7. One of Hattie’s most infamous quotes is “I’d rather play a maid for $700...

[smkelly]

One of Hattie’s most infamous quotes is “I’d rather play a maid for $700 than be a maid for $7.”

Her critics felt that was self-serving and she was enriching herself at the expense of her race. What are your thoughts on that?

[Badhaircutgirl]

I cannot express enough, nor could she, that she took the roles she did to better her life. Although I understand, as much as I can, why people criticized her, as they did not find it fitting for their life. She has every right to say this, and it was powerful for her. She also made it clear throughout her life that she has all the respect for people that do domestic work, but she felt she had worked too hard to go back to that.

[June]

Hattie wanted to work and certainly earned the Oscar - I am glad she decided to will it to Howard University.

[LML47]

I loved this quote! I can relate to having unequal, forced choices. She made the choice within the context of options that were so limitted and so unfair. I respect that she was a survivor of an ugly time period

[Bbaker12jo]

This is such a powerful quote! When change is needed we most do what we can to help make that change. She may not have been able to do much. But she could be a powerful woman in her field. Why should she turn down the only roles she was given to satisfy others ideas? She knew no change would come from that. And she did well for herself!