Morgan Freeman once again proves he's smarter than 99% of Hollywood.

[Shockeye]

Freeman Criticizes Black History Month

Dec 15, 2:40 PM (ET)

NEW YORK (AP) - Morgan Freeman says the concept of a month dedicated to black history is "ridiculous."

"You're going to relegate my history to a month?" the 68-year-old actor says in an interview on CBS'"60 Minutes" to air Sunday (7 p.m. EST). "I don't want a black history month. Black history is American history."

Black History Month has roots in historian Carter G. Woodson's Negro History Week, which he designated in 1926 as the second week in February to mark the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln.

Woodson said he hoped the week could one day be eliminated - when black history would become fundamental to American history.

Freeman notes there is no "white history month," and says the only way to get rid of racism is to "stop talking about it."

The actor says he believes the labels "black" and "white" are an obstacle to beating racism.

"I am going to stop calling you a white man and I'm going to ask you to stop calling me a black man," Freeman says.

Freeman received Oscar nominations for his roles in 1987's "Street Smart," 1989's "Driving Miss Daisy" and 1994's "The Shawshank Redemption." He finally won earlier this year for "Million Dollar Baby."

[Merusk]

I  Morgan Freeman.

[voodoolily]

I always thought this pretty ridiculous too, especially considering February is the shortest month. Good for him.

[Strazos]

Agreed. Glad someone finally said it.

[Paelos]

Agreed. Glad someone finally said it.

Had to be black to do it.

[schild]

Agreed. Glad someone finally said it.

Had to be black to do it.

Winner. That's the problem, RIGHT THERE.

You get rid of the labels black and white and I'll show you a unicorn fucking the loch ness monster.

[Ironwood]

I can see that by using the labels black and red.

Johnnie Walker, that is.

[Shockeye]

I can see that by using the labels black and red.

Johnnie Walker, that is.

No love for the blue or gold?

[Ironwood]

I was born in Kilmarnock where it all started, so I have love for them all.

But I prefer the Highland Park.  Damn, that's some good Whisky.

And you missed out the Green Label.  Finest whisky made of processed Panda's or something.

[Shockeye]

And you missed out the Green Label.  Finest whisky made of processed Panda's or something.

I'm not special enough to have seen, touched or tasted the Green.

[MrHat]

We won't have to worry any more.

[HaemishM]

The actor says he believes the labels "black" and "white" are an obstacle to beating racism.

"I am going to stop calling you a white man and I'm going to ask you to stop calling me a black man," Freeman says.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess that all the voiceovers talking about Freeman's history made quite a big deal about the fact that he's a black Oscar winning actor.

[Ironwood]

The actor says he believes the labels "black" and "white" are an obstacle to beating racism.

"I am going to stop calling you a white man and I'm going to ask you to stop calling me a black man," Freeman says.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess that all the voiceovers talking about Freeman's history made quite a big deal about the fact that he's a black Oscar winning actor.

Yeah, but that's nothing to do with race.  That's Marketing and PR.  And you know what we think of them...

Finding the brown gene tho.  That's scary and far reaching in consequences.  Next up, the homo gene...

[Murgos]

Next up, the homo gene...

[Llava]

Older black men understand racial issues very well.

[Strazos]

I personally don't give a shit what color Freeman is; he's a stellar actor, and that's all I care about.

[Merusk]

Finding the brown gene tho.  That's scary and far reaching in consequences.  Next up, the homo gene...

You shut your heathen mouth you Godless git.  Everyone knows Homosexuality is a choice, and God created man in his own image. God is no homo!

Green Text Disclaimer for the humor-impaired.

[Der Helm]

God is no homo!
Green Text Disclaimer for the humor-impaired.

Google agrees with you ...

[Ironwood]

I don't know either way.

If it's genetic it'll also raise really interesting arguments.

I want the religious nutters to be FOR Stem Cell Research so that they can 'cure the homos'.  The irony would be thick and fast, just how I like it.

[stray]

I personally don't give a shit what color Freeman is; he's a stellar actor, and that's all I care about.

To get back on topic:

Who would Morgan Freeman be if he wasn't Black though? Sure, he's a stellar actor, but acting still emerges from the person who is doing it (contrary to popular ideas). He's not just an actor, and he's not just a person. He's a black person who acts (and I'm sure he does other things as well). He is who he is for specific reasons as well as general reasons (as we all are).

I'm not just talking about "skin color", mind you, I'm talking about deeper things. Culture, etc.. About all the little factors that make up our identity. Whether consciously or not.

No offense, I know you mean nothing but good in that statement above, BUT.....I'd rather have a world where we DO recognize Black, White, Brown, Yellow, Red, Green (don't forget those zombies...) and come to peace on those terms. Trying to find community through colorlessness doesn't suit anyone.....Because that very colorlessness is a color as well --- And that's the real root of racism right there. In all it's ugliness AND it's civility.

[schild]

If Morgan Freeman wasn't black he'd probably be competing with Anthony Hopkins. In other words, he would've faded to nothing when Silence of the Lambs came out.

[Sairon]

He fits the wise black elder type and that's pretty much the reason for why he earns heaps of cash. Just as Hugh Grant always will be the classic stiff brittish guy.

[stray]

the classic stiff brittish guy.

...that blinks a lot.