This is just my opinion and I have no intentions of offending anyone, that's not my style.
Okay so recently Benedict Cumberbatch mentioned his thoughts on the lack of black actors in the UK acting/entertainment industry. He said that the US was a better market for them, because they'd get a better shot at actually getting a chance to act. He wants more black actors on the acting scene.
Now that being said, some threw a hissy-fit about his use of the word "colored", in his statement. So much so that this actor, (who is doing fine in his own career and doesn't need to pander to anyone one specific audience or another and was being genuine), had to apologize.
He. Apologized.
He apologized for saying something that was actually nice. He didn't have to say anything, to begin with.
I think he was wrong for doing so.
Now, reader, before you say anything let me explain a little about me. I am an aspiring actress, who is also black. I have had my successes and failures in my infancy in this industry, and I know all too well, what I would be "typed" as being a young African American woman. I can be the "bus driver", the "slutty one", "slave woman#4", the "nurse", the "crackhead", the "poorly educated girl", the "badly behaved one", and maybe (if I stick with auditioning enough) I could be the friend to the best friend of the lead in a Romcom movie and say something like "Girl! Don't you date no man with a gold grill, that mofo ain't gonna be nothing. Hmm Hm," with a sassy wiggle of my neck, and head.
But I'm not really here to state my opinion on the lack of chances for black people in acting, because that kind of discussion, isn't the place for it. I am here to point out that Benedict Cumberbatch's words were entirely the opposite of something that should cause some uproar.
Instead of looking, and getting mad at what words are being used in a statement, we the people should look at, and react to the attitudes and beliefs behind the statement. When we harp on a word or a sentence to the point where we lose the meaning or heart of it, we hurt others and ourselves.
He was right in his original statement. Perhaps, he used an archaic word in reference to black people, but he speaks that way sometimes (Especially when he is drunk and giving a speech at the GQ Awards. lol). --What-- is said is sometimes --more-- important than --how-- it is said.
He could have smiled and not said anything. He could have remembered that he has to worry about his career and his image, worry about his "soon to be" mother of his child. He didn't. He constantly states things in support of others, even if he is, seemingly, far different from those of whom he speaks.
I respect and love Benedict for having other's backs on certain topics and happenings which should be spoken about. He seems positive and kind, and those qualities are good to have.
For those reasons, I think Benedict Cumberbatch was wrong for apologizing, and I disagree with him. His original statement was true.
-Lady Silver Soul
Okay so recently Benedict Cumberbatch mentioned his thoughts on the lack of black actors in the UK acting/entertainment industry. He said that the US was a better market for them, because they'd get a better shot at actually getting a chance to act. He wants more black actors on the acting scene.
Now that being said, some threw a hissy-fit about his use of the word "colored", in his statement. So much so that this actor, (who is doing fine in his own career and doesn't need to pander to anyone one specific audience or another and was being genuine), had to apologize.
He. Apologized.
He apologized for saying something that was actually nice. He didn't have to say anything, to begin with.
I think he was wrong for doing so.
Now, reader, before you say anything let me explain a little about me. I am an aspiring actress, who is also black. I have had my successes and failures in my infancy in this industry, and I know all too well, what I would be "typed" as being a young African American woman. I can be the "bus driver", the "slutty one", "slave woman#4", the "nurse", the "crackhead", the "poorly educated girl", the "badly behaved one", and maybe (if I stick with auditioning enough) I could be the friend to the best friend of the lead in a Romcom movie and say something like "Girl! Don't you date no man with a gold grill, that mofo ain't gonna be nothing. Hmm Hm," with a sassy wiggle of my neck, and head.
But I'm not really here to state my opinion on the lack of chances for black people in acting, because that kind of discussion, isn't the place for it. I am here to point out that Benedict Cumberbatch's words were entirely the opposite of something that should cause some uproar.
Instead of looking, and getting mad at what words are being used in a statement, we the people should look at, and react to the attitudes and beliefs behind the statement. When we harp on a word or a sentence to the point where we lose the meaning or heart of it, we hurt others and ourselves.
He was right in his original statement. Perhaps, he used an archaic word in reference to black people, but he speaks that way sometimes (Especially when he is drunk and giving a speech at the GQ Awards. lol). --What-- is said is sometimes --more-- important than --how-- it is said.
He could have smiled and not said anything. He could have remembered that he has to worry about his career and his image, worry about his "soon to be" mother of his child. He didn't. He constantly states things in support of others, even if he is, seemingly, far different from those of whom he speaks.
I respect and love Benedict for having other's backs on certain topics and happenings which should be spoken about. He seems positive and kind, and those qualities are good to have.
For those reasons, I think Benedict Cumberbatch was wrong for apologizing, and I disagree with him. His original statement was true.
-Lady Silver Soul
