I Am More Than Just a Black Woman

But that makes me feel stereotyped, typecast in one kind of role and viewed as a spokesperson for an entire race. It seems to me that this is happening more and more often to blacks in the media. And if they bring it up, they're made to seem ungrateful for their good fortune. But as an unknown young actor, it's not good for me to be categorized simply as the black performer. Am I only a black woman? Am I not a person apart from that? It feels as though in America's eyes, I'm only able -- or worse, expected -- to perform the black piece, as if that's all I can do and all I did do.

I'm not downplaying "Ma Rainey's" significance. And I appreciate all the attention the competition has received. It has been a major blessing in my life. But sometimes I cringe at the thought of another interview, because I'm sure it will focus on one thing only. But I am more than one poem, one idea, one aspect of myself.

I am an actor. I tell stories that cross the lines of race, gender and religion. My fellow competitors and I put our hearts and souls into three pieces of work that we selected with great care. It hurts me that my two other poems are never even mentioned. I feel deeply shortchanged by the notion that America seems comfortable with me only in the black spotlight.

I hope I'm wrong. I hope there's some good reason why the media narrows its lens. But if there is, it isn't yet clear to me. What is clear is that if the nation can only deal with African Americans in terms of our race, then as a country we have a long way to go.

aninafernandez@yahoo.com

Amanda Fernandez graduated from the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in June. She will enter New York University in the fall.