I want to introduce you to a very remarkable woman. Her name is Hazel Scott. Hazel was born on June 11, 1920 and died on October 2, 1981. I never heard of Ms. Scott until two nights ago. They don’t teach you about people like Hazel in American schools.
I was listening to a YouTube video featuring the pianist Dorothy Donegan. Hazel Scott popped up as someone else I might be interested in listening to. I listened to several of her videos which featured her playing both jazz and classical piano. She also accompanied some pieces with her beautiful voice. She is one of the most amazing piano players I have ever heard or not heard of. I soon found out that Hazel was much more than just a fantastic musician.
Curious as to her background, I got on my computer and found a Wikipedia which gave some of the details of her life. (See Hazel Scott)
Hazel was a singer, pianist, and actor. She was the first Black American to host her own TV show in 1950. However, I am sure that if Hazel were still alive today and writing her eulogy, she would say “Don’t tell them, I was a singer and pianist. Don’t tell them I was a Hollywood Actress. Tell them I fought for the rights of Black Americans. Tell them I refused privileges denied to my people. Tell them I refused to play in segregated venues. Tell them I refused to take roles that denigrated Black Americans. Tell them I refused costumes that stereotyped Black people. Tell them I used my money to bring lawsuits to challenge racial discrimination.”
In 1950, Hazel found out that she was on the suspicious list of the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC). A group that was on a notorious witch hunt against communists. Whenever, I hear of this HUAC, I think of the birthday party in Alice in Wonderland.
`I mean, what IS an un-birthday present?’
`A present given when it isn’t your birthday, of course.’
Alice considered a little. `I like birthday presents best,’ she said at last.
`You don’t know what you’re talking about!’ cried Humpty Dumpty. `How many days are there in a year?’
`Three hundred and sixty-five,’ said Alice.
`And how many birthdays have you?’
`One.’
`And if you take one from three hundred and sixty-five, what remains?’
`Three hundred and sixty-four, of course.’
Humpty Dumpty looked doubtful. `I’d rather see that done on paper,’ he said.
Alice couldn’t help smiling as she took out her memorandum-book, and worked the sum for him:
`To be sure I was!’ Humpty Dumpty said gaily, as she turned it round for him. `I thought it looked a little queer. As I was saying, that SEEMS to be done right–though I haven’t time to look it over thoroughly just now–and that shows that there are three hundred and sixty-four days when you might get un-birthday presents–‘
`Certainly,’ said Alice.
Do you see? If everyday is a possible un-birthday except your birthday, you may celebrate an un-birthday every day and get presents every day in addition to your birthday. Anything that is not “American” which I will assume includes: Mom, God, and Apple Pie, can be construed as “Un-American.” If you are out to condemn or harass people, it becomes an open-ended warrant to attack anyone who exhibits traits other than a belief in Mom, God, and Apple Pie. You have a 365-day open house to attack anyone in the USA who exhibits a philosophy contrary to what might be termed “Patriotic.” I find this rather scary since I don’ believe in God. I don’t like apple pie and I thought my mother’s cooking was terrible. My list of “Un-American” traits would take up several pages but I suppose I would be condemned simply on the basis of rejecting these wonderful characteristics of Americanism. By the way, I don’t like baseball, golf, football, basketball, or bowling.
Let us get back to Ms. Scott. She voluntarily appeared before the HUAC and defended her friends who were being targeted. She denied having anything to do with communism but defended socialism. She stood up proudly and defiantly in front of a group of fascists intending to end her career. And that is exactly what they did. One week after she appeared in front of the HUAC, her TV show was dropped from the network. She was as they like to say today “Cancelled” by this group of so-called patriots.
These hypocrites who would label anyone who believed in social inequality as “Un-American” but never identified the KKK as Un-American. These patriots would probably include the KKK with Mom, God, and Apple Pie and therefore call their activities American. Nothing Un-American about prejudice, lynchings, racism, discrimination, and attacks on minorities.
I put on some more of Hazel’s piano videos. Mesmerized by her flashing hands and her joyous way of playing the piano, I thought of the White racists in America who feel that they are superior to Black people. In my mind, I contrasted Hazel with a White Supremacist.
Hazel: Talented pianist
White Supremacist: Can drink lots of light beer
Despite billions spent on diversity and inclusion, new research from the Center for Talent Innovation finds that black professionals face prejudice, a lack of support from managers, and a cycle of exclusion that keeps them from the C-suite – New Study Takes an Unprecedented Look at Being Black in Corporate America
Hazel: Concerned for others. Fights for the rights of others
White Supremacist: Hatred for others who are different
Who ever walked behind anyone to freedom? If we can’t go hand in hand, I don’t want to go. — Hazel Scott
Hazel: Beautiful, elegant, aristocratic, cultured
White Supremacist: Tattoos, beer belly, swastikas
Hazel Scott on the cover of ‘Round Midnight.
Hazel: Brave, Courageous, stands up for what she believes
White Supremacist: Hides behind white sheets and a pointed white mask
Hazel: Juilliard School of Music
White Supremacist: Probably dropped out of high school
Hazel: Multi-lingual
White Supremacist: Hardly speaks good English
Is there an irony here or am I missing something? The race hating, immigrant hating, neo-Nazis with little culture or education espouses a doctrine of White Supremacy because he/she thinks that they are superior to Ms. Hazel Scott. I must be living in Wonderland.
Aging Capriciously 