16.540 align:middle line:84% And the shittiest too everywhere except Hollywood, California, 00:01:16.540 --> 00:01:19.510 align:middle line:84% where the maid can wear mink and still be a maid, 00:01:19.510 --> 00:01:22.540 align:middle line:84% bobbing her bandaged head and cursing the white folks 00:01:22.540 --> 00:01:26.500 align:middle line:84% under her breath as she smiles and shoes their silly daughters 00:01:26.500 --> 00:01:28.480 align:middle line:90% in from the night dew. 00:01:28.480 --> 00:01:32.500 align:middle line:84% What can she be thinking of, striding into the ballroom 00:01:32.500 --> 00:01:35.410 align:middle line:84% where no Black face has ever showed itself 00:01:35.410 --> 00:01:38.380 align:middle line:90% except above a serving tray? 00:01:38.380 --> 00:01:40.010 align:middle line:90% Hi-Hat Hattie. 00:01:40.010 --> 00:01:41.230 align:middle line:90% Mama Mac. 00:01:41.230 --> 00:01:42.670 align:middle line:90% Her Haughtiness. 00:01:42.670 --> 00:01:47.710 align:middle line:84% The little lady from Showboat whose name Bing forgot. 00:01:47.710 --> 00:01:52.150 align:middle line:84% Beulah and Bertha and Malena and Carrie and Violet 00:01:52.150 --> 00:01:54.730 align:middle line:90% and Cynthia and Fidelia-- 00:01:54.730 --> 00:01:57.520 align:middle line:90% one half of the Dark Barrymores. 00:01:57.520 --> 00:02:00.820 align:middle line:84% Dear Mammy, we can't help but hug you, crawl 00:02:00.820 --> 00:02:05.080 align:middle line:84% into your generous lap, tease you with arch innuendo, 00:02:05.080 --> 00:02:10.210 align:middle line:84% so we can feel that much more wicked and youthful and sleek. 00:02:10.210 --> 00:02:12.820 align:middle line:90% But, oh, what we forgot. 00:02:12.820 --> 00:02:14.320 align:middle line:90% The four husbands. 00:02:14.320 --> 00:02:16.360 align:middle line:90% The phantom pregnancy. 00:02:16.360 --> 00:02:18.010 align:middle line:90% Your famous parties. 00:02:18.010 --> 00:02:21.490 align:middle line:90% Your celebrated icebox cake. 00:02:21.490 --> 00:02:24.640 align:middle line:84% Your giggle above the red petticoat's rustle. 00:02:24.640 --> 00:02:27.550 align:middle line:84% Black girl and white girl walking hand in hand 00:02:27.550 --> 00:02:30.490 align:middle line:84% down the railroad tracks in Kansas City. 00:02:30.490 --> 00:02:32.470 align:middle line:90% Six years old. 00:02:32.470 --> 00:02:34.630 align:middle line:84% The man who advised you now that you 00:02:34.630 --> 00:02:39.430 align:middle line:84% were famous to begin eliminating your more common acquaintances, 00:02:39.430 --> 00:02:43.000 align:middle line:84% and your reply catching him square in the eye. 00:02:43.000 --> 00:02:44.750 align:middle line:90% That's a good idea. 00:02:44.750 --> 00:02:47.620 align:middle line:84% I'll begin right now by eliminating you." 00:02:47.620 --> 00:02:49.420 align:middle line:90% [LAUGHTER] 00:02:49.420 --> 00:02:51.190 align:middle line:90% "Is she or isn't she? 00:02:51.190 --> 00:02:52.960 align:middle line:84% Three million dishes, a truckload 00:02:52.960 --> 00:02:56.530 align:middle line:84% of aprons and headrags later, and here you are, 00:02:56.530 --> 00:03:00.220 align:middle line:84% poised between husbands and factions. 00:03:00.220 --> 00:03:03.670 align:middle line:84% No corset wide enough to hold you in. 00:03:03.670 --> 00:03:07.000 align:middle line:84% Your huge face, a dark moon split 00:03:07.000 --> 00:03:09.670 align:middle line:90% by that spontaneous smile-- 00:03:09.670 --> 00:03:13.120 align:middle line:90% your trademark, your curse. 00:03:13.120 --> 00:03:14.830 align:middle line:90% No matter, Hattie. 00:03:14.830 --> 00:03:19.840 align:middle line:84% It's a long, beautiful walk into that flower-smothered standing 00:03:19.840 --> 00:03:21.100 align:middle line:90% ovation. 00:03:21.100 --> 00:03:24.690 align:middle line:90% So go on, and make them wait."