growth.
Maria Howell: That’s a given…well, you know what, let me back
that up. Everybody does not grow. I take that for granted. I have
grown leaps and bounds. The growth for me from where I see
it is that I have grown to be more comfortable in my own skin.
I’m able to say yes, and more importantly say no to things I don’t
want to force myself into. The outside indication is when I get to
a show, and people say I used to come and hear you 25 years
ago. First I think, Oh god, how old am I (laughing)? Second thing
I’m thinking is thank you so much, because this one lady said I
was good, but she has seen my growth and I have come into my
own. That’s someone who’s been watching me over 20 years.
For her to say it, it’s got to have some truth to it. I’m most pr oud
of being comfortable in my own skin. Even though I’m still growing, I’m more comfortable, I’m more relaxed and more solid in
saying this is me. This is who I am.
U.G. Digital Mag: That has a lot to do with why you get the roles
you do. You started in The Color Purple obviously, and it was a
small role, but look at how you’ve grown, and the quality of the
roles you play now. You’re someone like Ruth Jennings, who will
relate to so many people.
Maria Howell: …and also has something to say that really matters.
There’s a scene in Sons 2 The Grave where she is talking to a
crowd of people, and I like that scene a lot. It’s pretty cool for
me. When I was a kid, I always wanted to have something to say
in life, something to impart on people that was positive. I really
felt that in that particular scene. God is really amazing. It’s great
when you can think of things and they later come to fruition.
Most times, I know things are good when I’m in it.
U.G. Digital Mag: That’s the best feeling in the world, to dream up
something, and later in life, you see it happen.
Maria Howell: I think the key to that is being true to yourself. Just
because everyone thinks I work all the time, it’s not like that. I get
turned down sometimes, and I say no to things.
U.G. Digital Mag: That’s the good thing with you though.
Maria Howell: I ain’t got time to be turning things down, but I do
turn some things down if it does not fit my fabric.
different, or whatever. She stood for that, and people respected
her on her job. Her son respected her. People in the community
respected her because they knew she was solid and consistent.
That resonated with me in my life.
U.G. Digital Mag: That makes me want to see the film even more.
Maria Howell: She was a solid person in that movie. Her son had
that to look up to. He had that as his gauge, and she had something to say. People respected her. That was another big part of
that role for me.
U.G. Digital Mag: In terms of final thoughts and words of encouragement, what would you like to get out there?
Maria Howell: First and foremost, I want to give kudos and shout
outs to the creative people behind the scenes. There’s no way
we can do what we do if we don’t have the writers providing
good material. There’s so many different parts of the puzzle, and
I appreciate all the different pieces. I make sure when I’m on the
set, I thank that camera man. I thank the writers, and other actors.
It’s all a team effort and we’re telling a story. It’s all art so I like,
from an actor’s standpoint, to tell those creative people thank
you. I thank the people who come and support, because life is
short, and we’ve lost so many people in the past six months that
it’s like oh my god, please don’t tell me about someone else.
This is a way in life for me personally to have something as hope;
something as inspiration. I’m a little idealistic, so any way I can
make it through and have something to take me out of that everyday reality, it’s thought-provoking. That’s what art is supposed
to be. I thank all the people involved and the viewers, because
it’s not simple and easy. Some of us are in it to be stars, but a lot
of us are not. We’re just in here trying to do what we love. That’s
a thought that’s on my mind these days. Art! Just let’s make it
happen, let’s move it forward, and let’s get better and better. I encourage all people who have stories to tell to write. Don’t wait for
anyone to write for you. Write! Move forward and keep it moving.
To stay up to date with the film, visit their social media at:
Twitter: @Sons2TheGrave
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sons-2-The-Grave-TheMovie-736692043080737/ +
U.G. Digital Mag: That’s one of the biggest things I’ve learned in
myself. As much as I wanted UGD to flourish, and me wanting
to talk to so many people, I still have to say no sometimes. I had
an overall standard for the magazine that I was going for, and I
see how often the media is portrayed, and how we often portray
ourselves as black media. I think we often want the respect, but
don’t present ourselves in the manner to get that respect, or we
don’t hold ourselves in that same light we want to be seen in.
Maria Howell: There’s a cliche that said if you don’t stand for
something, you’ll fall for anything. That’s true, and you’re doing
the same thing. You have a desire in your gut and you intuition
and integrity. That’s your code. That’s your standard. I applaud
people who at least have one.
U.G. Digital Mag: It’s difficult sometimes though. Sometimes, I’ve
turned someone down, and then think about it later.
Maria Howell: You have to turn them down sometimes though.
Something you said makes me go back to Ruth Jennings. She
stood for what she believed in whether it was right, wrong, in-
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