Idris Elba Insists He’s Not A Black Actor

Those who obsess over race usually end up being racists. In a bold move by the British actor, he surprisingly announced that he’s dropping the “black” in front of his profession. Of course it had to come with some backlash since some people will live and die where race stands, but many commended him on the move.

Idris Elba – Tells People Who Don’t Agree With Him To “Rant Over”

During a recent interview with Esquire UK published Wednesday, Feb. 8, Idris Elba, 50, opened up about how being identified by his race puts him “in a box” and why we should focus on our similarities rather than our differences.

“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,” Elba told the publication of how separatism in Hollywood can hold black creatives back.

He continued: “As humans, we are obsessed with race. And the obsession can really hinder people’s aspirations, hinder people’s growth.”

Even though he is one of the most prominent black actors, the “Beast” star insisted that labelling him by his race limits him.

For Elba, “racism is very real”, but “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,” he said.

At another part in the interview, Elba revealed that he didn’t get into the acting career to break barriers for the black community, but did it because it was something he was interested in.

“I did it because I thought that’s a great profession and I could do a good job at it,” he explained. “As you get up the ladder, you get asked what it’s like to be the first Black to do this or that. Well, it’s the same as it would be if I were white. It’s the first time for me. I don’t want to be the first Black. I’m the first Idris.”

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Idris Elba – Clarifies His Comments About Not Identifying As A “Black Actor” Following Online Backlash

Following the backlash caused by his insistence that being identified by his race is limiting, the “Three Thousand Years of Longing” actor took to Twitter to clarify his comments.

He wrote: “There isn’t a soul on this earth that can question whether I consider myself a BLACK MAN or not. Being an ‘actor’ is a profession, like being an ‘architect’ ,they are not defined by race. However, If YOU define your work by your race, that is your Perogative. Ah lie?”

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