MORGAN: WHAT AN ‘INSULT’
Hits Black Hist. Mo.
Morgan Freeman slammed the terms “Black History Month” and “African American” on Saturday, claiming that both were an “insult.”
The 85-year-old actor told The Sunday Times the annual observance — which takes place every February and recognizes the cultural achievements of black people — has a negative connotation to him and “relegates” his culture to just four weeks.
“Two things I can say publicly that I do not like,” said the “Million Dollar Baby” Oscar winner.
“Black History Month is an insult. You’re going to relegate my history to a month?”
“Also ‘African American’ is an insult. I don’t subscribe to that title,” Freeman said.
The “Shawshank Redemption” star said the widely accepted title was as offensive as the N-word.
“Black people have had different titles all the way back to the N-word and I do not know how these things get such a grip, but everyone uses ‘African American,’ ” Freeman said.
“What does it really mean?” he asked. “Most black people in this part of the world are mongrels. And you say Africa as if it’s a country when it’s a continent like Europe.”
He mentioned that Irish Americans or Italian Americans, are not referred to as Euro Americans.
Freeman also spoke about one of his first big roles, playing a pimp in the 1987 movie “Street Smart.”
“I was really terrified of being trapped,” he recalls about the prospect of being pigeonholed into a stereotypical role.
“It’s so easy to get trapped somewhere, I was very conscious of that.”
Freeman also was asked about a quote from Denzel Washington: “I’m very proud to be black, but black is not all I am.”
Freeman responded, “Yes, exactly. I’m in total agreement. You can’t define me that way.”
He added, “I am so very envious of Denzel’s career because he’s doing what I wanted to do.”
Freeman did acknowledge that progress has been made despite his film-industry criticisms.
“All people are involved now,” he said. “Everyone. LGBTQ , Asians, black, white, interracial marriages, interracial relationships. All represented. You see them all on screen now and that is a huge jump."