As a result of the Brown v. Board of Education court decision, Shange was bused to a white school where she endured racism and racist attacks.
For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf by Ntozake Shange
After gaining attention on stage in Ntozake Shange's For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf, Whitfield appeared in supporting roles in such films as Doctor Detroit (1983) and Silverado (1985).