The Cookout

Princess El-Bey · 2/14/23

Idris Elba opens a Can of whoop ass with his “Im Not a Black actor” statement. #TeamIdris

John Boyega Reacts to Idris Elba Refusing to Call Himself a Black Actor: ‘We Should Fixate on Who’s Putting Actors Into Boxes’

Idris Elba ignited a firestorm on social media after he told Esquire UK that he has stopped calling himself a “Black actor” because it creates limitations for his career. While some acc…

variety.com

Jay · 2/14/23

I used to like #idriselba too but this was such a clumsy stupid ideological revealing statement. I will never ever NOT be a Black anything. What I want is for people to respect me and not typecast me for being Black. This negro sounded like he wanted to discard his Blackness to avoid the stigma attached to it.

Granted, I didn’t fully read his statement and its because things are going well for me and I don’t need any coon sentiments in my perimeter.

The “I am not a Black…” is enough for me.

ART · 2/14/23

Does this gif still apply to Black people who "transcended" Blackness?

GwynShivers · 2/14/23

Jay said:
I used to like #idriselba too but this was such a clumsy stupid ideological revealing statement. I will never ever NOT be a Black anything. What I want is for people to respect me and not typecast me for being Black. This negro sounded like he wanted to discard his Blackness to avoid the stigma attached to it.

Granted, I didn’t fully read his statement and its because things are going well for me and I don’t need any coon sentiments in my perimeter.

The “I am not a Black…” is enough for me.

I'm done too! 🖕🏽 He's claiming British & not Black! 🖕🏽
#PhuckYouIdiotElba

ART · 2/14/23

I'm not BLACK, I'm OJ.

(http://imgur.com/nAAqsGI)

The Honorable · 2/14/23

Anything for that James Bond role you were “too urban” for now Idris? #idriselba

Princess El-Bey · 2/14/23

When you work in a completely white world or white ran industry, your perspectives can get skewed if you’re not mindful. I completely understand where he’s coming from-within the context of white folks in the industry can’t see a black actor in a role made for white people…so for them, he’s putting them on notice..don’t do that to me.. To you! I should be an actor first when you’re handing out them millions!

Clearly, he’s not speaking from a pro-Black perspective, because only Black people can play every non-historical role with authenticity.

Princess El-Bey · 2/14/23

ART said:
Does this gif still apply to Black people who "transcended" Blackness?

Man!! When she said that.. 🥰🥰🥰

Jay · 2/14/23

Princess El-Bey said:
When you work in a completely white world or white ran industry, your perspectives can get skewed if you’re not mindful. I completely understand where he’s coming from-within the context of white folks in the industry can’t see a black actor in a role made for white people…so for them, he’s putting them on notice..don’t do that to me.. To you! I should be an actor first when you’re handing out them millions!

Clearly, he’s not speaking from a pro-Black perspective, because only Black people can play every non-historical role with authenticity.

But every Black person works in a White dominated industry, it’s just how close you are to the White people that differs. He loses me with these lines:

“racism is very real,” but he believes that “it’s only as powerful as you allow it to be.”

“I don’t want to be the first Black. I’m the first Idris.”

“Our skin is no more than that: it’s just skin. Rant over,”

He’s trying to distance himself from Blackness because he feels it’s holding him back. The first and last quote could be attributed to a White racist and it wouldn’t be inconsistent with their ideology.

Idris Elba says he no longer describes himself as a 'Black actor' as it put him in a 'box' | CNN

“Luther” star Idris Elba says he no longer refers to himself as a “Black actor” because the label put him in a “box” and an “obsession” with race can hinder aspirations and growth.

www.cnn.com

Georgiacarolina · 2/14/23

Jay said:
I used to like #idriselba too but this was such a clumsy stupid ideological revealing statement. I will never ever NOT be a Black anything. What I want is for people to respect me and not typecast me for being Black. This negro sounded like he wanted to discard his Blackness to avoid the stigma attached to it.

Granted, I didn’t fully read his statement and its because things are going well for me and I don’t need any coon sentiments in my perimeter.

The “I am not a Black…” is enough for me.

I like your honesty! Sometimes it just isn’t worth ruining your day.

Kanu · 2/14/23

Isn't black only used for african americans?

Jay · 2/14/23

Kanu said:
Isn't black only used for african americans?

False.

Troy · 2/14/23

Kanu said:
Isn't black only used for african americans?

You a troll ass nigga.

Kanu · 2/14/23

Troy said:
You a troll ass nigga.

Kanu · 2/14/23

Jay said:
False.

Troy said:
You a troll ass nigga.

Why do you think he's wrong by not accepting a term that was forced on him by white people?
There was never any group of people in the history of mankind who defined themselves as 'black'.

Georgiacarolina · 2/14/23

Kanu said:
Why do you think he's wrong by not accepting a term that was forced on him by white people?
There was never any group of people in the history of mankind who defined themselves as 'black'.

Okay. Black people in the USA don’t think that way or worry about it too much. I’ve heard Black Carribeans use it too, so I assume it isn’t an issue for them either. I think even Bob Marley sung about us as a Black people, as well as Africans.

I do notice some Africans are bothered by the term and don’t use it. Some get into hyper logical arguments about black being a color, Asians aren’t yellow therefore…Cool. But I know I’m not gonna stop referring to us that way (as well as Freedman and FBA) and I haven’t heard too many other Black folks complaining about it.

RCNAL · 2/14/23

I don't know if this applies to Idris Alba or not, but for many blacks in sports and entertainment, industries where they strive for money and fame, for some reason many who want that think that once they get to a certain level, racism either doesn't apply to them or affect any more or very little.

I recall Pharell tried that bullsh*t. When you are worth 80 milion, 100 million dollars you are in a whole different company of people. If you are famous everyone caters to you, even whites. You see white people begging for your autograph, you are 'loved' when you show up anywhere public. You get the false impression your fame and money has made you racism proof.

Then at some point you get a Negro wake up call and its on a higher level than us on here. Maybe you want to be James Bond as its iconic and you are too 'urban' .Maybe you are an A list, black comedian and they are trying to make you wear a dress.

Maybe you are a famous rapper on a yacht with people worth hundreds of millions or billions, high level government officials of other countries and the host publicly asks you to do one of your raps. (this really happened, I think Nas, but I'm not 100 percent sure but I definitely recall a famous rapper saying it).

You might famous people thinking you and them are so comfortable they can say 'My n*gga' to you (Jay Z and Kanye).

Anyway, you realize the racism and bigotry is just at a higher level than a white boy yelling the N bomb to you as you riding a bike in his neighborhood.

YOU CAN NEVER ESCAPE WHITE SUPREMACY.

GwynShivers · 2/15/23

Georgiacarolina said:
Okay. Black people in the USA don’t think that way or worry about it too much. I’ve heard Black Carribeans use it too, so I assume it isn’t an issue for them either. I think even Bob Marley sung about us as a Black people, as well as Africans.

I do notice some Africans are bothered by the term and don’t use it. Some get into hyper logical arguments about black being a color, Asians aren’t yellow therefore…Cool. But I know I’m not gonna stop referring to us that way (as well as Freedman and FBA) and I haven’t heard too many other Black folks complaining about it.

🎶Say It Loud, I'M BLACK & I'm Proud🎶! 1968
Black Power! ✊🏽1954
Black Excellence! 1960

Czharcus · 2/15/23

Jay said:
But every Black person works in a White dominated industry, it’s just how close you are to the White people that differs. He loses me with these lines:

“racism is very real,” but he believes that “it’s only as powerful as you allow it to be.”

He is demonstrating what he preaches.

To even say he is not calling himself black because that would pigeonhole him is literally giving racism the power to pigeonhole him. The fact that he is modifying himself/taking a stance against the label "black" to suit racism because it would pigeonhole him demonstrates the power he's giving to racism. If racism had no power over him, there would not have been a need to say this.

It's a good lesson, demonstrated.

Jay · 2/15/23

Czharcus said:
He is demonstrating what he preaches.

To even say he is not calling himself black because that would pigeonhole him is literally giving racism the power to pigeonhole him. The fact that he is modifying himself/taking a stance against the label "black" to suit racism because it would pigeonhole him demonstrates the power he's giving to racism.

It's a good lesson, demonstrated.

Great way of explaining it. He is showing the power of racism by him having to adjust his identity.

RCNAL · 2/15/23

When white people hear all that. I'm not black or don't want to be seen as black they keep a poker face but in their minds are saying 'Got 'em'.

'We keep disenfranchising him because he's black while he keeps not wanting to be seen as just black which helps our strategy'

Kanu · 2/15/23

Georgiacarolina said:
Okay. Black people in the USA don’t think that way or worry about it too much. I’ve heard Black Carribeans use it too, so I assume it isn’t an issue for them either. I think even Bob Marley sung about us as a Black people, as well as Africans.

I do notice some Africans are bothered by the term and don’t use it. Some get into hyper logical arguments about black being a color, Asians aren’t yellow therefore…Cool. But I know I’m not gonna stop referring to us that way (as well as Freedman and FBA) and I haven’t heard too many other Black folks complaining about it.

What does black even mean?

Terrymist · 2/15/23

Czharcus said:
He is demonstrating what he preaches.

To even say he is not calling himself black because that would pigeonhole him is literally giving racism the power to pigeonhole him. The fact that he is modifying himself/taking a stance against the label "black" to suit racism because it would pigeonhole him demonstrates the power he's giving to racism. If racism had no power over him, there would not have been a need to say this.

It's a good lesson, demonstrated.

Fair point, well made.

Georgiacarolina · 2/15/23

Kanu said:
What does black even mean?

We know what it means when it applies to us and that’s all that matters. This philosophical dissection…no.

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