Saturday
Dec272008
Eartha Kitt Dies on Christmas Day
Saturday, December 27, 2008 at 1:26PM The Blogmother
Eartha Kitt died on Christmas Day
Eartha Kitt, who rose from the Southern cotton fields to captivate audiences around the world with sultry performances as a singer, dancer and actress, died on Thursday at the age of 81.Kitt died of colon cancer for which she was recently treated at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York, said Andrew Freedman, a long-time friend and publicist.The cancer was detected about two years ago and treated but recurred after a period of remission."She came back strongly. She had been performing until two months ago," Freedman told Reuters by telephone from Los Angles. "We had dates booked through 2009."Slinky, sensuous and cat-like, Kitt described herself as a "sex kitten" and used her seductive purr to charm audiences across the world. Reuters
ABC.com
But the obits also took note of her involvement in political controversy. Most famous, or infamous, was the tongue-lashing she delivered to President Lyndon Johnson's wife, Lady Bird, at a White House luncheon in 1968. The topic was the then-raging Vietnam War. Kitt, according to some accounts, caused the first lady to cry when she said, "You send the best of the country off to be shot and maimed. No wonder the kids rebel and take pot."
Kitt paid a steep price for her caustic remarks. She lost bookings and had to rely on her popularity in Europe to find work. Her time in purgatory ended when President Jimmy Carter extended an invitation to the White House in 1978.
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Reader Comments (13)
Habari Gani? Kujichagulia!
I didn't know about her run-in with Lady Bird Johnson. Thank you for sharing that tidbit. It does explain why she always seemed to be more loved outside of America than inside of it...
Harambee! Wayne
Now you know you can't make Ms. Becky cry. Your done for if you do. LOL!
Yes, I thought that was an interesting article as well.. The silver tongue.. oh how it does strikes when used correctly.... shine on Eartha!
I am so sorry to hear about Ms. Kitt passing away. Even though I always hated the name growing up, I always had much respect for her because I was named after her. She was one of my grandmothers favorite actresses.
Well, that's what we mean what a strong Black woman is! Unfortunately our strength and courage is a double edged sword. Damned if you do, damned if you don't!
But who cares! We have to be who we are! In the end it ALWAYS pays off. Especially for our sould and heart.
She was phenonimal! One of the few celebrities I've actually cried for at their deaths. And who I sincerely found inspirational for African-American Black girls.
May she rest in peace and many, many thanks.
Bye, Eartha, you Diva, goddess, you!
Violet
How many black entertainers, male or female, would be willing to put their career on the line to speak truth to power the way she did to Lady Bird Johnson and her friends at the White House?
She got my respect not for her purring or nice legs, but because she stood up to power.
I didn't put up the part about the heat she took when she traveled to South Africa frequently during apartheid. She thought the way to fight the government there was to continue to go, clearly others disagreed. She caught lots of heat.
Can you imagine Beyonce or Britney doing something like that today?
I was a big Eartha Kitt fan. Here's a photo I found of her with her daughter and granddaughter.
http://www.bittenandbound.com/2008/12/25/eartha-kitt-dead-1927-2008-photos-santa-baby-video/eartha-kitt-with-daughter-kitt-shapiro-and-granddaughter-rachel/
People like her, who endured so much, are all class, grace, and grit. Nothing like her exists in any of these empty headed, illiterate, stupid, and spoiled "entertainers" today. Shame.
May she rest in peace.
I first saw her as Cat Woman in the Batman TV series reruns.
Imagine TV or movies allowing a black woman being shown as beguiling and enchanting as Eartha Kitt today? Not happening. They wont even let any TV show have a black woman be the lead. Whatever progress there was has evaporated.
Betty Chambers said: "Whatever progress there was has evaporated"
People don't get that. They don't grasp the concept that we're actually going backwards. That barriers that were demolished are being rebuilt and we don't notice the bars because they are made out of Gold. Yes, Black folks are making LOOT in the entertainment industry, but they are making loot for playing a role dictated by someone else. Progress isn't measured by bank balances.
All entertainers aren't empty headed, spoiled or illiterate, but those that aren't are liekly to be relegated to obscurity.
R.I.P. to a true diva.
Black female performers, no matter if they were dancers, singers, actresses, all three, or comedians, have given so much to American entertainment, and the American entertainment industry repays it by constantly spitting in her face. Shame on them!
Thanks! So much Mama K, for being such a POWERFUL!!! force in my life for the past 39 years!!! I have CRIED!!! over you for the last two and a half weeks! every since your PASSING!!!
You will never truly know the IMPACT AND MAGNITUDE!!! YOU! have had on ME! MY! Only regret is that, I NEVER!!! got the Chance to say "I LOVE YOU!!!"
AND "I MISS U DEARLY!!!" YOU HOLD A SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART FOREVER!!! GOD BLESS YOU!!! MAY YOU REST IN THE ARMS OF THE ANGELS!!!