“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.”
Idris Elba stopped calling himself “a black actor” when he realised it became a constrictive label and had put him “in a box”.
The Luther actor recently spoke out on racism and how he believes “not talking about the differences” between people would be more beneficial to society in an interview with Esquire UK.
Elba, who is returning as iconic detective John Luther in Netflix’s upcoming movie Luther: The Fallen Son, told the publication that people “are obsessed with race” and not in a good way.
The 50-year-old said: “Of course, I’m a member of the black community.
“You say a prominent one. But when I go to America, I’m a prominent member of the British community. ‘Oh, UK’s in the house!’
“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 said humans’ “obsession” with race can “really hinder people’s aspirations, hinder people’s growth”.
“Racism should be a topic for discussion, sure. Racism is very real,” he explained.
“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 realised 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.”
Elba also told Esquire that he did not become an actor because he “didn’t see black people doing it” and wanted to change that.
“I did it because I thought that’s a great profession and I could do a good job at it,” the actor added.
As well as this, Elba spoke about being asked about his race once he started making a name for himself.
“As you get up the ladder, you get asked what it’s like to be the first black to do this or that,” the star said.
“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.”
The plot for The Fallen Sun involves a serial killer who is terrorising London while disgraced detective John Luther sits behind bars, haunted by his failure to capture the cyber psychopath who is constantly mocking and taunting him.
As such, Luther decides to break out of prison to finish the job by any means necessary
Luther: The Fallen Sun will be available on Netflix from 10 March.
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