Morgan Freeman has criticised Black History Month, saying he “detests” it.
The Oscar-winning actor, known for roles in The Shawshank Redemption and The Dark Knight trilogy, shared his feelings on the event, which takes place in February in the US and marks the history and achievements of African-Americans.
Speaking in a new interview with Variety, Freeman said the idea makes his “teeth itch”.
“I detest it,” he said. “The mere idea of it. You are going to give me the shortest month in a year? And you are going to celebrate ‘my’ history?! This whole idea makes my teeth itch. It’s not right.
“My history is American history. It’s the one thing in this world I am interested in, beyond making money, having a good time and getting enough sleep.”
Morgan Freeman attends the Opening Ceremony during the 63rd Monte-Carlo Television Festival. CREDIT: Getty/Arnold Jerocki/WireImage
This isn’t the first time the actor has spoken out against Black History Month, the star admitting last year that he finds the idea and the term African-American an “insult”.
“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 told The Sunday Times’s Culture magazine.
“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?” he further questioned. “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.”
In other news, last year Freeman was among the cast members confirmed to be returning for the third film in the Now You See Me franchise, alongside Woody Harrelson and Jesse Eisenberg, with the actor set to reprise his role as Thaddeus Bradley.
The post Morgan Freeman tears into Black History Month: “I detest it” appeared first on NME.
