Fredericka Washington, better known as Fredi, was a light-skinned Black actress who knew of racial “passing” all too well – and navigated it in a powerful way.
Washington landed her big Hollywood break in 1934 when she starred in the box-office hit “Imitation of Life.”
In the film, she played the role of a Black woman who intentionally passed as a white. In her real life however, things were the complete opposite.
Washington was proud to be Black, and after the film’s release she spoke out about racial passing in Hollywood. Unhappy with the restrictions she had to work under as an anti-Black film actress, she pursued a new mission.
Washington joined the staff of Adam Clayton Powell Jr.’s Harlem newspaper, The People’s Voice, where she wrote powerful critiques of how the media promoted racism and sexism and amplified films and work that challenged racist stereotypes. She was also an active member of the NAACP and the National Urban League.
Washington was unafraid and unapologetic about speaking out against racism. She used her voice to advocate for change – exemplifying how all of us, no matter what our role or position is, have the choice to do the same. How we move is up to us.