Her Reality Check
Cicely Tyson is on a DVD binge. Because of Winn-Dixie, the warm-hearted family film in which she plays a peanut-butter-loving eccentric, is just out, on the heels of Diary of a Mad Black Woman and the classic Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, about a woman born into slavery. Tyson, a onetime model who turned to acting in the 1950s, is currently filming a sequel to Mad Black Woman .
In Winn-Dixie, you work with child actors and a dog. Was that hard?
I had my moments when the dog didn't want to let go of my peanut butter sandwich or he'd not follow his directions. As far as the children, they were wonderful.
How do black actors fare in Hollywood?
We have an incredible list of African-American men who are doing extraordinary work and are for the most part compensated commensurate with their ability. I mean, there are so many . . . Denzel Washington, Jamie Foxx. And I can count the number of women who are in that category and not use all the fingers on one hand.
Why is that so?
I cannot give you a viable reason. It seems preposterous because it isn't that we are not available.
Is it racism?
Look what happened to Oprah--the Hermes incident. I mean, come on, when does it stop? I've had it over and over and over again. Four or five years ago, I was going to the Carlyle Hotel in New York for an interview. I was scheduled to do a shoot immediately after. I took my garment bag and walked up to the coat check, and I extended my bag and was about to say, "Would you please . . ." and she said, "We don't take deliveries here. You have to take it around back." No matter who you are nor what you have accomplished nor how much money you have, the first thing that some--and I don't say all because it's too general--people see is the color of your skin, and they judge you accordingly.
What did you say to the coat checker?
I think when that happens I have a responsibility to educate an individual. When I was able to calm myself, I began to address the situation. I never raised my voice. But she was in tears by the time I left.
This story appears in the August 29, 2005 print edition of U.S. News & World Report.