Saturday, April 26, 2025

I was beaten up for being black: Viola Davis

Date:

Share post:

London: Oscar-nominated actress Viola Davis has opened up about her tormented childhood, revealing she was beaten and spat on just for being black.

The Help star admits she has plenty of terrible memories from her childhood in Rhode Island to draw from when she needs to play frightened or emotional on-screen, reported Daily Star. Davis also said she felt a kinship with the maid she portrays in the hit film The Help because she too was targeted for the colour of her skin.

“I have stories of being spit on. You have to realise I was in a predominantly white culture… and third grade was the worst because every day after school I would wait at the door and the bell would ring. And as soon as the bell rang I ran as fast as I could from the front door to my house, which was at least a mile away, because I would have eight to nine boys with sticks, bricks, anything they could find, who were ready to kill me,” Davis said.

The actress also said she finally told her parents about her bullying hell and her mother sent her to school with a crochet needle. “She (mother) said, ‘Viola, I want you to take my crochet needle and you put it in your pocket and if they stop you again you tell them you’re gonna (stab) ’em,” she added. (PTI)

Related articles

Sleep well, avoid junk food to keep your liver healthy

New Delhi, April 26: Having a good night's sleep and avoiding junk food is essential to keep the...

Over two lakh people, top world leaders attend funeral ceremony of Pope Francis at Vatican

Vatican City, April 26: The funeral mass ceremony of Pope Francis, that began Saturday afternoon, India time, in...

Pak Army Chief escalates anti-India rant, rakes up two-nation theory again

Islamabad/New Delhi April 26: Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir on Saturday once again...

BJP extends support to Candle Light Gathering on April 27

Shillong, April 26: BJP Meghalaya, which was amongst the first in the state to organise a protest against...