How lunch at the White House stalled Eartha Kitt's career

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On January 18, 1968, Eartha Kitt was invited to the White House for the First Lady's "Women Doers Luncheon"-an event about crime prevention and juvenile delinquency. What began as an innocent brunch of chicken and seafood bisque, ended in a controversial monologue from Kitt about how the youth of America were rebelling in the streets because of their anxiety about the Vietnam War. Her "outburst" became the hot topic of the day, revealing not only the country's unease about the escalating Vietnam War, but also timeless truths about the way we respond to protest.
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[@justthecoolestdudeyo9446]

The absolute nerve of people to say "this country *allowed* her to rise to wealth and success from poverty" and have no thought for the fact that this country also birthed her into poverty

[@AamuAurora]

Brilliantly said. As if poverty existed because poor people were defective. That's why they see getting richer as a privilege. Disgusting. Oppression is real.

[@LaurasBookBlog]

It's like that goose meme. "Why was she in poverty to begin with? WHY WAS SHE IN POVERTY, MOTHERFUCKER?"

[@t-pain1827]

Not just poverty, BONDAGE.

[@lkeke35]

Exactly! very good catch there! She would never have had to "rise from poverty" if that wasn't a feature of this country rather than a bug!

[@kerrylawson7515]

My grandfather was born in a 2-room cabin in rural KY, also into poverty. It's not exclusive to any race, color, or creed.

[@morganqorishchi8181]

My dad has a scathing hot take, one which I've often held to: if the truth makes you upset, and it's within your ability to change, don't get upset, just change it. Eartha Kitt didn't upset Ladybird, reality did. Reality intruded into her Rococo style bubble. She describes Eartha as "angry" and tries to rewrite things in order to try to paint her as the Angry Black Woman trope, but it just falls incredibly flat if you have eyes. What an embarrassing moment for her - and a wonderful moment for Kitt, showing she was unafraid to speak truth to power.

[@somethingclever8916]

Lady bird didnt seen that upset. But the media painted it that way. Not the last time the media created a story to sell a story

[@Hogtownboy1]

No Nixon and Edgar J Hoover were raving racist and he put the shiv into Kitt career

[@haute03]

100%

[@james021ryan]

Beautifully said

[@pcbassoon3892]

@@Hogtownboy1 You mean J. Edgar Hoover?

[@AN-tn8nw]

Ladybird Johnson dramatically asking herself "is this a nightmare?" because Eartha Kitt brought up something political at her political luncheon is really getting me.

[@yogurtfordinner]

Sensually walking to the thermostat and setting it to a sensible 74 degrees in order to watch this before bed

[@elenaaguilarcastillo1932]

LOL

[@rominajaureguimira]

I LOVE THIS

[@escarlit]

😂😂

[@lukeryanjames]

You win.

[@oliviagarrison2087]

🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽

[@zeenanity]

A great example of how news media were clickbaity long before the internet

[@seeleunit2000]

Well naturally.

[@michaeltonus3888]

Also like, OK even if Eartha Kitt was angry about the Vietnam war, and the way the country neglected the needs of disenfranchised communities, what's wrong with that? Why shouldn't she be?

[@JuriAmari]

Exactly. Kitt knew she had the power to do something with her influence and she did it! That’s miles away from what the Johnson’s did.

[@brynanderson5190]

she ate him up with that question. u could tell he was gagged

[@jonginisholy]

Gagged so bad, he couldn't even make up a proper sentence lmao

[@YokaiEnthusiast]

When his answer, as the President of the God Damn Country was "I dunno, ask the women about it." My Brother In Christ YOU'RE THE PRESIDENT.

[@micca903]

Well honestly isn’t this your own responsibility as a parent in the first place? He can’t possibly say it that bluntly but that’s the reality of the matter when you have children. The best you can hope for is something like socialized childcare so I don’t understand why this doesn’t answer the question. This was one of the most liberal administrations in the history of the US, what more do you want? We don’t have anything close to that today.

[@YokaiEnthusiast]

@@micca903 Lmao you have got to be fuckin joking did you watch the same video we did? The President Of The United States Absolutely Should Care About What Happens To Our Children In Our Communities. "It takes a village" isn't a cute saying that lazy parents use to dump their baby on a stranger. He RUNS a COUNTRY. Children in this country ARE his concern... Or SHOULD be. Don't let that man pass the buck off on mothers and walk away. Stay blessed. Enjoy your weekend.

[@seeleunit2000]

​@@YokaiEnthusiastYeah, but at daus end he's a a politician, one with very ass backwards views we didn't have much of an interest in thinking too much about these sorts of things. What's a demonstrates another issue that people Revere the White House position too much... Freaking weird

[@Melissaonline22]

“Is that all she did, watch me?” Iconic

[@MariaVosa]

So clear from early on Ladybird was just waiting for her to do anything "out of line". She could have asked for directions to the bathroom and it would have been interpreted as an attack. She was not capable of even hearing what was being said by Kitt, she had already made up her mind that this ***** was uppity.

[@eilish5867]

"she arrived, expecting to solve Eartha May's problems, but was instead asked to be Eartha Kitt". this line really stood out to me. Eartha Kitt is probably one of the most iconic performers the world has been blessed to witness, but she was also a severely traumatised woman in a world where her humanity was denied in place of what she could provide for others. she was there to genuinely solve the issues that affected her from affecting others, in a room full of people who didn't even know what the issue was. will forever love Eartha Kitt

[@ananananabop]

This is the first time I’ve seen the footage and Lyndon’s entire body language is so dismissive and disrespectful, even more than his words. Just that little hand swat so close to her face would have made me furious, and yet Eartha Kitt bore it all with incredible stoicism and grace.

[@MyssBlewm]

My eyes were rolling so hard. Eartha had so much grace dealing with his condescension

[@amyreynolds7244]

OKAY SAME. I think it's always valuable to be reminded that even the "good" presidents who did meaningful shit like the Civil Rights Act were still colossal assholes.

[@nadyarossi5102]

Johnson was an arrogant, amoral, prejudiced warmonger. Your typical Democrat.

[@cassandral.5840]

They were threatend by Eartha Kitt the moment they realized she was smart, just, and spoke the truth. Nothing they could ever do.

[@skyllalafey]

They had to settle for attacking her alleged tone and manner (in spite of video to the contrary), because they couldn't attack the content of what she said. Everybody except Eartha comes off as disgraceful in this situation!

[@seeleunit2000]

Exactly. They were a bunch of entitled wealthy white people who didn't like looking at very harsh cold facts, so long as it didn't affect them. Same old story.

[@Naturefan354]

​@seeleunit2000 "Whyte people"?? They was all kinds of races of people there. And money makes all people become potentially entitled plus all kinds of different reasons regardless of race. Eartha Kitt herself is half white herself

[@BroadwayGuy]

"The First Lady is upset? Why should she be? I was telling the truth." What she did, in one highly composed and intelligent, swoop was to shatter a fantasy about the state of the world. Notice how composed, articulate, and intelligent Miss Kitt is in comparison to those who criticized her in the wake of that fateful lunch. Miss Kitt laughs infectuously in many interviews, but her laughter obviously covered up so many terrible things and much pain she survived. Yet, Miss Kitt ROSE ABOVE everything with class, grace, and intelligence. She is a first class role model for all of us. BRAVO, Eartha, and Bravo BKR for this excellent video.

[@user-id5er4hz8d]

Eartha is the GOAT. She’s everything you want your icon to be: insanely talented, wonderfully witty, an activist unafraid to put her ideals first, the epitome of confidence and self-acceptance. And a legacy that will never end.

[@tankiegirl]

Eartha Kitt supported apartheid in Rhodesia, I'd chill out on the praise

[@urbanzmb]

But she also supported fascist white minority rule in South Africa, visited & performed there despite a boycott by Black liberation movements & denied that there was even a racial issue claiming, ‘if a black man has money he can go anywhere he wants...” Eartha Kitt also starred as a brothel madam in 2 "plantation genre" apartheid films (prod. by Zionists in South Africa). The Dragonard movies (named after the Boers' whip) were made by a director of one of Klein's pornos and Klein's fascist partner, Towers.

[@lkeke35]

The Activist artists like her from that era will never be repeated. Hollywood learned to never let Black people with opinions get that high a status ever again.

[@arasharfa]

truly!!!!! Let's all make sure the true narrative around her life lives on forever!!!

[@ggonzalez2676]

You missed VERY INTELLIGENT and WITH A GREAT SENSIBILITY ❤ We need more people like her in these days.

[@Metric21]

"The American inclination is to police the debate, rather than engage in it" really sums up the discourse surrounding the political issues of the last several months. Why even call it history if things never change?

[@beth12svist]

Nothing to do with Eartha Kitt, but I sit here in Europe listening to 1960s Americans saying "Europe has less crime because European cities are more planned" and thinking "They're not more planned. Most of them grew over many many centuries, that's the exact opposite of planned. You mean they're better maintained."

[@sarahallegra6239]

I thought that too, haha

[@saiyamoru]

Alternatively, that's also them admitting 'OUR planned-out American suburb system was a horrible idea'.

[@beth12svist]

@@saiyamoru Eh. I think it's essentially them saying "The way our cities are planned is terrible, European cities are better, clearly Europeans are better at city planning" and not realising that, in many cases, it's not exactly planning, it's a sort of natural development.

[@saiyamoru]

@@beth12svist American cities are 100% the result of 'city planners' deciding they knew better than just letting the city naturally evolve. It's actually a wretched way to raise kids imo; the children I know who were raised in closer-knit semi-urban areas are so much more well-adjusted as adults.

[@BarryHart-xo1oy]

Excellent point.

[@kleerude]

I can’t believe how composed Ms Kitt was in the aftermath. I would’ve been climbing the walls.

[@seeleunit2000]

Well, she was a black woman in the 60s, a high-profile famous black woman... She didn't have much of an option. However, internally she probably was pissed

[@monikasmithsonian2985]

I really hope her memoirs become more publicly available What a fascinating woman

[@pcbassoon3892]

I think if you weren't raised in the South, you can't fully appreciate how Southern women are expected to always be composed, always be dignified, don't rock the boat, it isn't polite to have an opinion. This goes double for African American women. This is even true now among certain circles. I think this is one of the reasons Lady Bird Johnson was offended, but probably also why Eartha Kitt got angry. She was from the South too, but from a completely different background, so she knew how ineffective this attitude is. Because it really is like this. There is a set idea of what a family should be and do, and when people don't fit that standard, you pretend they don't exist.

[@marymitchell8625]

💯

[@basicallyno1722]

Composed even in their simpering fake tears, ruinous gossip, exaggerated details of victimhood and passive-aggressive politicking. There is nothing composed or genteel about souther manners.

[@AamuAurora]

There's no proof that Eartha was angry. Your explanation is amazing but I think she was offended that Eartha didn't know her place; in her mind she was never an equal to the First Lady. How dare she indirectly criticize her beautification projects 😂😂😂

[@LARomeo-jy9uw]

Truth hurt and the "first lady" simply couldn't handle it !

[@somethingclever8916]

She seemed to handle it well. But the media does what it always does: creates a story to sensationalize to sell to consumers. Things havent changed

[@marymitchell8625]

​@@somethingclever8916💯

[@barbarak2836]

It seemed that the media made Eartha look rude, angry, and shrill and Lady Bird a fearful shrinking violet and victim, greatly insulting both women.

[@TheVistakay]

As a professional historian who spent decades studying women in Texas history, and as someome who met Lady Bird on several occasions, I can say there are several things at play here: (1.) Eartha Kitt was a goddess who spoke truth to power, whether it was "welcomed" or not; (2.) Yes, Lady Bird was operating under the "steel magnolia" tradition of southern womanhood and would have been cruciified in the South for any other reaction; (3.) Lady Bird, so named by Alice Tittle [thank you for sharing her picture], was obsessively devoted to "the president" and would instantly turn on anyone who didn't share her rose-colored vision of him. For example, after months of interviews with biographer Jan Jarboe Russell, Lady Bird discontinued their conversations, stating that any criticism of the president was a criticism of her. It angered her no end. This, too, was an extremely inappropriate and dangerous tradition of southern wives at the time (and, for some women, it's still an important, if unfortunate, tradition); (4.) most importantly, the great Eartha Kitt committed the unforgivable "sin" of bringing anti-Vietnam sentiments from the curb in front of the White House to the dinner table inside. That alone was enough to trigger a tragic backlash. It was an incredibly important and courageous thing to do. We should all be forever grateful; and finally, (5) as others have pointed out, the media was already obsessed with what would become known as "click bait." They pounced on this and gave it the spin that sold newspapers and drew news viewers. I point out these things not to justify the White House reaction at all, but to explain why Ms. Kitt was so viciously and unjustly attacked--as you point out so incredibly well. Thank you, BKR, for this important and timely documentary on how the White House obsession with image over justice and service can steamroll right over those who raise important concerns and questions about policy. You always do an amazing job, and you have one of the best voices in documentaries today. Bravo!

[@reelirish7]

This is great insight! Thanks for sharing!

[@TheVistakay]

​@@reelirish7Thank you! 🙂

[@Flierl94]

WE DO NOT TALK ABOUT EARTHA KITT ENOUGH

[@FritzandtheOscars]

I have to admit I was completely unfamiliar with this story and cannot be thankful enough for this wonderful presentation and these insights

[@davy209]

I’m a fan of your videos to!

[@Princess_Weekes]

Another amazing video. Eartha was so ahead of her time and brave, but it is sad she had to be

[@LorenzoDoesntExist]

That Karen getting up and saying, "I'm sending my sons to Vietnam for this country," to applause while nobody actually addresses what Eartha Kitt said is pathetic.

[@basicallyno1722]

It also reversed the whole point of the lunch. Wasn’t it about what the country/government should be doing for their people’s conditions.

[@user-id5er4hz8d]

‘We want nothing in return for supposed freedom. Just your first-born. And your second. If you could spare your third, much appreciated.’

[@ChewsCarefully]

Excuse me, I was busy coming from my rally to protest human right abuses by the Chinese before going back to my job as a guard at Guantanamo Bay. Could you repeat that? You were saying something about hypocrisy or something?

[@ginak615]

This comment could have been meaningful if not for your misogynistic use of the sexist, hateful slur, "Karen," for which there is no male equivalent, even though men behave this way far more than women do, and yet are not even remotely policed by the public (both male and female) for their behavior. I know actual women named Karen who have considered changing their names, and two who actually have, because of this misogyny. They're both kind women who don't deserve this societal misogyny. They're far from the only ones. Reddit has quite a few threads about this. It's cruel of you to use this pathetic, hateful slur, and it erases your point, because it just shows how misogynistic you are yourself, and how quickly and easily sexism comes to you.

[@rebeccacampbell585]

And when those sons came back America mistreated them. It's sad all around.

[@arielpearson4819]

Yeah people like the idea of "speaking truth to power" but when someone actually does it they're like "ugh, why'd you say it all rude like that?" regardless of how the message was delivered. There's an overemphasis on delivery and the message usually gets swallowed up and forgotten.

[@madamedelite]

On my way to work in Manhattan, I ended up in the elevator with Eartha Kitt. And even in that small space, she dominated it. Everyone felt her presence and she was so funny and friendly for the few moments I was there. I was in too much in awe to say a word.

[@BryonyClaire]

"That's her problem" oh my gosh I have so much respect for Eartha Kitt, this relentless grilling, guilting, tone policing, scapegoating she dealt with, it's all utter bs. This was an incredible video!

[@Advent3546]

I feel blessed to be alive the same time Eartha Kitt was

[@rebeccabarnes3381]

All of the archive/press footage in this is amazing, but my favorite moment is at 46:30 when Ms. Kitt goes, “What I said to Mrs. Johnson upset her?” in that voice, and the guy sitting behind her immediately starts trying to control his grin

[@CCNuck]

Oh my God, so true.

[@danielachamorro8783]

I am obsessed with hearing her describe the incident in her voice.

[@falconeshield]

If its her I'm impressed

[@chibiktsn3]

I genuinely believed Ladybird Johnson had cried until this video. Thank you for making this video and for using the words and recordings of the people who experienced this event vs. exaggerated newspapers trying to get readers

[@candybox5360]

BKR...This "Angry Black Woman " trope needs to end. Thank you for cleaning this southern aristocrat with the Floor. Shame on THAT "Bird" 💜🌈💜 love you BKR.

[@marymitchell8625]

💯

[@theniftycat]

Eartha Kitt should be known and respected so much more! Thank you for talking about her.

[@mortenle]

Eartha Kit said her peace, but others thought it was screaming confrontation by a belligerent black woman.

[@seeleunit2000]

Same story as it always is. Anytime a black woman says something that has relevant, people get pissed and try to discredit her

[@brokeandnamelessnyc]

No one contextualizes and intellectualizes Hollywood culture the way you do. I truly love how this channel continues to evolve and expand.

[@k.g.1159]

I thought this was a short for a hot second and then saw it was an HOUR LONG VIDEO and WHOOPED! love Eartha Kitt and the fascinating story of her career, thank you so much BKR!!! ❤️

[@asiabrew81]

Omg me too! And then I realized "Wait, its a new month" and then the runtime finally loaded. And I had finally watched the Clara Bow video a few hours ago.

[@noah9369]

Be Kind Rewind, you have done it again. Constantly raising the bar for us all and doing it flawlessly. I’d say i’m surprised, but I know who you are. Girl, you make me so proud.

[@luisestrada4443]

Eartha Kitt, the original patron saint of the phrase "I said what I Said", those "journalists" owed her an apology

[@eamonndeane587]

An Apology and so much more.

[@falconeshield]

It's still happening with Trump. Media manipulation and hate baiting really go hand in hand.

[@Eggsther]

In this house, we STAN Eartha Kitt

[@KingoftheJuice18]

"Caucasian First Lady Patronizes Knowledgeable White House Guest"

[@Melissaonline22]

Caucasian First Lady reads aggression into Black woman’s movements when said woman literally did not move a muscle

[@paillette2010]

amen

[@lastilnovista]

“Racist Warmonger First Karen Disgustingly Weaponises White Fragility, Lies, and Slanders Renowned Celebrity Activist as ‘Angry Black Woman’”

[@seeleunit2000]

​@@Melissaonline22It wouldn't shock me if Ladybird Johnson was a racist who was totally out of touch with the average person. Which seems obvious.

[@vicariously143]

Oh hey. You fixed it

[@LovlyHorror]

I knew that Eartha was a legend before, but this video makes me have more respect for her than I ever could have imagined. Rest in peace queen.

[@outinsider]

It seems to me that when white tears go as high as the First Lady of the United States, you cannot deny white supremacy's ingrained impact on this country, and how policing Black women for speaking in any and all capacity is an expression of white supremacy. From Eartha Kitt to Angela Bassett, white supremacy thrives on trying to control Black women's expressions. I am so grateful you made this video. I miss your Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress Oscar analysis videos, but I love how you are expanding to look at women in film in history and connecting them to the modern day.

[@outinsider]

@robinlyn2797 White supremacy existed before the press you claim is behind this existed. These aren't just trendy words. White supremacy is a cancer on this country, and those treating it towards healing are not bad people. Those calling attention to it are not bad people. Also, journalism, like every social institution in this country, favors white people, so for you to say that Eartha's public accountability comments were apart of a media conspiracy is really the mayo calling the linoleum white.

[@marymitchell8625]

It still goes on, it's just a lot uglier today. But I felt a Karen-like edge when Mrs Johnson refereed to Miss Eartha' "tossing her long hair." Jealousy. It's MTG bitching about Jasmine Crockett's "false eyelashes." I've been a Black woman for over 60 years. Ive heard it all before. How dare Black women express their beauty the way THEY wish to. We're criticized forvwrarung our hair naturally, but we are mocked for the same adornments other women wear. In slavery days Black women were even required by law to cover their hair! Sick of the shallow catfightts. Miss Eartha was about the JOB so I see why she was appalled ny this phony banquet.

[@lastilnovista]

21:20 OBSESSED FAN BEHAVIOUR 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@ChewsCarefully]

@@robinlyn2797 Sorry, _who tf is_ "the press?" I find that _everyone_ in American society is concerned with pointing at a target to blame then feeling that having done so resolves anything. Then they shrug & walk away. She either was right or wrong, either was taken seriously or not, & it was all over 50 years ago. If the Entire Culture Refuses To Discuss A Thing that isn't the press' fault. It's the fault of the cowards who hide behind what it says.

[@kerrylawson7515]

@@marymitchell8625What law, exactly, required black women to cover their hair? Honest question.

[@FishareFriendsNotFood972]

Hearing this and looking at the current situation with protests about what's happening in the Middle East, it continues to amaze me how much history repeats itself.

[@marymitchell8625]

💯

[@antonellamR2D2]

👏👏👏👏👏

[@hardcoremagicalgirl]

This video helped me contextualize her 1985 song "I Don't Care" which is a super fun 80's dance track in a music video where Eartha Kitt upsets some white ladies and has hypnotized their husbands into a very slay half naked dance routine. She loved the gay community and we loved her back because what a music video, they called her Mother Eartha for a reason.

[@TombCat]

This is some of your best work, BKR. I always thought that Eartha was some kind of showbiz niche artist. Now I see she was a true iconoclast and brave, wounded, woman. Emotionally intelligent, self aware, proactive and wanting to help. The rest was her expression of creation and the persona that she made her living with. Kitt was essentially blacklisted for daring to ask a question? She wasn't woke, she was awake. And she opened some eyes too. A *silent* machine rose against her. Every ism there was. I'm impressed that she never apologized. That it became her lifelong battle to defend and explain herself was a tragedy. She was not known to be a gentle woman in later life. We see you today, Eartha.

[@ginapetrea]

The hoops she had to jump through for being "rude," the audacity ! America should be celebrating Eartha Kitt! What a remarkable person. Using her voice advocating for change, etc. True powerhouse!

[@residentevil4life]

random near midnight drop on a Tuesday? We love it!!

[@bkrewind]

i'm blaming my internet!! hahaha

[@laslunasdunas8001]

KAZ ROWE MENTION 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@middlemuse]

Dear god the sheer audacious courage and righteousness of purpose to stand in front of the most powerful man on earth and call him on his bs. Incredible.

[@vcm5590]

WHAT A QUEEN!!! Eartha Kitt was so ahead of her time. Definitely want to do more research on her life. Thank you for calling some attn to her and to protesting/free speech 🙏🏼🇵🇸❤️👏🏼

[@Wild_Card69]

The best thing that I got out of the conversation between Eartha and Lyndon B. Johnson, was that Eartha outlived at least most of the people in that very room 😂

[@walterclapp813]

Who needs sleep tonight when you have a new BKR video 🙌

[@KerraBolton]

Eartha Kitt has been an extraordinary inspiration for me. Ms. Kitt famously said, "I stayed on my own path and did not follow the herd. I made a way for myself."

[@belorama8]

Was I in bed ready to sleep? Yes ma'am. Do I have an early morning tomorrow? Yes ma'am. Am I about to watch this while video because how committed I am to BKR? Yes. God I LOVE Eartha! ❤️💕❤️💕

[@mariorojas6192]

This First Lady reminded me so much of Dolores Umbridge

[@TroyTalks.]

This was the last topic I thought you would cover - not because of any perceived bias against the topic but because I just don't see many people discuss this. Beautifully done. And fairly done. Bravo

[@adamautumn2329]

What is it that Eartha did after the White House turned her into an enemy? She lived her life. And she had so much to live for.

[@falconeshield]

I feel sorry she never found a sugar daddy spoiling her from the 90s till 2008. Tina found her true love in her 40s, Eartha deserved all the love AND money. (Tina was the sugar queen in jest but her husband adored her)

[@nataliewilliams9741]

I had a chance to see the Incredible Eartha Kitt at Jazz Alley in Seattle in the mid 2000's, right before she passed, but Ernestine Anderson was having a benefit concert to try and save her house and I felt obligated to attend that as she'd pulled me up on stage there in the late 80's and let me sing "It's Alright" with her. First time this transplant had felt welcomed in the Great Northwet 🌧️. Anyhow, I couldn't afford to do both and I didn't want Ernestine to lose her home. I've adored Eartha since I was a very young child. Something about her really spoke to me. Very few celebrities have that effect on me. I sure wish I'd got to see her live once, but I'm grateful she was in our world.

[@lonellfletcher]

Easily one of your best videos. The deep exploration into what really went down, how it was actually received, and who was really responsible for Eartha's exile. Bravissimo!!!!

[@Tom-pw2ni]

I have loved Ms Kitt for over 50 year, from the Batman series to her cabaret show and albums, it wasn't till my 40's that I learned of her experiences with the Johnsons and her real life, I am happy that she ended up have a successful life

[@FishareFriendsNotFood972]

Thank you for covering the history of how many ways we censor and attempt to prevent black women from speaking their truth

[@Fafnerluver922]

The media milked this so much back then. Holy, the more I expose myself to topics like this, the more I want to avoid the US

[@MasseurDavis]

Talented, Brutally honest, classy, highly intelligent and beautiful... Eartha Kitt was truly 1 Of A Kind.

[@M4TCH3SM4L0N3]

Seeing that video of Kitt and Johnson, her petite and clearly timid but courageous form juxtaposed against his massive frame as he glowers down disdainfully at her and mumbled out a maundering dismissal of her question, is such an incredible window into the quality of each of them. She was so clearly small and scared, and all he needed to do was to acknowledge the validity of her concerns and express his shared interest in solving them in as much as he was able with the legislative bodies as they were. It's clear, however, that it never occurred to him that he should ever have to bring himself to answer to any woman, much less a Black woman. That's why he saw it as an ambush - she was not meant to have a voice here, but she was not so willing to be treated like a prop. The woman interviewed at 44:05 has it right on the money: the Johnsons never intended on actually engaging as equals with these people who were so far below them, and it was offensive to their sensibilities.

[@jerriandfriends]

This is a WONDERFUL video, thank you so much for making it. Eartha Kitt has been an icon of mine, passed down from my mom who loves her and Diahann Carroll (another Black actress I’d love to see you over). A complete aside but Lady Bird’s nanny (29:27) is absolutely STUNNING. I audibly gasped when you featured the picture of her with Lady Bird as a baby.

[@rivinii]

That last shot of Columbia brought me to tears. Thank you for this video.

[@amylouise9853]

I will never understand the American reverence of the First Family. In Australia it’s only the Prime Minister who is involved in politics, not their family other than a few brief photo ops, but if the PM’s spouse was involved like in the States I’m sure they would be fair game here for feedback on policy.

[@kcbh24]

You never heard of the monarchy in Great Britain? 🙄

[@saramoreira9847]

@@kcbh24 Even in Great Britain's monarchy the spouse's have for many generations been uninvolved with policy making.

[@kcbh24]

@@saramoreira9847 nobody is talking about policy-making, are they, Sally? Read the thread again and come back with an actual point.

[@thenablade858]

@@kcbh24 The monarchy isn’t ruling, bimbo. That’s the difference. They haven’t been useful since Queen Anne was the late monarch to veto a bill. The President is actually in charge, and their wives are usually useless (like Lady Bird, Nancy Reagan, Pat Nixon etc) and performative.

[@thenablade858]

@@kcbh24 You’re not very bright, huh? The President is actually in charge and therefore important. The monarchy hasn’t had legitimate political power since Queen Anne passed on. Also, she’s Australian. Australians don’t care about the monarchy either.

[@candiceolson1723]

Eartha has and always will be my Eartha-ly role model. There's no god like a outcasted woman who can teach you the horrors of the past, and how to pick yourself up and go forward without anyone at your side. She taught me you can live through horror after horror and still show up elegant, beautiful, and with a smile. As a trans woman I too am rejected by every single group and have been outcasted by society even though I'm gorgeous and talented just like Eartha. Instead of folding over and becoming evil and bitter, I just remember to laugh at compromise and continue to be beautiful inside and out. May she rest forever in our hearts, and may she know the lasting impression she left on the female youth before her passing.

[@christopherramon-reid2000]

Isabel, what you’ve done here deserves an abundance of praise and recognition. Thank you for your work, research and sharing of this information. By far this is one of your very best.

[@kcbh24]

Goodness, do you people ever get tired of worshipping KZbinrs?

[@jordanbrown3816]

Wow what an great video. Not only have I never heard of this incident with Eartha Kitt, but BKR’s excellent research and presentation gives us a story that is so so relevant today!

[@RainbowBoo42]

The timing of this video is greatly appreciated with regards to the other unpopular war going on right now and how people are shaming those daring to speak up like Eartha Kitt

[@marymitchell8625]

100

[@marymitchell8625]

💯

[@JuriAmari]

Eartha Kitt is a queen! My parents introduced me to her work via Catwoman and when her other villain roles started taking off (for me it was the Emperor’s New Groove and My Life as a Teenage Robot), I got curious about her life. That interview about being in love and not compromising lives rent free in my mind! ❤

[@anthonyL1995]

I’ve been following your channel since nearly day one. Eartha Kitt is my everything. There really isn’t a day that goes by that Eartha’s music doesn’t get played in my household. Thank you for making this video. Her name deserves to be known wider than it is in this day and age.

[@pythonkatie1985]

My favorites/most nostalgic of her work were Ernest Scared Stupid and Erik the Viking. I never even knew things were so incredibly rough for her.

[@jameydupuy9280]

I absolutely love how calm, articulate, factual, and almost unemotional she was in asking/ making her statement to LBJ. She shattered every chance of anyone being able to critize her in any way and the only thing they could do was HEAR what she was saying. Anything else made them look foolish. As women, any hysteria, raising of voice, .... crap, even movement.. and that becomes the only thing it is about. She knew their game and she blew it all out of the water. She should be an example to all girls growing up. In a world where people see what they want to see, she understood this generations before her time. Truly an amazing woman.

[@lizardjr.7826]

can't believe i never heard about this incident when doing my vietnam war deep dives. thanks for the vid!

[@nicoleemenhiser8028]

That street interview with the protestor was the DEFINITION of satisfying. She handled those questions absolutely perfectly. What a freaking champ.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Happy Pride Month! 🏳️‍🌈 Thank you for creating a safe space for us all to learn and thrive in. Also, it was my birthday yesterday so I take this as a post-celebration gift.

[@sarazworld3811]

Ertha Kitt is the bad ass big sister that America didn’t deserve

[@mattbernabe]

Agatha: "What was that?" Maid: "I have no idea." Agatha: "Then, why don't you go over there and get an idea. And if it's that rat....KILL IT!" 😂 I've always loved that quote. The great Eartha Kitt as Agatha in Harriet The Spy. Before watching this video, I loved Eartha. After watching it, I loved her even more, and gained so much respect for her. Thank you, Be Kind Rewind! Being born in 88, Ernest Scared Stupid, Harriet The Spy, and The Emperor's New Groove are the films I grew up with. It's true that growing up, I didn't know Eartha's name, but I could never forget that voice, the personality, and the force of nature that was Eartha Kitt. Underrated and unappreciated artist. I wish she was given more opportunities to shine. Obviously, it was a different time, and not many roles were written for black actresses, except for being the maid, etc. Eartha was brilliant! The GOAT and a trailblazer. One that will never be forgotten.

[@vivalaleta]

Your comment is the best.

[@ogto]

43:40 props to this woman, eviscerating the entire discourse with killer combo

[@Littlestraincloud]

44:00 love the articulated rage and solidarity of this woman. I love Eartha Kitt, I'm glad people didn't let the narrative bulldoze her completely here, and I'm glad she got the last laugh.

[@diegojimenez8757]

eartha is my life hero. never has there been a more resilient artist.

[@historysuit9418]

Nothing better then a boring night that’s shaken up with a BKR upload!

[@cowslane1]

This video is criminally under-viewed. Great work!

[@jayhlovelady]

I'm a real fan of the Vietnam era, and this video added new color and a personal dimension to a dynamic period of American history. Thank you for all your hard work!

[@RogueWJL]

The more I learn about Errtha, the more in awe and inspired I become

[@marlonsalvadorbandal3278]

The story about Eartha Kitt and Lady Bird Johnson would be a great Season 3 for Ryan Murphy's The Feud Series.

[@Talisguy]

I have...reservations about how Ryan Murphy would handle it based on what I've heard about his other work. Let's just say that.

[@mistamista8524]

Angelica Ross would speak otherwise on that

[@ayindestevens6152]

Ummmm yes to the show just NOT with Murphy.

[@bkrewind]

I similarly hesitate with how he would handle the Vietnam war lol

[@eamonndeane587]

​@bkrewind Personally, I'd choose Lee Daniels or Ava DuVernay to helm an Eartha Kitt biographical miniseries for HBO and have Quincy Jones do the music.

[@br3ndaful]

Eartha Kitt is a legend. She saw through their evil lies and bigotry. This country will pay for their atrocities on our people. It’s all about US. It’s always been about us.

[@MonaEvans]

Eartha's dignity throughout this story is iconic. And she's so funny and cool telling the story in the interviews I have to replay each clip 10 times. It's the kind of story that makes me happy to see how black women have always been a voice of dignified resistence, but soooo sad and tired to realise we still need to deal with people calling us angry, rude and shrill more than half a century later. Thanks for this! Eu AMO demais esse canal

[@johnjones5424]

Her question was so innocuous. LBJ would never get elected today because of his "socialistic" policies. His Vietnam policies are a stain on his presidency in spite of his ambitious anti-poverty measures and Civil Rights successes. Only a few months later, he secretly negotiated the end of the Vietnam War that we found out in the last few years were 86ed by Nixon and his minions. Thanks for the great video. Learned a lot about Kitt.

[@seeleunit2000]

Let's not pretend that LBJ wasn't a racist himself. They were a bunch of Southerners in a position of power and a black woman who is high-profile spoke the truth about a dire situation, and the wealthy white people got mad...

[@falconeshield]

You can say the true term. Capitalist.

[@juanbarraza1490]

Wonderful work! Younger members of my family only know her voice from Emperor’s New Groove and from a gag involving a tryst with Chevy Chase’s character on Community. They’ll see this soon.

[@marymitchell8625]

Miss Eartha was a pioneer and a visionary, and they are often disrespected. This is a great take on this incident! It makes more sense to me now. Thank you!

[@DigiDestined55X]

43:40 - 44:36 Who is this woman. I wish to send love, flowers, and chocolate to her/her family. 😊 It takes a lot of guts & poise to conduct yourself so professionally & frankly in front of news cameras like that and get your point across so eloquently. To put it by today's dialect, we STAN a boss ass queen. 👑🤘

[@annalewein4673]

Holy crap yes this is amazing!!!!!

[@romana34]

The idea that somehow our country allowed her, her success is so bizarre and disgusting, it makes me feel ill. It is painful to be reminded of how racist, and hateful the past is. We need to acknowledge it, so we can do better. She made several excellent points, and it’s heartbreaking that she wasn’t taken more seriously, or that her remarks didn’t lead to a more nuance discussion of the topic. This is an incredibly important story to discuss now in the wake of questions about social justice and protesting . The right to protest is something we have and should protect, even if we don’t always agree with the people protesting. Eartha Kitt was an incredible, talented, intelligent, and compassionate woman. The world is better for her being in it.

[@mimiloforte]

57:50 "Why is it we can only accept protest after the damage has already been done, after history bears out an activist's worst fears? "maybe the students at Columbia were right, _maybe the students at Columbia were right_ “ Thank you for speaking out! Can't wait for a couple years for the complicit to address what is currently happening in Gaza as what it is- unlawful genocide. As a fellow history lover it saddens me to see that same mistakes being commited over and over again- as a rule of thumb, the students are usually right!

[@MadTeaMarie]

This was an EXCELLENT documentary! I'm no newcomer to American history, and I learned something new from this. It was extremely well-reasoned, with superb sources, and I think your timing is fantastic!

[@pansypresents2103]

ladybird's voice sounds like the epitome of racism. it seethes in hatred when she just says eartha kitt's name. it made it almost difficult to get through this important work...but thank you! what a fucking gift of disruption and glamour eartha was for us.

[@marymitchell8625]

I remember what Jackie Kenbedy said about her. It was not complimentary. Aren't women better than catfights, no pun intended?

[@lastilnovista]

Eartha lived in that woman’s head rent-free until the day she died. the way she made that white woman’s skin ITCH!!!!!

[@9eishitasharma501]

​@@marymitchell8625 what did she say?

[@falconeshield]

​@@marymitchell8625If I recall, Jackie had just given birth when she visited the WH as the new first lady. She was weak on the knees for obvious reasons, as the pregnancy hurt Jackie at the time. Anyone who've asked her if she wanted a wheelchair around the building. Ladybird noted it, but never did it. Jackie never asked, so she didn't do it.

[@burdamoden1987]

You can't imagine, how I ADORE EACH OF YOUR VIDEOS!!!

[@swooningtree]

Thank you for being so comprehensive, as always.