Speaking to Variety on Saturday, June 15, African-American acting legend Morgan Freeman spoke about why he dislikes the idea of Black History Month, which he said he “detests.” According to Freeman, it is American history that matters to him and should matter, not hyphenated history that focuses and praises one group exclusively.

Freeman’s comments on the matter came in the context of his recent production, alongside Lori McCreary, of “The Gray House.” That upcoming show is a drama about the United States Civil War that, according to IMDb, “centers on the three women who General Ulysses S. Grant credited as helping the North win the Civil War.”

So, speaking about Black History Month, Freeman told Variety, “I detest it.” Continuing, the now-87-year-old actor and producer explained why he finds the idea so objectionable, saying, “The mere idea of it. You are going to give me the shortest month in a year? And you are going to celebrate ‘my’ history?! This whole idea makes my teeth itch. It’s not right.”
coating the fact that African Americans were enslaved. They weren’t treated as a full person. When you come out of watching these eight hours, maybe you will look at someone who looks like Morgan or me differently. You will understand their experience, their ancestors’ experience and you will be able to relate.”

Featured image credit: By Georges Biard, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=72580706