Hollywood legend Morgan Freeman recently spoke out about his journey as an actor during the civil rights movement and the need for Black history to be acknowledged year-round, not just for one month.
In an interview with The Sunday Times, Freeman attributed his success to a combination of bravery and luck, as well as the changes that occurred in America during his lifetime.
According to Freeman, there were no Black male actors in movies when he was growing up, and if there was one, he was only there for comic relief.
It wasn’t until Sidney Poitier came along that Freeman and other young people like him felt inspired to pursue acting. Freeman himself went on to become an Oscar-winning actor, starring in numerous films, such as Million Dollar Baby, Invictus, The Dark Knight, Se7en, Driving Miss Daisy, and most recently, A Good Person, alongside Florence Pugh.
Throughout his decades-long career, Freeman has previously addressed racism in the industry and society.
Interview with CBS‘ Mike Wallace
When The Sunday Times asked him about comments he made in 2005 during an interview with CBS‘ Mike Wallace, where he said the only way to help stop racism was to stop talking about it, he responded, “Two things I can say publicly that I do not like. Black History Month is an insult. You’re going to relegate my history to a month?”
He continued, “Also ‘African-American’ is an insult. I don’t subscribe to that title. 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’. What does it really mean? 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 added that people would talk about Irish-Americans or Italian-Americans, but not Euro-Americans.
Denzel Washington is another actor who has made a significant impact in the industry.
He is a friend of Freeman, who is also “very envious” of the career the Remember the Titans star has built.
The interviewer asked the actor from Angel Has Fallen for his opinion on a statement made by Washington, which said, “I’m very proud to be Black, but Black is not all I am.” Freeman replied, “I agree completely with that statement.” You can’t define me that way.”
While there continue to be fights for justice and people’s rights across the nation, Freeman added that in this present day, there has been a change in the industry. “All people are involved now,” he explained. “Everyone. LGBTQ, Asians, Black, white, interracial marriages, interracial relationships. All represented. You see them all on screen now and that is a huge jump.”