Even though Denzel Washington is an Academy Award-winning actor and generally well received by white Hollywood, when it comes to calling his white co-stars “friend,” Denzel ain’t got time for that.
In an interview The Guardian, Denzel detailed how he goes out of his way to get caught up in the trappings of Hollywood, which includes not befriending white actors.
“My wife and I were raised right. I don’t want movie-star friends. And,” he says, thinking it over, “being African American, there were no big movie stars to hang out with anyway, not when I was starting out, they were just the third guy from the back! For whatever reason, I never befriended any white actors.”
Well then. Way to spit in the face of your fellow actors, Denzel. Is not befriending white people supposed to be some kind of badge of honor?
How would you feel if a white actor laughingly said, “For whatever reason, I never befriended any black actors?” Even if it’s true, it’s a bit callous and unnecessary.
Which is why Denzel’s team went right into spin mode when Denzel’s interview with the Guardian hit the web. Your Black World reports that Denzel’s publicist pointed out that Denzel followed his statement by saying, “Except for Tom Hanks, Mel Gibson and Julia Roberts.”
Great. Isn’t this the equivalent of a white person saying they don’t really have black friends, but they love them some Lil’ Wayne, Drake and Kanye West?
And really, Denzel? Anti-semitic, misogynist Mel Gibson is really the white friend you want to call on in this situation?
Yeah, we have a feeling Denzel (or his poor PR team) will have to put out a statement softening the rough edges around this one.
