Renowned actor Morgan Freeman has expressed his disapproval of Black History Month, stating that he “detests” the annual event and finds it insulting. The Oscar-winning star, known for his roles in films like The Shawshank Redemption and The Dark Knight trilogy, shared his thoughts on the matter during an interview with Variety.
Freeman criticized the idea of Black History Month as he feels it implies that African-American history is separate from American history, rather than being a vital part of it. He told journalist Marta Balaga, “I detest it. The mere idea of it makes my teeth itch.” Freeman’s dislike for the event stems from his belief that black history should be celebrated as part of America’s overall history and not limited to a single month.
In addition to expressing his disdain for Black History Month, Morgan Freeman has also previously criticized the term “African-American,” calling it an insult in an interview with The Sunday Times’ Culture magazine last year. He explained that black people have been given various titles throughout history, and he does not understand how terms like “African-American” gain such widespread acceptance.
Morgan Freeman’s opposition to Black History Month is not a new stance for the actor. In 2005, he told CBS’s 60 Minutes that he didn’t want a separate month for black history and suggested that talking about racism only serves to perpetuate it. Ten years later, in another interview, Freeman further expanded on his thoughts, encouraging people to accept their biases but make efforts towards acceptance and understanding.
Despite his criticism of Black History Month and the term “African-American,” Morgan Freeman remains an influential figure in Hollywood and continues to be a prominent voice advocating for equality and unity among all Americans.