the star of “Luther” Idris Elba says he no longer refers to himself as a “black actor” because the label has put him in a “box” and an “obsession” with race can get in the way of aspirations and growth.
In an interview with Esquire UK, the Golden Globe winner said that while he is a prominent member of the black community, this separatism in Hollywood can hold back artists.
“If we spent half the time not talking about the differences, but about the similarities between us, the entire planet would have a change in the way we deal with each other,” Elba told the publication.
“As humans, we are obsessed with race. And that obsession can really hide people’s aspirations, hide people’s growth.”
Elba is best known for his portrayals on the HBO series “The Wire” as well as the BBC crime series “Luther” .
His film credits include “The Beast”, “Once Upon a Genius”, “Mandela: Long Road to Freedom” It is “The Suicide Squad”.
For Elba, “racism is very real”, but he believes that “it is 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 have to grow. Our skin is nothing more than that: it’s just skin,” she said.
Elsewhere in the interview, Elba discussed his reasons for pursuing a career in entertainment, saying it was never about breaking barriers as a black man.
“I did it because I thought it was a great profession and I could do a good job in it,” he explained.
“As you climb the ladder, you are asked what it’s like to be the first black person to do this or that. Well, it’s the same as if I were white. It’s a first for me. I don’t want to be the first black. I am the first Idris.”
Elba can next be seen in the Netflix film, “Luther: Nightfall”, the big screen continuation of his beloved crime series “Luther” when it hits theaters on February 24.
Source: CNN Brasil
I’m Robert Neff, a professional writer and editor. I specialize in the entertainment section, providing up-to-date coverage on the latest developments in film, television and music. My work has been featured on World Stock Market and other prominent publications.
