Finding Me, Viola Davis’s memoir published in 2022, recounts her extraordinary journey from the depths of poverty to the heights of Hollywood stardom. In her memoir, Davis explains how acting served as a driving force in her life and a means to self-realization, and she writes candidly about her resilience in the face of poverty, abuse, and racial discrimination. Through her story, Davis addresses broader themes of generational trauma, racism, perseverance, and the challenge of learning self-love in a world that doesn’t always love you back.
Davis is...
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According to Davis, there’s a representative story from her childhood that’s shaped much of her life. When she was in third grade, she would race home from school every day chased by a group of mostly white boys. The boys would run after her, throwing bricks and stones, calling her the n-word, and telling her how ugly she was. When Viola told her mother, her mom said that Viola had to stop running and stand up for herself. And the next day, she did.
But, as Davis explains, she still sometimes feels like that little girl—always running, trying to fit in, and believing herself unworthy. According to Davis, her life’s work has been about learning to love herself and acknowledging the beauty and strength of her younger self.
The Long-Term Impact of Racial Trauma
Throughout the memoir, Davis explores how experiences of racial trauma have impacted her self-perception and identity. In Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?, psychologist and educator Beverly Tatum discusses how [experiences of...
While Davis is committed to supporting others, she speaks often about the importance of self-love and prioritizing your own wants and needs. Davis candidly reflects on her struggles with self-esteem and feelings of inadequacy rooted in the racism and trauma she experienced, especially as a young child.
Davis emphasizes the significance of setting boundaries, prioritizing self-care, and embracing vulnerability as key components of self-love. She also discusses the importance of therapy and self-reflection in the healing process. She shares how seeking professional help allowed her to confront and heal from both the immediate and long-lasting effects of trauma. Through therapy, Davis gained tools to address the negative patterns and behaviors that stemmed from her traumatic experiences, allowing her to break...
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In Finding Me, Viola Davis shares her journey navigating the complex landscape of Hollywood, shedding light on the broader issue of representation in media, especially for Black women.
Reflect on the current landscape of media and entertainment. How are Black women represented in the movies, TV shows, and other media you consume? Are these representations generally positive, negative, or stereotypical? Give examples to support your observations.
Self-love is the central theme of Davis’s memoir. She has been quoted as saying, “you are the love of your life.”
Reflect on the idea that "you are the love of your life." What does this mean? What would it look like to treat yourself like the love of your life?
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