Prot-a-gonist * I dream of a world where diversity is celebrated | Anna May Wong, 1905-1961
Anna May Wong in a garden, 1937
“I’m Anna May Wong. I come from old Hong Kong. But now I’m a Hollywood star.”
“I was always made to feel I was half Chinese and half American, but I am not half anything, I am all one.”
“I was so tired of the parts I had to play. Why is it that the screen Chinese is nearly always the villain of the piece, and so cruel a villain–murderous, treacherous, a snake in the grass. We are not like that. How should we be, with a civilization that’s so many times older than that of the West. We have our own virtues. We have our rigid code of behavior, of honor. Why do they never show these on the screen? Why should we always scheme, rob, kill? “
Anna May Wong, 1929
” I want to break the barriers of racial prejudice and create a world where every dream can come true, regardless of race.”
” I may have faced countless setbacks, but I will never allow them to define my worth or limit my potential.”
Anna May Wong, 1925
Anna May Wong, The Thief Of Bagdad (Raoul Walsh, 1924)
“Every time your picture is taken, you lose a part of your soul.”
“I dream of a world where diversity is celebrated, and everyone has an equal chance to succeed.”
In 1922, at the age of 17, Wong starred in the silent film “The Toll of the Sea,” which is considered the first color feature film. This groundbreaking role showcased Wong’s talent and distinctive beauty while paving the way for more Asian actors in significant roles.
Anna May Wong, Limehouse Blues, 1934
The Shanghai Gesture, 1932
Marlene Dietrich and Anna May Wong in a promo picture for “Shanghai Express” (1932)
“Anna May Wong and my mother became chummy. Between takes, they talked, not rehearsing their scenes, just soft conversation, smoked, sipped cool coffee through their straws. My mother fussed over Miss Wong’s square bangs and had Travis redesign one of her kimonos so it would be more flattering. She liked Miss Wong much better than her leading man.”
From Marlene Dietrich by Maria Riva, 1992
Anna May Wong, photographed by Man Ray, 1930
“When I die, my epitaph should be: I died a thousand deaths. That was the story of my film career. Most of the time I played in mystery and intrigue stories. They didn’t know what to do with me at the end, so they killed me off.”
Anna May Wong, 1905-1961
