LETTERS TO L.A. LIFE : DROP HYPHEN NONSENSE - IT ONLY DIVIDES AMERICANS.Recently a review of Donald Bogle's book ``Dorothy Dandridge Dorothy Jean Dandridge (November 9, 1922–September 8, 1965) was an American actress. She was the first African American to be nominated for an Academy Award in the Best Actress category and the third Black American to receive a nomination in any Oscar category overall (after : A Biography'' appeared in your paper. In the review, by Renee Graham, it is made very clear that Dorothy Dandridge was really opposed to stereotyping of black actresses, yet that is exactly what someone, either the reviewer or the author, does labeling her an ``African-American.'' If someone had called Dorothy Dandridge that to her face, she probably would have laughed at them. But, in this brief review of the book, black women are referred to as ``African-American'' no fewer than seven times. It just ain't so, brother. As Whoopi Goldberg Whoopi Goldberg (born November 13, 1955) is an American actress, comedian, radio presenter, and author. Goldberg is one of only ten individuals who have won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony Award, counting Daytime Emmy Awards. said, ``I've been to Africa, I know better.'' Maybe some of the people who write for newspapers and magazines and sit in front of television cameras should travel to Africa and see for themselves. If my saying so doesn't convince you, then perhaps you should take the time to read a brief article in the October issue of Reader's Digest Reader's Digest U.S.-based monthly magazine. Founded by DeWitt and Lila Wallace, it was first published in 1922 as a digest of articles of topical interest and entertainment value condensed from other periodicals. entitled ``He's Not a Hyphenated American 1. An American who is referred to by a hyphenated term with the first word indicating an origin in a foreign country, and the second term being "American", as It's time It's Time was a successful political campaign run by the Australian Labor Party (ALP) under Gough Whitlam at the 1972 election in Australia. Campaigning on the perceived need for change after 23 years of conservative (Liberal Party of Australia) government, Labor put forward a to stop this nonsense. There is no such thing as the hyphenated American, except for those who would drive us apart. As for the comments about Dorothy Dandridge's life, it seems that this book is laying a lot of the blame for her unhappiness, drugs and death at Hollywood's door. I think that's pretty typical of writers, but not necessarily true. A father who abandoned her and her sisters, a bisexual mother who forced her children into working in the entertainment business, a husband who cheated on her and a child born brain-damaged and placed in an institution had a lot more to do with her unhappiness than ``Hollywood's'' refusal to let her play the part of Julie in the film ``Show Boat.'' One last thing: If you insist on hyphenating people by their ethnic origins, tell me how you do it with Maria de la Soledad O'Brien, who hosts the MSNBC MSNBC Microsoft/National Broadcasting Company technology show and who is of Irish, Australian and black Cuban descent. Or my son, who is of German, Irish and American Indian ancestry. Gets pretty clumsy doesn't it - and pretty stupid too. Seems to me the best solution to all this nonsense is just plain American! - Ron Honthaner Studio City Silverstone's war analogy insulting to Vietnam vets May we all see the day when would-be actresses simply stick to what's written in the script and not mouth off extemporaneously ex·tem·po·ra·ne·ous adj. 1. Carried out or performed with little or no preparation; impromptu: an extemporaneous piano recital. 2. trying to prove they have a brain. Brain and actress too often equal oxymoron. Star-teenybopper Alicia Silverstone's analogy of producing her movie to ``being in Vietnam'' is insulting to those who served and were injured or killed in that country and to the parents of those who served. ``You have so many things to do, so much to accomplish'' can hardly be compared to war, Miss Silverstone. Perhaps you'd be willing to take full-page national ad from your producer's earnings and apologize for your mouthy mouth·y adj. mouth·i·er, mouth·i·est 1. Annoyingly talkative. 2. Given to ranting or bombast. mouth faux pas as well as donate your film's earnings to American veteran hospitals. - Paul Vaughn Van Nuys |
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