Speaking as a mixed-race woman, there aren't many historical stories about people like me.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
I was moved by the 'Lovings' story because of my own background as a mixed-race person.
My mixed-race background made me a broad person, able to relate to different cultures. But any woman of colour, even a mixed colour, is seen as black in America. So that's how I regard myself.
Stories about race and identity pique my interest for obvious reasons. That's in my body, my brain, my history, my memories - it's all part of my toolbox as an actor.
I don't think there's enough breadth to the stories told about African-Americans.
Not unlike our country's history, my personal history was founded upon an unfortunate history of racial conflict between black and white.
I do consider myself part of black history.
If you write nonfiction, a historical account of what really happened, first of all, it's always white men who do that, and you don't have the voices that are really interesting to me, of the people who are not sheltered by the big umbrella of the establishment.
For film, I think because it's more detailed, and especially with historical material, you really have to find the right projects. Speaking as a mixed-race woman, there aren't many historical stories about people like me. When people think of 'dual heritage,' they think it's a modern concept, but really it's not.
Both European and American historians have done away with any conceptual limits on what in the past needs and deserves investigating. The result, among other things, has been a flood of works on gender history, black history, and ethnic history of all kinds.
But it's a very universal story and the thing is I was reluctant to answer that question because I don't want people latching on to a particular stereotype.