Idris Elba Clarified His Comments After Saying He No Longer Calls Himself a “Black Actor”

[hewontgo]

Idris Elba Responds to Debate Over the Star Saying He No Longer Calls Himself a “Black Actor” https://t.co/W8HGYwkPEh
- The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) February 11, 2023
Idris Elba is addressing social media debate after saying he no longer describes himself as a Black actor because he found he was put “in a box.” On Twitter he clarified his recent

Comments

[totteringg]

John Boyega had a good response to this
I think we should fixate on who is typecasting and putting actors in boxes because of this. Not on making weird adjustments for them. We continuously focus on what we have to do so they don't do this or that. Very worrying. We BLACK and that's that. https://t.co/E0sBLJOBIR
- John Boyega (@JohnBoyega) February 10, 2023

[ladyserenity84]

John said it perfectly, tbqh.

[toxic_illusion]

I love this. While I’m not black, I’m a Latina, I can understand where Idris comes from from a brown perspective. The issue, I feel, is that we should have these conversations within ourselves and our respective communities. Once we involve people who aren’t us, it’s going to get misconstrued.

So on a macro level, John is absolutely right. The focus needs to be on the people who are doing the typecasting. They’re the ones that need to change, not Idris, John, or other black actors

[ambularex]

John is so right. As a black person I’m tired of constantly having to adjust myself so I can outgrow this “box.” Maybe it’s time for the ones doing it to us to change how they treat and see black people.

[aleksie]

He has so many perfect responses.

I get boxed in as an East Asian American woman in my workplace that has nothing to do with acting- I think it's pervasive no matter the industry