Shamika Cotton

thumb Shamika Cotton is an American actress from Cincinnati, Ohio. She is perhaps best known to television viewers as Michael Lee's drug-addicted mother Raylene Lee in the acclaimed HBO series The Wire. Quotes I first came to Pittsburgh early this year to do Citizens Market at City Theatre. And I was pleasantly surprised by the amazing artist and activist community here. So many great theatres and organizations that are doing the work and giving space for conversations and healing. And I absolutely love looking up at the hills and seeing the houses and buildings and trees. There’s something magical and expansive to me about it. It’s hard to put it into words. It’s just a very comforting and ethereal feeling I get. There are some amazing views –and bridges. This is sort of a tough question for me because I can think of one person, but I’ve never seen them openly identify with the LGBTQ community. We never really spoke about it. It was always this kind of unspoken thing. And I don’t know if they’ve found their “pride” in who they are, if you know what I mean. So I can’t be too specific in who this person is, in order to honor and respect their journey. But I will say, that they were and are always so supportive, loving and accepting of me. So much laughter and style. I definitely looked up to their sense of style and “joie de vivre” as a kid. Oh God, is that cliché? Oh, well, aren’t we all a bit of a cliché at times. I like to think that my life experiences and understanding of the realities of LGBTQ youth and community as a whole, is what drew me to the role. I was so grateful to play a character who was a beacon of light and hope. An example of the love and acceptance we need in this world. Feminism to me is recognizing and honoring the exquisite uniqueness that makes me feminine. Unapologetically showing up in life. Walking in a power and truth that I define. And being unafraid to change my mind. I feel like I am a little out of touch with the Soap world today. But I remember when I was in it, I was very disheartened by the lack of opportunities and story lines for people of color, as well as the lack of diversity behind the scenes. It was like, I was trying so hard to do more soap work, but there wasn’t really a place for me, Then, soaps started getting cancelled, which led to fewer opportunities. So I guess, I kind of changed my focus. I do, however, think diverse and inclusive representation in storytelling, is a major success factor for any TV show, whether it’s soap/daytime or primetime. Q&A: Actor Shamika Cotton on the ‘Female Gaze’ of Her African-Carribbean Feminist Spy Character, Marianne Angelle;By Sue on September 16, 2018 External links Category:Actresses from Cincinnati Category:Living people Category:African Americans