Articles Posted by Malon Murphy

Bessie Smith: The Bisexual Empress of Blues

by on February 26, 2020 0

The crowned “Empress of the Blues” was a bisexual Black woman who once chased off the KKK from one of her performances. Her name was Bessie Smith, and her wide catalog of musical feats earned her a spot in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame—inspiring the likes of Billie Holiday, Aretha Franklin, and Janis […]

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The Diverse Female Firsts Who Made Oscar History

by on February 10, 2020 0

“Parasite” made history at the 92nd Academy Awards, after becoming the first foreign language film to win best picture. The South Korean film also picked up awards for best director, best international feature film, and best original screenplay. This was a historic night for both Asian and international cinema, and for the Academy—which is continually […]

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Hattie McDaniel: America’s First Black Oscar Winner

by on February 7, 2020 0

Hattie McDaniel was the first Black actor to win an Oscar for her supporting role as “Mammy” in Gone With The Wind. Though McDaniel faced much criticism for her portrayal of the stereotypical character, her performance and subsequent Oscar win undoubtedly pushed the needle of equality forward for the Black community. This Black History Month, we honor Hattie McDaniel, and remember that in the fight for a more diverse and representative world, we should never forget those who paved the way.

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Juneteenth: The Long Road To Liberation

by on June 18, 2019 0

On June 19th, 1865 Union General Gordon Granger paraded approximately 1,800 federal troops to Galveston, Texas to deliver a long overdue message—“The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free…” The message marked the end of an era. After 246 years, […]

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