Morgan Freeman, who rarely gives interviews, recently talked to The Sunday Times to promote his latest film A Good Person directed by Zach Braff. The actor shared that he feels insulted by Black History Month and the term “African American.” Freeman stated:

“Two things I can say publicly that I do not like…Black History Month is an insult. You’re going to relegate my history to a month? Also, ‘African American’ is an insult. I don’t subscribe to that title. Black people have had different titles all the way back to the n-word and I do not know how these things get such a grip, but everyone uses ‘African American’. What does it really mean? Most Black people in this part of the world are mongrels. And you say Africa as if it’s a country when it’s a continent, like Europe.”

The Sunday Times reporter remembered Denzel Washington who once said: “I’m very proud to be Black, but Black is not all I am.” Freeman responded to this quotation, “Yes, exactly. I’m in total agreement. You can’t define me that way.”

Freeman also shared in the interview that he intended at the beginning of his career to be a “character actor”, however, the path of his career lead him elsewhere. He said:

 “When my career started in film I wanted to be a chameleon, I remember De Niro early on doing very different parts. Almost unrecognizable as the same actor. I had opportunities like that. But as you mature in this business, eventually you become a star. Then you’re pretty screwed in terms of referring to yourself as a character actor. You play a lot of the same type of role — people hire you and say, ‘It’s you that I want.’ And you live with it, I don’t think I’ve done much in the last 10 years that was much different. Driving Miss Daisy’ and ‘Glory’ were different. Now? It’s just…me. The character will adapt itself to you rather than the other way round, so I do what piques my interest. Sometimes it’s just the money alone.”

In Braff’s latest film, Freeman plays Daniel, who helps the protagonist in her healing journey. The film is available in theaters and digitally.