A couple months ago, Idris Elba explained that he was no longer referring to himself as a ‘black actor’ because of the limitations he thought it put on his career, and that didn’t sit well with the type of people who like to highlight skin colour every time an actor or artist does something notable.
This week, 50-year-old Idris has addressed the backlash in an interview with The Guardian, saying the following:
In this day and age, it’s really difficult to have an opinion if you’re in the public eye because it gets overly scrutinised, taken out of context, thrown into some sort of bullshit, zeitgeisty social media argument.
Me saying I don’t like to call myself a black actor is my prerogative. That’s me, not you. So for you to turn around and say to me, I’m ‘denying my blackness.’ On what grounds? Did you hear that? Where am I denying it? And what for? It’s just stupid.
In the original interview with Esquire, The Wire and Luther legend said:
Of course, I’m a member of the Black community. You say a prominent one. But when I go to America, I’m a prominent member of the British community. ‘Oh, U.K.’s in the house!’ If we spent half the time not talking about the differences but the similarities between us, the entire planet would have a shift in the way we deal with each other.
As humans, we are obsessed with race. And that obsession can really hinder people’s aspirations, hinder people’s growth. Racism should be a topic for discussion, sure. Racism is very real. But from my perspective, it’s only as powerful as you allow it to be. I stopped describing myself as a Black actor when I realized it put me in a box. We’ve got to grow. We’ve got to. Our skin is no more than that: it’s just skin. Rant over.
It’s always nice when a celebrity shuts down this kind of “woke” backlash rather than backtrack or apologise, so fair play to Idris on that. Of course the guy doesn’t need to distinguish himself as a black actor, or a British actor for that matter. That’s what was so cool about Luther – the character wasn’t a black homicide detective, he was just a homicide detective who happened to be black. Why make it a big deal or any type of deal at all?
Idris Elba Responds To Criticism After Not Calling Himself A ‘Black Actor’
Share:
A couple months ago, Idris Elba explained that he was no longer referring to himself as a ‘black actor’ because of the limitations he thought it put on his career, and that didn’t sit well with the type of people who like to highlight skin colour every time an actor or artist does something notable.
This week, 50-year-old Idris has addressed the backlash in an interview with The Guardian, saying the following:
In the original interview with Esquire, The Wire and Luther legend said:
It’s always nice when a celebrity shuts down this kind of “woke” backlash rather than backtrack or apologise, so fair play to Idris on that. Of course the guy doesn’t need to distinguish himself as a black actor, or a British actor for that matter. That’s what was so cool about Luther – the character wasn’t a black homicide detective, he was just a homicide detective who happened to be black. Why make it a big deal or any type of deal at all?
It wasn’t that long ago the BBC’s Diversity Chief said Idris Elba’s Luther ‘isn’t black enough’ because he ‘doesn’t have black friends and doesn’t ear Caribbean food’. Sigh…
Share:
MF Jones
Most Popular
Unreal Video Of Man Being Attacked By Knife-Wielding Thugs In London Taxi, Uber Driver Saves His Life [NSFW]
Elon Musk’s Transgender Daughter Hits Back After He Claims He Was ‘Tricked’ Into Giving Her Puberty-Blockers
Jennifer Lopez Celebrates 55th Birthday By Nearly Breaking Instagram With New Thirst Trap Photo
Mum Of Jailed ‘Just Stop Oil’ Campaigner Complains Daughter Will Miss Brother’s Wedding After She Blocked M25
Police Officer At Manchester Airport Suspended After Video Of Man Being Kicked In The Head Goes Viral
21-Year-Old Black Girl From London Charged For Using ‘Racial Slur’ In A Tweet Directed At Alexander Isak
Elon Musk Says He Was ‘Tricked’ Into Putting Son On Puberty Blockers, Vows To Destroy The ‘Woke Mind Virus’
Kerry Katona Endorses Donald Trump For US President
Joey Barton Responds As He’s Charged With ‘Malicious Communications’ Over Tweet About Eni Aluko
Headteacher, 48, Pretends To Pass Out In Hilarious Arrest Video After Harassing 23-Year-Old Trainee Teacher
Racist Gets Knocked Out On The London Overground After Calling Passenger ‘Afro Man’
Hawk Tuah Girl Gets The Silent Treatment At Country Music Festival In Painfully Awkward Video
Jake Paul Brutally KO’s Mike Perry In Sixth Round, Calls Out Alex Pereira
Dubai Princess Divorces Husband Via Savage Instagram Post As She Accuses Him Of Cheating
Jay Slater’s Mum Asks People To Continue Donating To GoFundMe To Give Son ‘The Send-Off He Deserves’
Unreal Video Of Man Being Attacked By Knife-Wielding Thugs In London Taxi, Uber Driver Saves His Life [NSFW]
Unreal Video Of Man Being Attacked By Knife-Wielding Thugs In London Taxi, Uber Driver Saves His Life [NSFW]
Elon Musk’s Transgender Daughter Hits Back After He Claims He Was ‘Tricked’ Into Giving Her Puberty-Blockers
Elon Musk’s Transgender Daughter Hits Back After He Claims He Was ‘Tricked’ Into Giving Her Puberty-Blockers
Jennifer Lopez Celebrates 55th Birthday By Nearly Breaking Instagram With New Thirst Trap Photo
Jennifer Lopez Celebrates 55th Birthday By Nearly Breaking Instagram With New Thirst Trap Photo
Mum Of Jailed ‘Just Stop Oil’ Campaigner Complains Daughter Will Miss Brother’s Wedding After She Blocked M25
Mum Of Jailed ‘Just Stop Oil’ Campaigner Complains Daughter Will Miss Brother’s Wedding After She Blocked M25
Police Officer At Manchester Airport Suspended After Video Of Man Being Kicked In The Head Goes Viral
Police Officer At Manchester Airport Suspended After Video Of Man Being Kicked In The Head Goes Viral
21-Year-Old Black Girl From London Charged For Using ‘Racial Slur’ In A Tweet Directed At Alexander Isak
21-Year-Old Black Girl From London Charged For Using ‘Racial Slur’ In A Tweet Directed At Alexander Isak
Recommended articles
Unreal Video Of Man Being Attacked By Knife-Wielding Thugs In London Taxi, Uber Driver Saves His Life [NSFW]
Unreal Video Of Man Being Attacked By Knife-Wielding Thugs In London Taxi, Uber Driver Saves His Life [NSFW]
Elon Musk’s Transgender Daughter Hits Back After He Claims He Was ‘Tricked’ Into Giving Her Puberty-Blockers
Elon Musk’s Transgender Daughter Hits Back After He Claims He Was ‘Tricked’ Into Giving Her Puberty-Blockers
Jennifer Lopez Celebrates 55th Birthday By Nearly Breaking Instagram With New Thirst Trap Photo
Jennifer Lopez Celebrates 55th Birthday By Nearly Breaking Instagram With New Thirst Trap Photo