Idris Elba Rejects Identity Politics, Reveals He No Longer Refers to Himself as a Specifically Black Actor: “I Don’t Want To Be the First Black, I’m the First Idris”

Actor Idris Elba revealed, in rare instances of sanity in an industry obsessed with identity politics’ detrimental concepts, that he no longer considers himself a specifically ‘Black actor’ Because of the restrictive and regressive connotations that the term implies.

Brixton Lore (Idris Elba), taunts Deckard Shaw [Jason Statham] in Fast & Furious Presents : Hobbs & Shaw (2019), Universal Pictures

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The Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Star made the voluntary language change during a Recent conversation with Esquire UK’S Alex Bilmes.

Knuckles (IdrisElba), in Sonic The Hedgehog 2, from Paramount Pictures, and Sega. Photo credit: Courtesy Paramount Pictures & Sega of America.

After discussions about his early childhood, and the upcoming sequel to his popular detective series, Luther: The Fallen Sun Elba and Bilmes finally touched on the topic of race.

Ostensibly asked by Bilmes about his experiences with racism – the published Esquire UK piece is formatted in such a way that the reporters’ questions are omitted in favor of spotlighting Elba’s responses – the British native replied, “I’m always curious why this is fascinating to people.”

“It’s a question I get asked a lot,” Elba. “I don’t go to my Black friends, in conversation, and ask them to tell me about racism. Have I ever faced racism? Yeah.”

Starro, Warner Bros. Pictures confronts Bloodsport (IdrisElba), in The Suicide Squad (2021).

Elaborating on his seeming annoyance at the premise of Bilmes’ unknown question, the actor asserted, “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,” He lamented. “And that obsession can really hinder people’s aspirations, hinder people’s growth. Racism should be a topic for discussion, sure. Racism is very real. But from my perspective, it’s only as powerful as you allow it to be.”

John Luther (IdrisElba), returns to the streets in Luther, The Fallen Sun (2023), Netflix

Elba informed Bilmes to that effect. “I stopped describing myself as a Black actor when I realised it put me in a box.”

“We’ve got to grow,” He urged. “We’ve got to. Our skin is no more than that: it’s just skin. Rant over.”

Sonic (Ben Schwartz), is being fought by Dr. Robotnik and Knuckles (IdrisElba), in Sonic the Hedgehog 2. (2022), Paramount Pictures

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Elba further rejected Hollywood’s penchant for identity politics by noting that rather than having his career heralded as inspiration for just Black individuals, he wanted it to stand as a testament to the potential for people who grew up in rough circumstances similar to himself.

“I accept that it is part of my journey to be aware that, in many cases, I might be the first to look like me to do a certain thing,” Recognized the actor. “And that’s good, to leave as part of my legacy. So that other people, Black kids, but also white kids growing up in the circumstances I grew up in, are able to see there was a kid who came from Canning Town who ended up doing what I do. It can be done.”

Dr. Nate Samuels, Idris Elba, prepares his rifle for Beast (2022), Universal Pictures

Elba gathered his thoughts and then recalled them. “I didn’t become an actor because I didn’t see Black people doing it and I wanted to change that. I did it because I 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,” The actor elaborated. “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.”

Heimdall (IdrisElba), welcomes Jane Foster, Natalie Portman, to Valhalla for Thor: Love and Thunder (2022), Marvel Entertainment

Luther: The Fallen Sun The film will be shown in select cinemas starting February 24, followed by a wider Netflix release on March 10, 2018.

John Luther (Idris Eliba), hunts serial killer David Robey (“Andy Serkis”) in Luther: The Fallen Sun (2023), Netflix

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