Scott made history televising her talent to millions. When her peaking career was sabotaged, Scott went down valiantly.
Needing to be bold, fledgling television network DuMont turned to Scott.
“At a point in time when variety shows were being censured for featuring African American men as guests, The Hazel Scott Show not only had the temerity to feature a black woman, but the black woman in question starred in her own show. Scott’s variety show made history: it was the first television show to star an African American . . . The program premiered on July 2, 1950 to critical acclaim. Variety noted that ‘Hazel Scott has a neat little show in this modest package.’” [1]
Also historic in production style, The Hazel Scott Show became a national hit.
Scott was being recognized unprecedentedly. She had power—enough to be a threat.
“I’m not going to relax my efforts to get the rights for people of color merely because the Communist Party embraces that effort.” [3]
“The House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) was born in 1938 and was soon followed by . . . ‘little HUAC’s’ at the state level. All professed the same goal—to uproot and destroy communist activity within the United States. However, under the direction of right wing politicians and unapologetic white supremacists, these investigative agencies cast their nets wide.” [4]
HUAC subpoenaed communists accused by quasi-official publications and sometimes jailed them for contempt of court. Supposed communists were rarely cleared at hearings, instead becoming shunned liabilities to employers.
“An African American woman, an immigrant herself, the wife of the first black congressman from New York, and an outspoken critic of white supremacy, Scott was an obvious target for anti-communists. . . . she posed a threat to the racial status quo that red hunters were protecting under the guise of fighting the red menace.” [1]
Private publisher “Counterattack” falsely deemed Scott a communist in 1950.
“Accustomed to speaking her mind . . . , Scott decided to challenge her blacklisting by appealing directly to the HUAC in September 1950.
. . . Scott’s appearance before the HUAC in September 1950 was a study in self-determination and moxie. In a lengthy and carefully crafted message . . . she denied that she was ‘ever knowingly connected with the Communist Party or any of its front organizations.’” [1]
“[C]ertain citizens have deliberately turned their backs on the procedures which we are accustomed to, and have set themselves up as private judges and tribunals to assess and convict their fellow citizens. One of these groups, called Counterattack, has recently published an index of prominent artists, describing what purports to be their affiliations and activities in connection with Communist or pro-Communist organizations. This index, which is obtaining considerable notoriety, is called Red Channels. . . .
It is the activity of Counterattack which prompted me to ask for this hearing today. I myself am one of the victims of their technique of half-truth, innuendo, and guilt-by-listing. . . .
Red Channels mentions my name as ‘reported’ connected with nine organizations it considers subversive:
One of these listing [sic] is for an appearance—by direction of my employer—an appearance of which I am not ashamed, for reasons I shall discuss shortly.
. . . another involved use of my name 3 years after I had played a benefit. . .
The fourth listing advertised that I was guest of honor at a dinner I never went to or heard of.
Three others, I refused to join.
The other two, I never heard of.
By this, you can see that Red Channels presents a totally inaccurate picture of Hazel Scott's loyalty. . . .
Such irresponsible publications and activities must be stopped. . . .
The actors, musicians, artists, composers, and all of the men and women of the arts are eager and anxious to help to serve. . . .
We should not be written off by the vicious slanders of little and petty men.” [6]
“For a while it worked . . . Her testimony was quite powerful, but eventually the blacklisters and racists distorted the message.” [7]
Scott boldly denounced communist listings themselves when such action was unthinkable and isolating. However, HUAC succeeded. Her celebrated show was canceled the next week.
