Dorothy DandridgeThough Dorothy Dandridge effectively integrated the top nightclub and hotel venues in which she performed, she was not allowed to mingle with her adoring, white audiences or even to book a room as a guest. All blacks, from kitchen maids to movie stars, faced systemic racism.
In one remarkable incident, an exclusive hotel casino in Las Vegas, where Dandridge was the featured entertainer, drained its swimming pool when she merely hinted at taking a dip.
[Despite the depth of Dandridge's identification with the black community, she was often criticized by black tabloids for her failure to find a 'Negro' lover and for her alleged detachment from black causes.]
Dandridge, Dorothy (1922-1965) African-American actress [noted for her stint on the chitlin' circuit, and for her roles in such
films as
Carmen Jones (1954, Oscar nomination)]
[Sources: Donald Bogle, Dorothy Dandridge: A Biography]More Dorothy Dandridge anecdotesRelated Anecdote Keywords:
Race Racism Blacks Discrimination Swimming Pools Extreme Measures Precautions
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