Actor Morgan Freeman ripped Black History Month as an “insult” during an April 15 interview with The Sunday Times.
Freeman joined the paper to discuss his new movie, “A Good Person,” and spoke about comments he made in 2005, in which he said the only way to eradicate racism was to stop talking about it. The interviewer asked Freeman if he feels the same today.
“Two things I can say publicly that I do not like,” Freeman said, according to the interview. “Black History Month is an insult. You’re going to relegate my history to a month?”
“Also, ‘African-American’ is an insult. I don’t subscribe to that title,” he continued.
AL KHOR, QATAR – NOVEMBER 20: Morgan Freeman performs during the opening ceremony prior to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group A match between Qatar and Ecuador at Al Bayt Stadium on November 20, 2022 in Al Khor, Qatar. (Elsa/Getty Images)
Freeman said he doesn’t understand why black Americans use the term “African-American” to identify themselves. (RELATED: ‘Would You Want Morgan Freeman To Die In Prison’: Fetterman Invokes Film When Asked If Murderers Deserve Clemency)
“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?” Freeman 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.”
Freeman then added he does not want to be defined as just black.