Book Review: Just As I Am by Cicely Tyson
Cicely Tyson was born in Harlem, New York City, where she was raised by her devoutly religious parents, from the Caribbean Island of Nevis. Her mother, Theodosia, was a domestic, and her father, William Tyson, was a carpenter and painter. She was discovered by a fashion editor at Ebony Magazine and, with her stunning looks, she quickly rose to the top of the modeling industry. In 1957, she began acting in Off-Broadway productions. She had small roles in feature films before she was cast as Portia in The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter (1968). Four years later, Cicely was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her sensational performance in the critically acclaimed film Sounder (1972). In 1974, she went on to portray a 110 year old former slave in The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman (1974), which earned her two Emmy Awards. She also appeared in the television miniseries Roots (1977), King (1978) and A Woman Called Moses (1978). While Cicely has not appeared steadily onscreen because of her loyalty to only portray strong, positive images of Black women, she is without a doubt one of the most talented, beautiful actresses to have ever graced the stage and screen. ~ IMDb Mini Biography By: AnonymousAbout Michelle Burford:
Buford is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and a founding editor of O, The Oprah Magazine. She is a Harvard-trained journalist whose work has taken her to more than 35 countries on six continents. A native of Phoenix, Michelle now resides in New York City. Read more about her creations at: www.MichelleBurford.com
I decided to listen to the book in audio as I read along. Oh, the glory hearing The introduction ""This Life" was read by Ms. Tyson, with an occasional throaty laugh, was a treat. The remainder of the book was narrated by Robin Mile, who does a good job of relaying her story, and bringing Ms.Tyson back to life (Cicely Tyson has since deceased since the publication of this autobiography). I excitedly and in memoriam, watched her roles in the movies in between reading, Sounder 1972 (Rebecca), A Fall From Grace 2020 (Alice), and The Trip to Bountiful 1985 (Mrs. Watts). Page 6 got my immediate attention when Ms. Tyson recanted the comment from a caucasian reporters' assessment from the movie Sounder - "I never thought of myself as being the least bit prejudiced, but as I watched the film, I just could not believe that the son was calling his father 'Daddy.' That is what my son calls me." Silence blanketed the room. What a profound moment! Using this encounter sparked her platform against racial injustice, bigotry, and the uneven pay amongst blacks.
Some of the highlights in the book speak of the dazzling variety of hues in their tribe, and every color was embraced. Elders regarded them as God’s most gorgeous creations (page 23). I loved how she described her mother as swelegant, a combination of “swell” and “elegant “ - blessed with a model’s figure and a wardrobe she’d tailored so precisely to her frame. Her father a Dapper Dan with swagger and style. I had no idea that you could repair runs in silk stockings (nylon repair shops). The most memorable line in the book was said to Cicely by her mother - “What’s for you in this life, you will get. And what is not for you, you will never get” (page 215).
Ms.Tyson’s dad was artistically gifted. Tyson’s cousin, Donald Wallbridge Shirley, was the renowned classical and jazz pianist whose life is depicted in the Oscar Award winning film Green Book in 2018 (page 43). Ms. Tyson worked many jobs that helped build her character. She was a transcriptionist for Save The Children, she also worked an assembly line of a nail factory, a secretary of a Navy Purchasing Office, a secretary at American Red Cross, just to name a few (page 118). Her working habits were garnered by watching her hard working parents.
Her mother's disapproval of her pursuing a career in acting became her liquid fuel, her source of strength. Before her mother put her out of the house, she had been attempting to prove to herself that she could excel as an actress. Her mother's displeasure pushed her, to prove her wrong (page 137). Ms.Tyson’s cousin, Donald Wallbridge Shirley, was not only a legendary pianist and composer, he was also a trained psychologist. He was key in honing and recognizing Ms. Tyson’s ability to pick-up on things, intuition, sixth sense, scientifically referred to as Extra Sensory Perception (ESP).
She also chronologically detailed her relationship with American trumpeter, bandleader, and composer Miles Davis from the 1960’s, married Davis in 1981, and until his death in 1991. She has a school named after her in East New Jersey, and was personally involved. Ms. Tyson was an iconic, influential actress who shattered stereotypes throughout her career from 1956 until her death in 2021, two days after the release of this book on January 26th at the age of 96.
This was a very good account of her life achievements, family, friends, health, and overall a life well lived, I enjoyed listening to her biography that is a thorough telling of more than just her career, but gives some history on the culture, fashion, and Jim Crow racism. Her revealing of innocence that led to early motherhood, and her strained relationship with her mother. This book was a wonderful glimpse into her life.
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