Hazel Scott was an African American jazz pianist and singer. She was known as the first African American women to host a television show that was her own. She performed in many different countries and was able to have an impact on how African American women were looked in a Hollywood context.
She stood up to the House Un-American Activities Committee along with the Hollywood studio machine. She refused to play roles that were normally played by African American women, like a maid and she refused to play the piano and sing while other African American women were dancing in the background. She was the reason they were able to wear normal outfits. Her voice was heard by the people around her and she fought for what she believed was right. She had it in her contract that she would only play a role that was herself, which she was in about five films.
When she performed music, she refused to play in segregated concert halls and set the standard for what other African American performer should do. She performed in many famous places like Carnegie Hall and other places all around. She made sure she was being treated fair and equal.
Something that I found interesting was Scott was doing these things at such a young age. She was playing at Carnegie hall at the age of 20 and she had been playing piano since she was only three years old. She was able to accomplish so much with her talent.
She was able to have an impact in the music and entertainment industry for both herself and other African American performers. With her actions, she showed those around her to not settle if it is not equal.
sources:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2022/04/24/hazel-scott-jim-crow/
https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/hazel-scott
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_WJ4PpxWaE
https://www.wrti.org/arts-desk/2021-02-05/looking-back-at-the-extraordinary-life-of-hazel-scott
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