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”.

In a rare instance of sanity within an industry completely obsessed with the inherently detrimental concept of identity politics, actor Idris Elba has revealed that he no longer describes himself as a specifically ‘Black actor’ due to the limiting and regressive connotations the term implies.

Following discussions on his early childhood and the upcoming film sequel to his popular detective series Luther: The Fallen Sun, Elba and Bilmes eventually broached the general 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,” said 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.”

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.

Wrapping up his thoughts on the topic, Elba then recalled, “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 explained. “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.”