Was Audrey Hepburn a racist?
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Audrey Hepburn
YWMCALegpress — 1 year ago(June 12, 2024 06:30 PM)
Saw this post on Quora.
Probably, although it’s likely a complex matter.
According to her own personal narrative she rejected her parents after they accepted Nazism, the invasion of their home nation of Holland, and the arrest and deportation of Jews. However Hepburn also avoided making her feelings about Jews public and none of her romantic relationships seem to have been with Jewish men or any non-White males for that matter.
In films Hepburn starred in what is now clearly a racist film entitled Breakfast at Tiffany’s. In the film, her character’s upstairs neighbor (A Japanese businessman) was portrayed in a VERY racist manner by the late actor Mickey Rooney. Since Rooney was not even PART Japanese and since his portrayal is very unpleasant (see below) had Hepburn had any problems with it, it’s likely that we would have heard about it by now. Being the star of the film and its box office draw, if she had complained they almost certainly would have toned things down.
Although Hepburn volunteered for United Nations efforts, especially in Africa that may have been just as much for the publicity and the tax benefits as it was that she felt an affinity for the cause. Her biographies (well…the ones which I have read, that is) studiously avoid her racial views apart from her decision not to support her parents actions during WWII. It’s likely that Hepburn held a slightly modified series of views from those held by the Dutch who were born or who lived during that era of the 20th century.
Was she a racist?
Probably.
Was it a virulent form of racism?
Probably not, as there are no records to indicate that.
And another poster also made this.
From the 50s to the the time of her death, Audrey Hepburn was very active with the UNICEF, more especially in Africa and South America.
I don't know if she was racist, but if so, she was very good at hiding it.
Both posted ont he same question asked from Quora. Since my account is so new I can't share links yet but you can find the discussion on Quora titled as.
Was Audrey Hepburn racist?
I'm just a casual and neutral observer who came upon this and only seen reruns of Breakfast at Tiffany's and nothing else. So I have no feeling other than being intrigued by the Quorans' hot takes as I have seen about her reputation for charity work from Youtube videos I stumble upon out of boredom. -
️ Christina 1986-05-20 
— 1 year ago(June 12, 2024 06:59 PM)People are racist or not in different ways and how depending on their own.
½ S/N Asian (40%+ Chinese) ½ Norwegian/Danish-Irish Swiss (Amish/PA) German French Dutch? French+Dutch Celtic-Irish English-Irish?
..? -
CountJohn — 1 year ago(June 18, 2024 10:33 PM)
This is so dumb. Not saying anything about Jewish people doesn't make you racist and she can date whoever she wants. Should also be noted she was offered the role in Sayonara in yellowface and turned it down so being in the movie doesn't mean she approved of Rooney's yellowface.