Bad Benedict.
British actor Benedict Cumberbatch (yes, that’s his ACTUAL name), who is nominated for the Best Actor Oscar this year after his performance in The Imitation Game, used the word “coloured” to describe black actors in an interview in which he was trying to express his annoyance that multi-culturalism is under-represented in the UK film industry.
His anti-racism message got him labelled a ‘racist’. Damn.
To see who else is on the list: The Oscar Nominations are here.
This is what Benedict said in the interview on Tavis Smiley in USA: “I think as far as coloured actors go, it gets really different in the UK, and a lot of my friends have had more opportunities here [in the US] than in the UK, and that’s something that needs to change.
“Something’s gone wrong, we’re not representative enough in our culture of different races and that really does need to step up a pace.”
After social media exploded with outrage at the use of the term “coloured”, Benedict released this statement:
“I’m devastated to have caused offence by using this outmoded terminology. I offer my sincere apologies. I make no excuse for my being an idiot and know the damage is done.”
“I can only hope this incident will highlight the need for correct usage of terminology that is accurate and inoffensive. The most shaming aspect of this for me is that I was talking about racial inequality in the performing arts in the UK and the need for rapid improvements in our industry when I used the term.”
To see ‘subtle racism’ in Australia: Watch this amazing campaign.
“I feel the complete fool I am and while I am sorry to have offended people and to learn from my mistakes in such a public manner please be assured I have.”
“I apologise again to anyone who I offended for this thoughtless use of inappropriate language about an issue which affects friends of mine and which I care about deeply.”
Well said, Benedict. Clumsy mistake, good heart.
If you want to see a more light-hearted interview with Benedict, watch this. He can’t say the word ‘penguin’. It’s hilarious.
Top Comments
I think this guys is a brilliant actor,im african and was not offended at all. Im sick of people being offended on my behalf. And I do feel sorry for alot of well meaning white people because they feel they have to tip toe around this issue. Not saying the word black or coloured to spare my feelings,I find very offensive becasue it reminds me that im different
Can someone who understands these things tell me why 'Person of colour' is not only acceptable but actually preferred while 'Coloured person' is utterly wrong and merits a grovelling apology. To me they are identical. I get that one problem with 'coloured' is that it sets up non whites as being 'the other' but 'person of colour' does exactly the same.
Well, I am not a p.o.c. so am not really in a position to judge, but if I had to guess it seems pretty obvious to me.
Person of colour - the word person comes first, not the skin colour plus it's a phrase persons of colour chose for themselves.
Coloureds or coloured people - skin colour comes first, plus it's a phrase that was invented by and used by people who were not people of colour, many of whom were racists.
But that's a guess. And really, it doesn't matter to me. If people choose a phrase they prefer to describe themselves, that's good enough for me.