Back in 2009-2010, there was a particularly disturbing story in the tabloids about Morgan Freeman. By “story,” I mean “tabloid reporting, including interviews, for several years.” The story was that Morgan Freeman was having some kind of affair with his step-granddaughter, and the affair destroyed his marriage and for a while, many believed that he would end up marrying the young woman. That story completely disappeared after several years. Then, during the height of Me Too, CNN reported on Freeman’s years of inappropriate behavior around female costars and colleagues. All of which to say, there’s a reason why we haven’t written about him in years. Well, Freeman has a role in Zach Braff’s new film, A Good Person. To promote the film, Freeman gave an interview and he talked about how much he hates “Black History Month” and the term “African-American.”
On Black History Month and the term “African American.” “Two things I can say publicly that I do not like. 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. 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? 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.”
On Denzel Washington’s quote “I’m very proud to be Black, but Black is not all I am.”: Freeman added: “Yes, exactly. I’m in total agreement. You can’t define me that way.”
He can’t be a chameleon anymore: “When my career started in film I wanted to be a chameleon. I remember De Niro early on doing very different parts. Almost unrecognizable as the same actor. I had opportunities like that. But as you mature in this business, eventually you become a star. Then you’re pretty screwed in terms of referring to yourself as a character actor. You play a lot of the same type of role — people hire you and say, ‘It’s you that I want.’ And you live with it. I don’t think I’ve done much in the last 10 years that was much different. ‘Driving Miss Daisy’ and ‘Glory’ were different. Now? It’s just…me. The character will adapt itself to you rather than the other way round, so I do what piques my interest. Sometimes it’s just the money alone.”
Regardless of all of the scandalous sh-t which has largely been buried, I think it’s fine that an 85-year-old actor is simply like “yeah, I play the same character constantly, what do you want, the money is good.” It’s the voice, really – his voice is so iconic, he got to the point where he couldn’t play those smaller character roles. As for “African-American” – it’s part of a larger conversation about how Black folks want to identify or not identify. It’s none of my business!
I also think every month should be Black History Month, or rather, Black history should be ingrained in all history education. But that’s what got Republican-led legislatures and Republican governors banning Toni Morrison for being “too woke.” Republicans are literally running for office on a platform of “don’t teach children Black history.” And they’re winning.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.
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- Actor Morgan Freeman arrives at the Los Angeles Premiere Of Lionsgate’s ‘Angel Has Fallen’ held at the Regency Village Theatre on August 20, 2019 in Westwood, Los Angeles, California, United States.,Image: 536932127, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: WORLD RIGHTS – Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Avalon.red – sales@avalon.red London: +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles: +1 (310) 822 0419 Berlin: +49 (0) 30 76 212 251, Model Release: no, Credit line: Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency / Image Press Agency / Avalon
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- WESTWOOD, CA – AUGUST 20: Lori McCreary (L) and Morgan Freeman attend the LA Premiere of Lionsgate’s “Angel Has Fallen” at Regency Village Theatre on August 20, 2019 in Westwood, California.,Image: 536936972, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: WORLD RIGHTS – Los Angeles Office (PCN): +1 310.822.0419 UK Office (Avalon): +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 sales@pacificcoastnews.com, Model Release: no, Credit line: Joe Sutter/PacificCoastNews / Avalon
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- Morgan Freeman and Margot Robbie present during The 95th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 12, 2023.,Image: 762333595, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: SI / Avalon
If he thinks Black History Months is bad, wait til he hears about International Women’s Day?!?!?
Black women exist as well Ang.
??? Yeah? I don’t understand your point. Did you think I was somehow excluding Black Women? How weird.
@Ang your comment was weird. Why did you even feel the need to bring up International Women’s Day as a comparison to Black History Month??
I think the point is not that Black History Month itself is bad but that Black history encompasses all history (as Kaiser says) and especially that of the United States so dedicating a “month” to it is insulting because it should be taught every day, the way white (and male) history is prioritized, but it is routinely ignored.
And in that way, I have similar feelings about International Women’s Day. Not a bad thing in itself but it’s terrible that it is seen as “niche”.
You’re missing the point.
She means clearly, if you think relegating history of a portion of the human population to just one MONTH is bad, try one DAY
(women get one freakin day for existing and contributing to life and history on earth)
White men really are a scourge.
And I also agree, that history is always interwoven, you cannot split out the timeline of one as if it were not contributing to, nor affected by, the others.
This is a symptom of someone wanting to hog the spotlight for whatever happens across time, that is remotely valuable (even when they didnt CAUSE it- example: results of the civil rights movement, white men sure are proud abut it, but it wasnt their campaign)
International Women’s Day may be one day but the U.S. has a Black History Month in February and a Women’s History Month in March.
I totally get your sarcasm.
It’s so cool that women get a whole day to celebrate ourselves. Yeah for us. Lol
I completely missed the step-grandaughter drama – and I thought I had my Ph.D. in gossip! Guess I’ll be doing some googling today.
I think about it ALL the time and wondered what happened to the coverage.
I don’t know if their “affair” was true but she was later murdered by a boyfriend.
Yes, her name was E’Dena Hines. I was thinking that whatever happened between her and Morgan Freeman, her story had ended so tragically.
I had no idea there was scandal surrounding Morgan Freeman, now it’s something I can’t unknow I will also be googling tonight.
I see his point. We should all just be categorized as simply human. No color distinction. Unfortunately we are not living in that world which is just a shame.
This is not his point at all. He´s not saying erase color. He’s saying stop segregating our history.
Sigh. SMH
I THINK I like what he says? As you said, however, K, it’s none of my business. What I tell my family and friends is exactly what you said Black history should be ingrained within American history. Black History = American History. Fucking duh. And all year ’round with several pivotal dates of celebrations within the year representing freedoms and people JUST. LIKE. WE. ALREADY. DO. This whole separation thing has gotten me so sick to my stomach. Makes me ill.
His questionable relationships aside and his use of the word mongrel, I agree with him. I don’t identify as African American, I prefer Black and yes please Black History is 365 days a year and until people stop being passive and lazy voters these Republicans who want to take all of us back to 1903 will continue to win.
He’s right. Signed a Black woman.
Co-signed, another Black woman. I think the well-meaning attempt years past to correct and give us “something” is part of the problem that’s led to the current issue. If it wasn’t segregated there would be no Black History month to protest or try to shut down. If it was appreciated and given it’s fair space in history and weaved in where it belongs from jump they wouldn’t be so offended by the woke and maybe the woke wouldn’t be getting folks bothered because they wouldn’t feel the need to point out inequalities and injustices that linger.
The problem with him saying these things is he has the right wing cheering him on just like what happened to Idris Elba when he said I’m not black I’m Idris.
The difference is that Morgan said he IS Black. Idris said he wasn’t. I don’t have a problem with what he said. He’s absolutely right.
What will happen when the Republicans declare that they will no longer recognize Black History Month?
HUH? How does that work exactly?
Given that Republicans always support measures that negatively impact Black communities, and that most of them are actively against teaching Black history anyway, the idea of them “declaring they will no longer recognize Black History Month” is not exactly a threat. Maybe you missed the “educators” in Texas who proposed teaching slavery in curriculums as “involuntary relocation”? Now, granted, the Board of Education there blocked it, but the support for that kind of thing is surprisingly large.
I’m Black. And I am well aware of what is going on. Thank you. I’m also tired of the idea of scaring Black folks out of having INSULAR conversations amongst ourselves as to how we identify and how we feel. The leap Amy Bee made about Black History Month, Republicans, and Morgan’s comments were frankly puzzling and my question was HOW do those two things correlate?? How does his stating that Black History is AMERICAN history and should be taught ALL YEAR Round = Republicans abolishing Black History Month?? So Black folks should be afraid to publicly talk about it just in case Republicans get mad and decide to “take our month away”?? Again How does that work exactly?
They’re already stripping away equal rights at colleges. Texas has a bill on the table about exactly this. Erasing diversity laws on campus.
Aren’t they placing some books on a banned list? Aren’t they screaming about CRT in schools? What’s to stop them from saying Black History month is divisive and will no longer recognized?
@ Amy Bee – Right, Republicans are definitely doing those things. They have been for a LONG time and the existence of Black History Month isn’t any kind of deterrent to them. They co-opt and misrepresent the words of somebody like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and then go on their merry way. Morgan Freeman’s input won’t have any impact on that at all.
Which was my point. And it’s silly to conflate Morgan saying how a LOT of us feel about Black History Month with what Republicans are doing as if they hold the same weight or are in any way comparable. They aren’t. I’m glad we agree on this.
@Ameerah – not sure if you were talking to me, but I meant to address Amy Bee with each of my comments, sorry to be unclear! I definitely agree!
No worries!
Ameerah: I never said Black people shouldn’t speak out. Until the US accepts Black people and black history as American History, I think it should stay. I don’t believe that Black History Month is an insult. It a remedy for the persistence of white supremacy in society.
Okay – and Morgan does think it’s an insult. As do LOTS of BLACK PEOPLE. And as a Black person who lives in this country and was born and raised, he is allowed to have nuanced feelings/opinions about it. MOST Black people do. I personally think it’s necessary – but I also think it’s utter BS and allows white folks to “other” Black history and Black people. Both things can be true at the same time.
Indeed. I liked what he said and I absolutely was proud of my fave Denzel for what he said. Yes, they are Black and proud of it but they are SO much more than this just like everyone else. We don’t diminish someone else to their green eyes, do qe? I think it’s truly a veiled insult to diminish someone to their skin colour.
@Ameerah you are entitled to your feelings but I think you are wrong. I don’t see how you think that going back to the non recognition of black achievement in this country is progress. We saw Joe “I’m Irish” Biden running all over Ireland having a good time and nobody except the Salty Islanders made a big deal about it.
My mom never got to participate in a Black History Month program but I did. I remember my mom coming to see me at school and being so proud when I gave a speech on A. Phillip Randolph. That meant something to her and to me. And it should mean something to the rest of America too. This erasure of blackness is not a good thing.
Please point to where I said that. Because I’m pretty sure I never did. Please do not put words in my mouth. I stated very clearly that I think Black History Month is necessary. I also very clearly stated that it’s BS that it has to exist at all. Because Black history is American history and should be taught DAILY – just like all other aspects of American history. Nowhere in ANY of my comments did I state I was for the erasure of Blackness. And neither did Morgan.
I don’t think its BS at all that it exists any more than its BS that we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day or Cinque De Mayo. Its a celebration of heritage and of history that has often been ignored. I think the BS is from the folks that are complaining about it. I think it is fantastic that we live in a country where other groups are celebrated.
You mentioned two days that were actually rooted in religion and a war victory. But okay. You’re entitled to your opinion. And I’m entitled to mine. And Morgan is entitled to his. Because Black folks aren’t a monolith.
I just looked up E’Dena Hines, the step granddaughter he had the affair with. She was stabbed to death in 2015!
I’m hoping this isn’t threadjacking since the original story is referenced at the top:
https://people.com/crime/morgan-freemans-granddaughter-edena-hines-stabbed-to-death-in-new-york-city/
No wonder we never heard anything else about that.
I was going to add this. The whole thing was a horrible story start to finish.
The allegation bout his step granddaughter, E’dena Hines, were completely false and there was nothing to substantiate them.
This rumor was also repeated by the man who brutally murdered E’dena Hines and again were unfounded.
I kind of agree? Why do white Americans get to be “American” but black Americans have to be “African” which doesn’t even fully capture ethnicity let alone race. As an “Asian” American I think it would be better just to call us all American and add ethnicity if you choose? Like give it a few more years we’re all gonna be beige anyway, these descriptors are going to become obselete.
Plenty of “white” Americans self identify as part of other ethnic groups. And yes i know, ethnicity and race are different. You can call yourself a turnip if that is what floats your boat. But identity matters, especially when not all “Americans” are treated equally.
The important part of what you said is “self identify.” No one sees a white person and defaults to calling them Italian-American. That is not so with Black Americans and it’s a problem. Just because my skin is dark, the public doesn’t get to assign me a highly problematic identity.
My “African-American” friends (as in first or second generation immigrants) don’t identify as AA. They identify with their country/culture of origin—Kenyan, Libyan, etc. Africa is not a monolith and all Black Americans are not happy for their skin color to have a monolithic identity foisted on them.
What part of Africa are my ancestors from? I don’t know because slave traders DGAF or keep records. I have no cultural ties to Africa. I’m a Black American. If you are comfortable self identifying as African American (whatever that even means) good for you, but no one gets to choose my identity for me. That’s why AA is an insult to many of us.
Preach!
Morgan Freeman is always saying some dumb shit about race. I guess him playing the voice of god has gone to his head. Go jump in the river.
I get what Morgan Freeman and Idris are trying to articulate but they are not saying it softly enough…. I hate the word mongrels.
No snark, why do they need to say it softly? The racists aren’t speaking softly. Why should we?
Not exactly on this topic but I had a few friends who worked with Freeman professionally and were contacted regarding the 2017/2018 CNN article.
The journalist made no attempt to hide the fact that the article was aiming to be the next big “take down” for the me-too movement.
More than one person felt the person interviewing them for the article was being pushy in order to get them to report something, anything, that could be considered inappropriate.
One woman did make mention of a brief interaction that was less than professional but not abusive or harassing, but the article made it sound sinister.
This is despite the fact the incident occurred in a group setting and all the other reports agreed it was not inappropriate.
And to make it clear – no ones experience are being minimized or denied – The group I know just had no personal or direct experience with inappropriate behavior to report
One word…..vote.
Learn about the candidates and vote in the primary elections not just the general.
As a Black woman, I agree with his comments. White presenting people get to just be American by the time they’re third or fourth generation. My family has been in this country for hundreds of years. I don’t have any more ties to Africa than the white lady across the street. What’s more, I don’t know and can’t find out genealogically what part of Africa my family originates from. I’m American and I’m Black. The end.
ALL OF THIS.
You are 100% correct. We really are our own ethnic group – Black Americans is actually more accurate.
@minorityreport If you ever do want to investigate, the dna companies like 23andMe can often pinpoint a country or region. (This is separate from the bulk of your comment but I wanted to note it since you said you couldn’t find out. That used to be true but huge steps have been taken. Just wanted to add that—no intent to step on your larger point.)
I’m aware, that’s why I specifically talked about genealogy. I can’t trace my ancestry through historical records, although I know a DNA test could tell me. It’s not the same to me because that’s my biology, but not my culture. That was stolen from my ancestors and from me.
@Ang Read it again, because that’s not what he said. He’s right, Black history is American history and it should be seemlessly included when teaching American History.
A lot of people fought hard for african american history month. I noticed he waited until rev. Jesse jackson was ill to say this.
Us american decendants of slavery are being slowly replaced anyway. In my city that used to be 70% african american, people look at me like a unicorn. Im aa and native american. Im almost 6ft tall, female, with a heart shape face. There use to be a lot more of us. Now, im like an alien.
There is also a battle because white people with %5 native trying to erase traditional depictions and replace them with white.
Black history month is needed.
He didn’t wait to say this. He’s been saying this for years.
“Most Black people in this part of the world are mongrels.”
Wait. I went to read the full article to see if there was any additional context. Am I reading this wrong? Is he saying he thinks most people in Africa are mongrels? I MUST be reading incorrectly because I only saw one other commenter on this thread commenting on it…
I think he’s saying that most Black people in the U.S. have ethnic heritage outside of African, so calling them “African American” is shortchanging the rest of their heritage.
“Mongrels” is… not the best word. I had a coworker who used to call herself a Heinz 57 baby. Same concept, but I don’t know if ketchup is better than dogs.
I think he is inartfully describing African Americans as mongrels because we have Europeoan blood as well, and are not of pure African descent – due to slavery. It was a poor word choice.
@TheHorrorFatale and @telily – Yes! This makes much more sense. I don’t know why that usage of the word eluded me. Plus the way it was written I couldn’t tell if he was talking about the US or Africa. Guess I had a late morning brain fart. Thank you.
I believe he’s saying few blacks in America are 100% African. Most are around 75% black, 23% European and maybe 2% Native American. And literally none of us know where in Africa we came from. And DNA tests usually show a mixed bag. My DNA test lists like 6 different African countries with the largest percentage being Nigerian. Doesn’t mean I feel any connection to Nigeria.
I’ve never considered myself “African” in any sense. I’m American through and through. A black American. My ancestors both black and white go back centuries in this country. I at least know that.
And I dare say ask a recent African immigrant to the US whether they consider themselves African American, they would say hell no. They consider themselves VERY different from us. And they’re right, completely different cultures.
I can remember debating with my BFF about what we should call ourselves. She was of the mindset that we were African American and would should say it proudly. I was of the mindset that I was an American and Black, and that was who I was. As far as BHM, I agree with that we should celebrate Black History all year long. But we know the rest of American society will not, so I have no issue with one month out of the year being designated as BHM. Racists can’t ignore it.
All I will say is Morgan made a documentary about how a Mississippi county has two proms: one for Black students and one for white students. When he found out about this, he offered to host and pay for one prom for everyone. The white parents declined. He made a documentary about that, and the pernicious racism inherent in how this country works NOW.
From that experience, he seems to have learned nothing. The desire to flatten our identity only benefits one group (whites), as well as ignores exactly why Black History Month/week first began in the 1926. BLACK people made this for ourselves. His desire to distance himself from that is misguided and frankly insulting to the history and legacy.
You can criticize the absence of the truth regarding the experiences and contributions of people of color to this country in the American curriculum without throwing the baby out with the bathwater and tacitly blaming people of color for the divisions created when whites invented racism, put themselves on top of the social hierarchy, and use everything in their power to remain there. Because they’re are extremely wedded to where whiteness places them, even the supposed liberals.
Because where does it end? Will we have to stop having HBCUs (as Ellen Pompeo said on The View)? Would we have to disband the NAACP? Would we have to disband professional organizations set up because Black people either weren’t allowed to join certain professional orgs or made uncomfortable when we did?
As a black woman I find this a bit dismissive on Mr. Freeman’s part. Carter G. Woodson initiated the first celebration Negro History Week which led to Black History Month for US. For Black Americans to have something to hold to and have pride in. We know intellectually that Black history IS American history. But we also know that there are racists trying to erase us for centuries and are still trying. There is no America without Black Americans.
It’s as though the default is “white male” so when anything falls outside those parameters, we label it. The point being, the default perspective shouldn’t be “white male.”
Overall Morgan freemen’s comments are giving – old man yelling at clouds – energy.
Let’s be real here – we have black history month, Hispanic heritage month, etc because otherwise it wouldn’t be recognized or taught here in America. Better to have something once a year than nothing at all. I’ll fucking gladly take it.
As it is like other commenters have said we are about 1/2 a step away from outlawing all of it if the Republicans get their way. They want everything white washed and they want to try to put forth a narrative that everyone kidnapped from Africa was chomping at the bit to get on those ships like it was a fucking Royal Caribbean vacation. Um no thanks. They want to make it sound like the Holocaust didn’t happen or that putting Japanese people in internment camps was A OK. Fuck off with that bullshit. All history – good bad and otherwise – needs to be taught so we don’t repeat mistakes. But good luck on that happening.
So while in a perfect world we should not need to do this, well guess what – this world is a fucking dumpster fire with people who will only feel superior by putting others down for their own agenda or ignorance or bullshit or for money and so here we are.
Honestly the aliens need to just come down and take the wheel. Humans are trash. Give me a Xenu like overlord at this point. Maybe Xenu will make better decisions.
My problem with African-American is it assumes the person is American. What if they’re from France? Or Somalia? Or really, ANY place else on Earth except America?
Or if they are Black and from Haiti or the Dominican Republic, etc, not an African country.
Then they arent included in african-american. Its not a catch all term.
I understand it’s not supposed to be a catch-all, but — just as an example — if the news reports on an unknown person, why describe them as “African-American” (which I have often heard) when they don’t know if it’s true or not? Like I said, it could be a person of perceived African ancestry, but from France for all we know. “African-American” should not be used to describe race or skin color, but it often is.
He’s also said that the best way to end racism is for black people to stop talking about it so he can go pound sand.
He’s definitely a Pick-Meesha. The white supremacist power structure is terrified of black solidarity.
That is what the civil rights movement was about, with Black Americans having the right to call themselves whatever they choose.
Maybe he does not want to talk about politics or engage with what is passed for debate.
Even when there was a common goal for liberation, there were never one path/way to get there, so this is nothing new.
In terms of being mixed, 2/3 rd of Black American males carry the white Y chromosome, irregardless of their hue.
Black women can give birth to straight up white passing to that beautiful brown. I see it in my family. No big deal.
This is an important issue. I’d like to make an analogy. I minored in Women’s Studies at SUNY Binghamton. Why? Because the “regular” curricula (history, economics, literature, etc.) so often marginalized, lied about or excluded women. I also took classes from Black Studies, specifically, literature written by black people. Why? Because the literature taught was full of the “classics,” which routinely excluded people of color and all women as authors. Why does the Schomburg Center exist in Harlem? Why do “regular” museums exclude or not prioritize the works of people of color? It’s a sexist, racist world. What’s wrong with carving out space for the people maligned, neglected, exploited, etc.? I get doing that and I’ve benefited by people highlighting and teaching about the “lost” and those who don’t “count.” I see the value of it. Delete these efforts, and will the mainstream then take up the slack? I don’t think so. What the mainstream values and does not is the cause of these “separation” movements, to give space to and celebrate the oppressed.
I don’t care what a dirty old man that slept with his granddaughter thinks. anyway , Morgan Freeman has always been a step and fetch it type dude. Anytime you have people of color criticizing attempts to center people of color, BE SUSPICIOUS! I’m African American and damn proud of it. I am a lot of other things, but if someone refers to me as African American, I’m good with it.
He’s right. There are no European-Americans, yet everyone else gets dumped under a generalizing simplistic group heading (African/Asian/Latin).
And yes, there is no English History Month either.
So not surprised this thread turned into a dumpster fire of the “I’m not like those other blacks” crew that like to appease white people, people who pretend to be black online to make regressive claims, and the “why can’t we all just be American” model minorities.
Meanwhile, black history is being rewritten to prevent white people from feeling bad about themselves, that is, when books and lessons that mention it aren’t being removed from schools and public libraries alike.
Also, I’m sick to death of black people who shit all over those who use African American as their identity. Trying to carve out an identity in place of the one that was stolen from you is not worthy of derision. Being snarky towards people because Africa is a continent, not a country, is a dick move considering the reason people can’t identify a specific country is because slave traders weren’t keeping genealogy records (no snark for the enslavers, apparently). And don’t give me that “We’re all just Americans” nonsense while we’ve got white people bragging about their ancestors who were on The Mayflower, people whose families haven’t set foot in Ireland for centuries telling everyone how Irish they are, and the whole of Italian American culture. From what I can see, there’s only one group of Americans who get regularly insulted for trying to celebrate their cultural identity: the ones who can’t pass a paper bag test .
Morgan Freeman can go suck a brick.
I agree, I think US history class should literlly be about US black history and US native American history. High school kids need to learn the atrocieties on which we stand in full disclosure.