Idris Elba has enlisted his name among the handful of British actors who have become a leading force in Hollywood. Throughout his career, Idris Elba has been part of many critically acclaimed projects and some of the biggest franchises in Hollywood, including Marvel’s Thor and its sequels, DC’s The Suicide Squad, and a Fast and Furious spinoff.
But the actor has stirred up some controversy around his name with his recent comments about his ethnicity. And the actor ignited severe heat around him after expressing his thoughts on race and how he didn’t want it to define his legacy as an actor.
Idris Elba doesn’t want to identify himself as a black actor
Idris Elba has become a household name after starring in many successful movies and popular franchises over the years and has garnered immense love and support from fans for his immaculate acting skills. But the actor’s recent statement about his skin color has garnered a colossal backlash.
The Suicide Squad actor started a firestorm on the internet after he told Esquire UK, that he has stopped identifying himself as a Black actor as he didn’t want to limit himself in a box. The actor clarified that race shouldn’t play a factor in one’s profession and should be judged by their skills instead. The Thor: Love and Thunder actor later responded to the criticisms by stating,
“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 prerogative. Ah, lie?”
Following his statements, many fans have come forward in support of The Suicide Squad actor, including the Stars Wars actor John Boyega, who too shared his support for the actor.
Twitter lambasts Idris Elba over his recent comments
Even though many have shared their support for the actor, Twitter hasn’t shied away from lambasting Elba for his controversial remarks. Netizens have shared their resentment over Elba’s recent statements about his race and have called out the actor for it.
I hear what you’re saying, however…
You are basically speaking from the fortunes you personally had/have despite the ugliness of racism. Which is a good thing!
Yet you seem to lump everyone into your experience… how sad. You are ignoring the sociological impact systemic
1/2— J Dykeman Brown (@BrownDykeman) February 12, 2023
Clearly I missed some context for this, but it seems like a lame attempt at whatever you were trying to say.
You have a platform you could use to make statements that would uplift a lot of people (especially those of color). Instead you chose to remain, essentially, neutral. 😕— SapphyreDragon (@SapphyrDragn) February 12, 2023
Go and look your black American fans in the face and tell them this.
They built you up and propelled you.
You wouldn’t be who you are today without Stringer Bell. You know full well that acting is not the same as being an architect. It is very much defined by race.
— Temitayo the Optimist ✨ (@Temitayomab) February 12, 2023
However an actor is a job that comes with representation. Just like being a politician, you speak for and represent many people at once every time you step on screen. To intentionally dissociate yourself from the people who you inspire is a slap in the face
— Teddy Freeman (@TheTeddyFreeman) February 11, 2023
I don’t recall anyone referring to him as a BA other than the Whyte folks specifically looking to hire a black actor. Funny, he didn’t have a problem when the role in WIRE called for a “BLACK” actor!🙄Idris’s issue is in his head! U don’t see Sam Jackson w/t issue. He jus acts!🤷🏾♀️
— A Social Critic (@critic_social) February 14, 2023
Apart from the backlash, many have agreed with Idris Elba’s viewpoint on the matter and believe that race shouldn’t play any factor in one’s success in any profession. And even though the actor has garnered a heap of criticisms after his statement, fans have been coming forward in defense of the actor against the backlash.
Source: Esquire UK
