February is Black History Month, a time to remember the hardships that African-Americans suffered throughout American History, and to celebrate the great strides that we’ve made as a country when it comes to race relations. But is it necessary? One prominent Hollywood actor says no.
In a 2005 interview on CBS’s 60 minutes, Academy Award winner Morgan Freeman was asked about his views on Black History Month, to which he replied, “[It’s] Ridiculous”.
“I don’t want a Black History Month. Black history is American history.” he told host Mike Wallace.
When Freeman was asked on his opinions of how to combat racism, he gave a blunt answer: “Stop talking about it. I’m going to stop calling you a white man, and I’m going to ask you to stop calling me a black man. I know you as Mike Wallace. You know me as Morgan Freeman.”
Several years later, in an interview with CNN’s Don Lemon, he stood firm on his beliefs and when asked if race was a limiting factor in one’s earnings potential he replied: “Today? No. You and I. We’re proof.”
In Freeman’s eyes the more race is mentioned, the more it actually becomes an issue. In the end an American is an American, no matter the color of his skin.
Now, if only we had more Freemans and less Sharptons around, the world might be a better place.
