Popular Culture Review Vol. 14, No. 1, February 2003 | Page 86
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Popular Culture Review
at the film’s subtle insinuation that: (a) interracial marriage is inconceivable; (b)
that competent and educated blacks who expressed their indignities to southern
hostilities gave the impression that protesting blacks did not want to live among
their own (especially if light in complexion); and (c) that any black achieving
stature as a human being should not be perceived as to attempting to “get out of his
place.” Black press reviewer Rob Roy intentionally avoided discussion of many of
the black characters in the film because he regarded the portrayals as degrading,
explaining: “I want you to discover them yourselves.”
That the black characters in the film were attempting to internally resolve
their stereotypical representations is evident when Waters, exhibiting “doglike
devotion” and referred to as “an out-and-out Dixie mammy” spurned the approaches
of one white columnist employed by a black magazine. (Actress Ethel Waters re
portedly declared that the columnist “was not welcome to scribble about handker
chief head roles and misquote her.”) While Waters’ role disturbed some African
American spectators, it was the fact that “she did not win an award for her support
ing role in Pinky" that added insult to injury. As for Nina Mae McKinney (who
plays the role of Rozelia), she was referred to by Ebony magazine as a “razortoting hussy,” prompting her to reportedly sue the magazine for some $700,000 for
its insulting characterization. Those such as Frederick O’ Neal (who plays the role
of Jake) continued to yearn for a significant and leading ro