Idris Elba clarifies why he no longer calls himself a ‘Black actor’

Idris Elba felt the need to clarify a recent quote he shared, where he talked about no longer wanting to identify himself as a Black actor.

After the backlash he received, Elba took to Twitter to clarify his remarks. In the tweet, he said that he does consider himself a Black man, as he added that actors are not defined by race.

In the interview, the London-born star, 50, revealed how he thought the Black actor label put him in a ‘box’, and that an ‘obsession’ with race can hinder aspirations and growth.

Some three days after the interview dropped, the Luther star decided to take to Twitter and elaborate on his quote, all while making sure everyone knowns he’s a proud Black man.

‘There isn’t a soul on this earth that can question whether I consider myself a BLACK MAN or not.Being an “actor” is a profession, like being an “architect”, they are not defined by race. However, If YOU define your work by your race, that is your Perogative. Ah lie?’Idris Elba tweeted

The Golden Globe winning actor addressed racism in Hollywood and beyond, and the need we all have to improve as humans, no matter the color of your skin.

‘’Racism is very real,’’ he said at the time. ‘’But from my perspective, it’s only as powerful as you allow it to be.’’

Talking during live-streamed discussion about the Black Lives Matter movement, the actor said: ‘Success has not negated racism for me. Asking me about racism is like asking me about how long I have been breathing.’

Idris Elba is currently promoting his upcoming Netflix film ‘Luther: The Fallen Sun’. The film will release in theatres on February 24. It will also stream on Netflix on March 10.