Cool as ice actor Idris Elba — who I personally think would make a pretty awesome James Bond, just sayin’ — has come out and stated that he is not interested in being defined by the color of his skin in an interview published on Wednesday. This is so refreshing to hear, especially from someone with the level of clout Elba possesses in Hollywood. I truly hope that his attitude spreads to actors of all colors. A person’s melanin should not play any sort of role in determining their skill, worth, value, or pretty much anything else.
According to the Daily Wire, Elba, 50, shared his feelings on this topic during an interview conducted with Esquire U.K.
“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,” the “Beast” actor went to say during his chat with the publication. “As humans, we are obsessed with race. And that obsession can really hinder people’s aspirations, hinder people’s growth.”
Elba still thinks racism exists and is a problem, but stated that being obsessed with his own skin color was limiting for him.
“Racism is very real,” the actor added. “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.”
When the actor was asked if he considered himself to be a “member of the black community,” he responded by saying that it’s his British citizenry that’s recognized in America more than the color of his skin.
“You say a prominent one,” Elba stated. “But when I go to America, I’m a prominent member of the British community. ‘Oh, U.K.’s in the house!’”
He chatted a bit more about race saying, “I might be the first to look like me to do a certain thing. And that’s good to leave as part of my legacy. So that other people, black kids, but also white kids growing up in the circumstances I grew up in, are able to see there was a kid who came from Canning Town who ended up doing what I do. It can be done.”
Elba concluded the interview by stating that the issue of race was not a motivating factor for him to succeed in the entertainment industry.
“I did it because I thought that’s a great profession, and I could do a good job at it,” he went on to say about acting. “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.”
Color is such a silly thing to get hung up on, and that goes for those who really are racists — as many leftists are — and those who are on the left and obsessed with the topic.
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