The Essence Article – Sanaa, Gabrielle and Nia

The December 2007 issue of Essence magazine features an article highlighting popular black actresses Sanaa Lathan, Nia Long and Gabrielle Union.  This article was timely as I was just planning posts on these three.  I expect to start soon with Sanaa Lathan.
    
In the article, the women talk about various things.  In particular, they chime in on the problems they face in Hollywood as it relates to them getting work and securing good roles and equal pay.  I wanted to highlight some of their quotes from the article. 
    
Really, today’s Hollywood black actress -- their current state –- in 2007, almost 2008 -– is AN ABOMINATION; an atrocity of monumental significance.
    
Their story has been told before.  Many times.
    
The whole racism thing in Hollywood is well documented in books, papers, blogs, newspapers, magazines, radio interviews and other forms of media.  This has been lamented over for decades. 
    
There is no possibility that this injustice will disappear from the public eye as it is repeated reported so often.  These three women have legitimate complaints.  I’m sure alone, in their private time, in the sanctity of their solitude, they probably feel great pain.  They have the right to feel the way they do.  And, really, their plight can’t be repeated enough.  Hollywood is so unfair and cruel to them… and other black actresses.  So very cruel.
    
I look forward to perusing the articles that outline the steps we (Black Americans) are taking to remedy the intolerance we face in the industry.  Maybe I’m missing those articles.  And I mean bigger steps than the presence of Spike Lee and John Singleton or our recent Oscar winners.  Of course, these are big steps.  But there are many more steps to take if we hope for fairness and justice.
    
When will our dialog focus on viable solutions to this… or have we accepted that this will be the state of affairs forever? 
    
On working in Hollywood
    
Sanaa Lathan
“… it’s the first time that I’ll be able to do some real accent work.”
    
When I read this, I felt sad.  I’m glad Sanaa Lathan is finally being given this opportunity… an opportunity she has obviously hoped for.
    
Nia Long states that… even though she had been in the business for ten years, her paycheck didn’t reflect that.  Nor did her lifestyle.  And she doesn’t feel she was justly rewarded (monetarily) for all the movies she did in that ten years.
    
I know.
    
“[Being] Black women in Hollywood…   It is just the burden that we have to bear,” quips Long.
    
Yes; it is.  I wonder, for how long.
    
Gabrielle Union
“I could make a living doing Black urban romantic comedies for the rest of my life…. But am I growing as an artist?”
    
Chile, you ain’t neva lied.  I’m so glad she is questioning this!  The answer is no.  The answer is noooooooooooooooooooo.
    
Union states, “Unfortunately, we don’t always have the luxury of choosing what is best for us or even what we are best suited for.”
    
So how is this reality going to be created?
    
The following is a bit off topic on the blog but I had to throw it in.
    
On Gossip
    
Gabrielle Union
“… they’ll complain on the blogs that we don’t have enough black stars.  Well, you rip us to shreds every two seconds from our nose to the weave to the clothes to the shoes to the ashy ankles.”
    
Y’all, I fell out when I read this.  :)  LMMFAO.
    
Nia Long
"Listen, if I didn’t have to go to work and deal with getting my hair and makeup done by a white crew… I wouldn’t have a weave.  If I felt like I could go in there, and they could take care of my natural hair-but they don’t know how to.”
    
Poor Nia.  Really?  Ah, Nia… I weep for you.  *** Sniff. Sniff ***
    
Sanaa Lathan
on when her hair was lookin' a hot mess cornrowed hairstyle was frizzy… and what the papps did.
    
“... but you know how with cornrows they get frizzy.  So, … me and Gab went out one night and [the bloggers] tore me to shreds. “
    
ha ha ha ha ha ha.  ROTFLMMFAO.  :)
    
(Girl, you know you can't get away with that!  Frizzy cornrows are always unforgivable, movie star or not.  We only let this slide on kids).    

Photo Credit:  Matthew Jordan Smith and Essence Magazine

Comments

[Kimi]

I have the magazine but haven't read the article yet, will return to comment further when I do. But had to throw in a friend who read it told me they stated the only female leading lady on tv these days is ... New York from I Love New York???!!! How said is THAT!

I think these are all great, underrated actresses who are probably fighting each other for the same 2 AA roles Hollyweird allows each year.

Unfortunately, we are not running Hollywood so who knows if things will ever change.

[theblackactor.com]

@ Kimi

Yes. That was kinda funny :); that thing about New York being the only AA woman with her own show. I'd never thought of that. Lawd. Lawd. Lawd. Who knows, Kimi. It's sad.

[aulelia]

The only annoying thing abt living in England is waiting for the mags with exclusives like this to come ashore!! sounds like a great read.

I think out of the 3, Nia Long is the most interesting and captivating actress. Regina King could have gone far too.

[theblackactor.com]

@ Aulelia

Awwwwhh. This article may be online on Essence's website. I'm not sure about that. If you're really interested in it, send me an e-mail and I'll PDF it to you.

I think I agree with you but before I say for sure, I need to watch all their work more closely.

[aulelia]

@TheBlackActor.com -- thanks for the offer! I think the ''new'' (by UK terms LOL) issue of Essence has hit the newsagents so i will go and have a look.

[Nikki]

I know that this is about Black Actresses and I definitely agree that Black Actresses don't get a chance to shine as much as White ones .

I have a friend who is Asian American and she said that at least they GET roles. I would have to agree I mean how many Asian AMERICAN actresses do we know besides Lucy Lui? I think that Women of Color in general have a hard time in Hollywood. I mean look at Keira Knightly and Paramindar( SP?) both had their breakthrough in Bend it Like Beckham and look at the two of them today. I mean ER is not a bad stint , but still.

So in terms of Women of Color I do think that Black women have it slightly better than Asian AMERICAN Women.

[theblackactor.com]

@ Nikki

Oh, definitely, without a doubt -- black actresses definitely have it better than Asian actors and actresses. They're pretty much invisible in American cinema.