Morgan Freeman says being called African American is 'insulting'

Morgan Freeman says that being called an African American is insulting.

Morgan Freeman is one of the most well-known and respected actors in all of Hollywood. Born 1 June 1937, currently age 85, the actor has starred in critically acclaimed movies such as Shawshank Redemption, Seven, Million Dollar Baby, Unforgiven and much more.

As reported by our friends at UNILAD, when talking to The Times about Black History Month, which takes place in February of each year, Freeman said that the celebratory month and the categorisation of “African American” as ‘insulting’.

“Two things I can say publicly that I do not like: Black History Month is an insult. You're going to relegate my history to a month?”, said the actor. He then added: “Also "African-American" is an insult. I don't subscribe to that title.”

Freeman continued: “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.”

During an interview for 60 Minutes in 2005 with Mike Wallance, Freeman also expressed his disdain for Black History Month. Back then, the actor said: “Ridiculous. You're going to relegate my history to a month?”

When Wallace challenged Freeman on his views, the actor responded: “What do you do with yours? Which month is White History Month? Come on, tell me." To which Wallace replied: “I'm Jewish.”

Freeman then questioned whether Wallace wanted a Jewish History Month and when the interviewer asked how we would get rid of racism, Freeman’s solution was to: “Stop talking about it. I'm going to stop calling you a white man. And I'm going to ask you to stop calling me a black man. I know you as Mike Wallace.”

“You know me as Morgan Freeman,” said the Hollywood legend. “You're not going to say, 'I know this white guy named Mike Wallace.' Hear what I'm saying?”