In today’s “Where did this come from“ News, according to the Associated Press, South Carolina Senators have just given key approval to make every January 17th in the State of South Carolina, “EARTH KITT DAY” in honor of the late actress.The bill was approved this afternoon 35-5 and is headed to Gov. Nikki Haley desk. Democratic Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter of Orangeburg has been working for years to honor Eartha Kitt.
What many may not know is that the actress was born in North Orangeburg County on a farm on January 27, 1927. She entertained the world for years on stages around the world, on movies and in television. She became known as a “sex kitten,” and even had a signature cat-like purr to compliment her stage name.
Eartha Kitt’s Legacy
Can I tell you all why Eartha Kitt is so epic? Besides being Cat Woman in the 1967 film Batman, and besides recording two top 10 hits, “Santa Baby” and “C’est Si Bon”. Besides Orson Wells calling her the “most exciting woman in the world,” and besides that fact that she learned to speak French along with three other languages, but she sang in SEVEN languages. Yes! Besides all of that!
During a time when it was not proper for a lady, especially a black woman to speak or even have an opinion, Eartha Kitt spit fire when it came to the unfair treatment of black people in America. She was an advocate for the people (that means boots on the ground) and she was against the Vietnam War. Kitt unapologetically spoke her truth during a period where it could have been detrimental to her career.
Eartha Kitt Makes Lady Bird Johnson Cry
In 1968, Eartha Kitt didn’t hold back when Lady Bird Johnson, the wife of President Lyndon B. Johnson asked her about fixing the problems of juvenile delinquency in the U.S. at a White House luncheon. Kitt’s response to Lady Bird was:
“You send the best of this country off to be shot and maimed. The rebel in the street. They will take pot and they will get high. The don’t want to go to school because theyre going to be snatched off from their mothers to be shot in Vietnam.”
She added:
“Vietnam is the main reason we are having trouble with the youth of America. It is war without explanation or reason.”
These brief statements of truth caused a world of hurt for lady B and began an awkward spiral for the career of Eartha Kitt. After the luncheon rumors spread that that Kitt “made the First Lady Cry,” of course Kitt made no apologies. Shortly thereafter Kitt was being investigated by the CIA (where they falsely documented her as a nymphomaniac). She also began losing gigs and contracts throughout Hollywood and was basically blackballed in America.
Thankfully, like many African American acts of this era, Kitt was just as popular in Europe as she was in the U.S. and she was able to work overseas for some time. Kitt believes that President Johnson had been a primary influence of attempting to ruin her career.
Ten years later, Eartha Kitt was welcomed back to the American Broadway stage with a standing ovation in her triumphant return in the play “Timbuktu.”
Eartha Kitt won two Emmy, and was nominated for three Tonys and two Grammys. She passed in 2008 but her sensual style and accomplishments live on. Every South Carolinian should be honored to celebrate the life and work if Eartha Kitt day! Note to self— take every Jan 17 off.
Associated Press
Syllabus Magazine, the Carolina’s source for Music, Culture and Fashion
