Idris Elba Explains Why He Stopped Referring to Himself as a “Black Actor” : “We’ve Got To Grow. We’ve Got To. Our Skin Is No More Than That. It’s Just Skin”

Idris Elba is addressing why he chose to stop referring to himself as a black actor.

During an interview for the spring 2023 issue of Esquire U.K., the British actor recalled his experience with racism throughout his career and explained why he doesn’t see himself as just a black actor. Elba says he decided to stop “describing myself as a black actor when I realize it put me in a box.”

The 50-year-old actor recognizes that racism is real and exists but believes “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. As humans, we are obsessed with race. And that obsession can really hinder people’s aspirations, hinder people’s growth.”

He continued, “Racism is very real. 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 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.”

Elba also added that he did not become an actor because he “didn’t see black people doing it” and wanted to make a change. Instead, the actor says he chose the career because he “thought that’s a great profession and I could do a good job at it.”

“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,” he explained. “It’s the first time for me. I don’t want to be the first Black. I’m the first Idris.”

Nevertheless, Elba acknowledges his race and says no matter what, he is still the “same black.”

“And that skin stays with me no matter where I go, every day, through Black areas with White people in it, or White areas with Black people in it. I’m the same Black,” Elba said.