african american

Morgan Freeman Says He Doesn’t Like The Term, “African American”

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Morgan Freeman says that he finds Black History Month to be an insult and doesn’t like the term “African American.” Freeman discussed his opinion on the matter during a recent interview with The Sunday Times while promoting Zach Braff’s A Good Person. The comments have since begun circulating on social media.

“Two things I can say publicly that I do not like,” Freeman began. “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.”

Morgan Freeman At The Oscars

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: (L-R) Morgan Freeman and Margot Robbie speak onstage during the 95th Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

In response, The Sunday Times interviewer brought up the famous remark from Denzel Washington: “I’m very proud to be Black, but Black is not all I am.” In response, Freeman added: “Yes, exactly. I’m in total agreement. You can’t define me that way.”

The comments sparked debate on social media. The Game commented on a post of the news from The Shade Room: “We gone give Unc a pass on mongrel.. what he meant is people who have multiple mixes at this point in life & not aware of their true origin because of our history.” Another user wrote: “I agree with him. I ain’t African American either. I’m AMERICAN. None of my people are from Africa. I was born here. Black people have BEEN in this country free before slavery.”

Morgan’s opinion echoes similar remarks to those made by Idris Elba, earlier this year. The star of The Wire had said that he doesn’t consider himself a “Black actor,” while speaking with Esquire. The remark sparked backlash online.

The Game Comments On “The Shade Room”

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Noname Calls On Black Artists To Gatekeep Their Art

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Noname recently made a powerful statement on Instagram, as she urged Black artists to gatekeep their art. Moreover, she shared some statements on Thursday (January 19) about how Black art is exploited by white audiences or white-owned mediums. While the Chicago native paused her music career, she continues to engage in important and impactful activism, action, and dialogue.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 21: Singer Noname performs onstage during the ‘Room 25’ tour at The Wiltern on February 21, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)

“One of the biggest mistakes i believe we’ve made in our struggle towards liberation in this country is allowing white america unfiltered access to our entire culture,” she wrote. “White america has created an institution of violent policing and medical neglect that is killing us EVERY F***ING DAY. and every day we get on their platforms (tik tok, twitter etc.) and we create trends, music, art and language that they turn into billions.

“Twitter admits in their guidelines that they disclose account information to law enforcement,” she continued. “They literally are the police. We do not own Black culture. We create it.”

Moreover, she connected the exploitation of hip-hop today to the evolution of blues and jazz music in U.S. history.

“Do yall never think, maybe white people don’t organize to end economic/racist exploitation that black people face simply because they love consuming the art we make out of survival,” the Room 25 rapper stated. However, her statement was more nuanced than skeptics likely assume.

“As black artists making black art, we have a responsibility to our community and to our culture,” she expressed. “I understand needing to survive under capitalism but there is power in collective action! what would it look like if we all said, unless festivals, streaming, social media puts 10% of their profits into a black community fund we use to house and feed people, we will no longer contribute our content.

“I’m about to play coachella because i need the bread,” she went on. “Trust, i’m not above anybody but if there was a collective boycott where ALL black artists refuse to share our work unless we see radical change in our conditions, i would immediately do that s**t.”

Furthermore, she engaged in a respectful back-and forth in the comments, even if they weren’t returning respect in kind. For example, for those quick to judge her Coachella appearance, she revealed some hardened circumstances.

“I stopped playing shows for yearsss! for the exact reason i’m talking about and nothing happened,” the 31-year-old responded to one user. “I’m not a big enough artist for them to care. Sorry but i’m not about to have my mom on the street unless EVERY artists willing to make that sacrifice. I almost [did] that shit and never again.”

Regardless, what do you think of Noname’s call to Black artists to gatekeep their work? Whatever the case, let us know in the comments down below. Also, as always, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest from your favorite artists.

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