
Audio By Carbonatix
British star Idris Elba advocated that racism in film and TV shows should be no different from sexism, with a rating system to warn viewers of racist viewpoints.
“That’s why we have a rating system: We tell you that this particular content is rated U, PG, 15, 18,” said Elba to the Radio Times. “To mock the truth, you have to know the truth. But to censor racist themes within a show, to pull it — wait a second, I think viewers should know that people made shows like this.”
He continued, “out of respect for the time and the movement, commissioners and archive-holders pulling things they think are exceptionally tone-deaf at this time — fair enough and good for you. But I think, moving forward, people should know that freedom of speech is accepted, but the audience should know what they’re getting into.”
Elba’s comments came after several shows removed episodes, mostly for depictions of blackface, in response to the Black Lives Matter movement. “The Office” and “Community” are two of several that pulled episodes from rotation.
Netflix and Hulu also pulled an entire episode of “Community.” In the “Advanced Dungeons & Dragons” episode, Chang (played by Ken Jeong) wears dark make-up to play a “dark elf.” In blackface, he prompts Shirley (played by Yvette Nicole Brown) to comment on ignoring hate crimes.
“We support the decision to remove the episode,” said a spokesperson for “Community” producer Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Episodes were also pulled from “30 Rock” and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” while the entire “Little Britain” and “Come Fly With Me” series were removed from several services.
“Gone with the Wind,” the highest-grossing film of all time in 1939, was temporarily removed from HBO Max. The removal followed a Los Angeles Times op-ed written by “12 Years a Slave” screenwriter John Ridley, who called for the film to be pulled as it perpetuates racial stereotypes.
HBO Max pulled the film to take time to add a discussion about its historical context and racist depictions, and then put the film back on the service. In the intro video, which plays before the movie starts, Turner Classic Movies host and film scholar Jacqueline Stewart discusses “why this 1939 epic drama should be viewed in its original form, contextualized and discussed.”
Elba stars in the U.K. sitcom “In The Long Run,” which is returning for a third season and will play a new character in next year’s “The Suicide Squad.”
“I don’t believe in censorship,” said Elba. “I believe that we should be allowed to say what we want to say. Because, after all, we’re story-makers.”
Latest Stories
-
We can tackle multiple priorities – Sam George defends Anti-LGBTQ Bill push
3 minutes -
Statement: Ghana Chamber of Mines’ Response to Claims in Joe Jackson’s “Ananse Stories about the Economy of Ghana”
4 minutes -
GES opens 2026 teacher recruitment for licensed B.Ed graduates
6 minutes -
Ghana must value skilled trades, build resilient learners — Ibn Chambas
15 minutes -
Ghana must rethink education around relevance, resilience and responsibility — Ibn Chambas
17 minutes -
Prince Harry faces defamation lawsuit from charity he co-founded
19 minutes -
South Korea deploys thermal cameras to track escaped zoo wolf
21 minutes -
Calls for royal meeting with Epstein survivors grow ahead of US visit
24 minutes -
Ibn Chambas advocates blend of technology and human values in education
26 minutes -
UMA improves healthcare access in Asutifi North with GH₵700k ‘Kim Taylor Legacy’ Walkway
31 minutes -
Scholarships Authority and Fanaka University offer sponsorship for procurement and supply chain studies
34 minutes -
Bisa Kdei drops new single ‘Go N Look’ featuring Medikal
40 minutes -
Benin facing rising terrorism in north as French military presence faces growing criticism
41 minutes -
UEW Public Lecture Series 2026: Education debate ‘about the soul of Ghana’s future’ — Dr Ibn Chambas
42 minutes -
EU fingerprint and photo travel rules come into force from today
1 hour