FREDI WASHINGTON
Although Fredi Washington was a very beautiful and talented woman with light green eyes, she was actually a African American. This fact often made her a victim of rejection by both black and white film fans alike. Because she was a stunning mixture of talent and beauty, studio heads in Hollywood urged her to pass for white; and if she did so they promised her they would make her a bigger star than
Norma Shearer,
Joan Crawford,
Constance Bennett and
Greta Garbo. Fredi refused to the detriment of her career, but she never wavered.. Her best-known role was as Peola a black woman fighting to pass for white in the film
Imitation of Life released in 1934 and her performance so convincing, people believed that she wanted nothing more than to "pass" in real life. Nothing could be further from the truth, in fact she was the complete opposite of the "Peola" character though she could never "shake" being compared with the character constantly throughout her acting career.
In real life she was a strong advocate for civil rights and was the president of the Black actors guild for many years. Although she never reached the level of stardom of some of her contemporaries of the time; Ethel Waters and Jospehine Baker reached, Fredi demonstrated great courage by choosing to be herself on and off the screen despite the outside pressure and/or accusation of trying to be someone else to gain acceptance and more success. In this day and time she serves as an example that to be proud of who you are no matter what race despite what others think or believe and to hold your head high always in the process NEVER ashamed.
As my Div'icon for the month of June, Fredi, I salute you, and I thank you for reminding me that a price tag can never be placed on the value of who you really are!
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