Idris Elba Is Getting Much Backlash For Saying He Stopped Describing Himself As A “Black actor”

Idris Elba maintains that he no longer considers himself to be a “Black actor,” as he stated in a previous interview.

The “Luther” actor responded to criticism he had gotten online by using Twitter on Saturday to further clarify his justification for his previous remarks.

There is not a single human being on the planet who could doubt whether or not I feel myself to be a BLACK MAN, Elba said.

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?

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— Idris Elba (@idriselba) February 11, 2023

“Like being a “architect,” being a “actor” is a career that is not based on race. However, it is your prerogative if YOU define your work based on your race (sic). Ah lie?”

After facing some criticism for recent remarks he made in an interview with Esquire U.K., Elba sent the tweet. He claimed in the interview that identifying as a “Black actor” placed him in a “box” in terms of his professional development.

“If we spent half the time not talking about the differences but the similarities between us, the entire planet would have a shift in the way we deal with each other,” the “Beast” actor said in the article published Wednesday. “As humans, we are obsessed with race. And that obsession can really hinder people’s aspirations, hinder people’s growth.”

“Racism is very real,” Elba said. “But, from my perspective, it’s only as powerful as you allow it to be. I stopped describing myself as a Black actor when I realized it put me in a box. We’ve got to grow. We’ve got to. Our skin is no more than that. It’s just skin. Rant over.”