--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: At 50, I thought proudly: Here we are…" description: "\"At 50, I thought proudly: Here we are, half century! Being 60 was fairly frightening. You want to know how I spent my 70th birthday? I put on a complet..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15b/bette-davis-2218_afros_at-50-i-thought-proudly-here-we-are-half_3126359.jpg" --- # At 50, I thought proudly: Here we are, half century! Being… ![“At 50, I thought proudly: Here we are, half century! Being 60 was fairly frightening. You want to know how I spent my 70th birthday? I put on a completely black face, a fuzzy black Afro wig, wore black clothes and hung a black wreath on my door.” quote by Bette Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15b/bette-davis-2218_afros_at-50-i-thought-proudly-here-we-are-half_3126359.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15b/bette-davis-2218_afros_at-50-i-thought-proudly-here-we-are-half_3126359.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15b/bette-davis-2218_afros_at-50-i-thought-proudly-here-we-are-half_3126359.jpg) > “At 50, I thought proudly: Here we are, half century! Being 60 was fairly frightening. You want to know how I spent my 70th birthday? I put on a completely black face, a fuzzy black Afro wig, wore black clothes and hung a black wreath on my door.” [Bette Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-davis/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Reflects on aging, humor, and confronting mortality with theatrical flair **In simple terms:** Aging can be faced with humor and theatricality Key Takeaway Embrace age with creative expression Themes aging humor self‑expression Mood playful reflective Type personal cultural When to use this quote - birthday parties - theatrical performances - personal rituals - public speaking Key Concepts performance art identity mortality Questions to Reflect On - How does humor change your perception of aging? - What role does performance play in confronting mortality? A Different Perspective May be seen as self‑indulgent or disrespectful to serious aging discussions ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [70Th Birthday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/70th-birthday-2997626/) [Afros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afros/) [Birthday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/birthday/) [Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black/) [Black clothes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black-clothes/) [Black face](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black-face/) [Black Wreath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black-wreath-5510874/) [Century](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/century/) [Clothes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clothes/) [Doors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doors/) [Faces](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faces/) [Frightening](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/frightening/) [Fuzzy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fuzzy/) [Half](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/half/) [Half Century](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/half-century/) [Hung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hung/) [Know how](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/know-how/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Spent 70Th](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spent-70th-5510872/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) [Wig Wore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wig-wore-5510873/) [Wigs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wigs/) [Wore Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wore-black-341465/) [Wreaths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wreaths/) ## Related quotes > [“I stayed indoors most of the time, which kept my skin very white. 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"Generations to come, it may well be, will scarce believe that such a man as this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/on-the-occasion-of-mahatma-gandhi-s-70th-birthday-generations-to-come/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [Wen I was a kid, I always thought people draped in black clothes are the bad guys.now I m older and black is my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-manjare/wen-i-was-a-kid-i-always-thought-people-draped-in-black-clothes-are/) [Abhijit Manjare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-manjare/) > [“Is there somewhere Maria could go?” I ask in a very small voice. “Maybe”--I have a flash of inspiration--“maybe a nunnery?” Luca’s face goes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-henderson/is-there-somewhere-maria-could-go-i-ask-in-a-very-small-voice-maybe-i/) [Lauren Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-henderson/) > [“Oh come on ,'Pheobe continued. 'You're asking for it. Pale skin, black clothes, no lunch and that whole brooding thing? It's hilarious. You should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robyn-schneider/oh-come-on-pheobe-continued-you-re-asking-for-it-pale-skin-black/) [Robyn Schneider](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robyn-schneider/) > [I'm drawn to black clothes. I say I'm inspired by the wrestler The Undertaker because there's something about wearing black that makes me feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-sturridge/i-m-drawn-to-black-clothes-i-say-i-m-inspired-by-the-wrestler-the/) [Daniel Sturridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-sturridge/) > [An Assassin, a real Assassin had to look like one-black clothes, hood, boots, and all. If they could wear any clothes, any disguise, then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/an-assassin-a-real-assassin-had-to-look-like-one-black-clothes-hood/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [Just because you weaer black clothes doesn't mean you are emo or goth, Just because you listen to screamo or rock doesn't mean you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winterrose-warner/just-because-you-weaer-black-clothes-doesn-t-mean-you-are-emo-or-goth/) [Winterrose Warner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winterrose-warner/) > [“When she first saw him, she took him for a ghost. His jet-black hair fluttered in the breeze as he walked, letting her see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-m-lyons/when-she-first-saw-him-she-took-him-for-a-ghost-his-jet-black-hair/) [Amanda M. Lyons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-m-lyons/) > [I'd spent way more years worrying about how to look like a poet -- buying black clothes, smearing on scarlet lipstick, languidly draping myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-karr/i-d-spent-way-more-years-worrying-about-how-to-look-like-a-poet/) [Mary Karr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-karr/) > [“Desmond ushered the man inside. He was stooped and ugly, with an unkempt beard and unwashed clothes, yet Father greeted him pleasantly and asked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/desmond-ushered-the-man-inside-he-was-stooped-and-ugly-with-an/) [George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/) > [There's no Chanel collection without black. (It) will never exist. Who can live without some black clothes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-lagerfeld/there-s-no-chanel-collection-without-black-it-will-never-exist-who/) [Karl Lagerfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-lagerfeld/) > [Everybody was wearing rhinestones, all those sparkly clothes, and cowboy boots. I decided to wear a black shirt and pants and see if I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/everybody-was-wearing-rhinestones-all-those-sparkly-clothes-and/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [I generally wear a lot of black clothes, and I think that comes from wanting to be as neutral as possible. We use a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-smith/i-generally-wear-a-lot-of-black-clothes-and-i-think-that-comes-from/) [Dan Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-smith/) ## More by Bette Davis > [In this business, until you're known as a monster you're not a star.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-davis/in-this-business-until-you-re-known-as-a-monster-you-re-not-a-star/) [Bette Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-davis/) > [You will never be happier than you expect. To change your happiness, change your expectation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-davis/you-will-never-be-happier-than-you-expect-to-change-your-happiness/) [Bette Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-davis/) > [The male ego with few exceptions is elephantine to start with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-davis/the-male-ego-with-few-exceptions-is-elephantine-to-start-with/) [Bette Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-davis/) > [“Oh Jerry, don't let's ask for the moon. We have the stars. - Now, Voyager”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-davis/oh-jerry-don-t-let-s-ask-for-the-moon-we-have-the-stars-now-voyager/) [Bette Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-davis/) > [Almost as many inhumanities are committed in the name of love as in the name of religion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-davis/almost-as-many-inhumanities-are-committed-in-the-name-of-love-as-in/) [Bette Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-davis/) > [I have eyes like a bullfrog, a neck like an ostrich and long, limp hair. You just have to be good to survive with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-davis/i-have-eyes-like-a-bullfrog-a-neck-like-an-ostrich-and-long-limp-hair/) [Bette Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-davis/) > [Dramatic art in her opinion is knowing how to fill a sweater.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-davis/dramatic-art-in-her-opinion-is-knowing-how-to-fill-a-sweater/) [Bette Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-davis/) > [I do not regret one professional enemy I have made. Any actor who doesn't dare to make an enemy should get out of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-davis/i-do-not-regret-one-professional-enemy-i-have-made-any-actor-who/) [Bette Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-davis/) > [I never did pal around with actresses. Their talk usually bored me to tears.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-davis/i-never-did-pal-around-with-actresses-their-talk-usually-bored-me-to/) [Bette Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-davis/) > [The secret of marriage is: separate bedrooms and separate bathrooms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-davis/the-secret-of-marriage-is-separate-bedrooms-and-separate-bathrooms/) [Bette Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-davis/) > [I was never very interested in boys - and there were plenty of them - vying with one another to see how many famous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-davis/i-was-never-very-interested-in-boys-and-there-were-plenty-of-them/) [Bette Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-davis/) > [The only way you can become a legend is in your coffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-davis/the-only-way-you-can-become-a-legend-is-in-your-coffin/) [Bette Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-davis/) > [If Hollywood didn't work out, I was prepared to be the best secretary in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-davis/if-hollywood-didn-t-work-out-i-was-prepared-to-be-the-best-secretary/) [Bette Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-davis/) > [Everybody has a heart. Except some people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-davis/everybody-has-a-heart-except-some-people/) [Bette Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-davis/) > [I've been lucky. I'll be lucky again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-davis/i-ve-been-lucky-i-ll-be-lucky-again/) [Bette Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-davis/) [Explore all 176 Bette Davis quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-davis/) ## More Afros quotes > [Adam Clayton Powell's entire political career has to be looked at in the entire context of the American history and the history of, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/adam-clayton-powell-s-entire-political-career-has-to-be-looked-at-in/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [I always thought he gave me that name because I have a kind of outgoing or sunny disposition. And in those days I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/surya-das/i-always-thought-he-gave-me-that-name-because-i-have-a-kind-of/) [Surya Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/surya-das/) > [Malcolm X broke with the N.O.I. in March 1964, and in that last 11 chaotic months, he spent most of the time outside of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manning-marable/malcolm-x-broke-with-the-n-o-i-in-march-1964-and-in-that-last-11/) [Manning Marable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manning-marable/) > [The final test of Afro-American studies will be the extent to which they rid the minds of whites and blacks alike of false learning,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-saunders-redding/the-final-test-of-afro-american-studies-will-be-the-extent-to-which/) [Jay Saunders Redding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-saunders-redding/) > [When I say Afro-American aesthetic, I'm not just talking about the United States, I'm talking about the Americas. People in the Latin countries read…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ishmael-reed/when-i-say-afro-american-aesthetic-i-m-not-just-talking-about-the/) [Ishmael Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ishmael-reed/) > [The miscegenation laws of the South only operate against the legitimate union of the races; they leave the white man free to seduce all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-miscegenation-laws-of-the-south-only-operate-against-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The hearts of Afro-American women are too warm and too large for race hatred. Long suffering has so chastened them that they are developing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fannie-barrier-williams/the-hearts-of-afro-american-women-are-too-warm-and-too-large-for-race/) [Fannie Barrier Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fannie-barrier-williams/) > [I had the afro when I was in high school. I had the flattop during a short period in the early '90s. And I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-meadows/i-had-the-afro-when-i-was-in-high-school-i-had-the-flattop-during-a/) [Tim Meadows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-meadows/) > [Even his hair was bigger—a massive globe of blue-black frizz so thick that his lobster-claw horns appeared to be drowning as they tried to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/even-his-hair-was-bigger-a-massive-globe-of-blue-black-frizz-so-thick/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [Music really influenced me when I was growing up. I did go through a Jimi Hendrix phase. My hair was naturally quite afro, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-mccrory/music-really-influenced-me-when-i-was-growing-up-i-did-go-through-a/) [Helen McCrory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-mccrory/) > [The Afro-American is not a bestial race. If this work can contribute in any way towards proving this, and at the same time arouse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ida-b-wells/the-afro-american-is-not-a-bestial-race-if-this-work-can-contribute/) [Ida B. Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ida-b-wells/) > [Afro-Caribbean influences are in me as a creative being the same way Spanish influences were in Picasso's work. I think the notion of labels…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garth-fagan/afro-caribbean-influences-are-in-me-as-a-creative-being-the-same-way/) [Garth Fagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garth-fagan/) > [The common goal of 22 million Afro-Americans is respect as human beings, the God-given right to be a human being. Our common goal is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/the-common-goal-of-22-million-afro-americans-is-respect-as-human/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [In Italy, I had an Afro, and a lot of the kids came up and felt my hair. It really was funny. I wish…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sugar-ray-leonard/in-italy-i-had-an-afro-and-a-lot-of-the-kids-came-up-and-felt-my-hair/) [Sugar Ray Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sugar-ray-leonard/) > [The separating of a section of America for Afro- Americans is similar to expecting a heaven in the sky somewhere after you die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/the-separating-of-a-section-of-america-for-afro-americans-is-similar/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) [Browse all 77 Afros quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afros/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "At 50, I thought proudly: Here we are, half century! Being 60 was fairly frightening. You want to know how I spent my 70th birthday? 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