Idris Elba Says Don’t Label Him “A Black Actor,” Believes It Puts Him “In A Box”

Actor Idris Elba says he no longer refers to himself as a “Black actor” because he feels the label puts him in a “box”, adding “obsession” with race can hinder aspirations and growth.

Idris Elba on being labeled a Black actor

In an interview with Esquire UK, Elba said that while he is a prominent member of the Black community, such separatism in Hollywood can hold entertainers back.

“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,” Elba told the publication.

“As humans, we are obsessed with race. And that obsession can really hinder people’s aspirations, hinder people’s growth.”

For Elba “racism is very real,” but he believes that “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,” he said.

Elba also discussed his reasons for pursuing a career in entertainment, saying it was never to break barriers as a Black man.

“I did it because I thought that’s a great profession and I could do a good job at it,” he explained. “As you get up the ladder, you get asked what it’s like to be the first Black to do this or that. Well, it’s the same as it would be if I were white. It’s the first time for me. I don’t want to be the first Black. I’m the first Idris.”

Up next for the actor

The Golden Globe winner is set to premiere in the Netflix film, “Luther: The Fallen Sun,” the follow-up to his critically acclaimed crime series “Luther”, when it hits theaters on February 24.