Morgan Freeman Doubles Down On His Disdain For Black History Month: 'I Detest It'

A veteran Hollywood actor is making it known he is not a fan of Black History Month.

Academy Award winner Morgan Freeman, born in Memphis, Tennessee, during the 1930s under oppressive Jim Crow laws, recently expressed his controversial views on Black History Month.

During a 'Variety' interview promoting his upcoming Civil War series 'The Gray House,' which debuted at the Monte-Carlo Television Festival, Freeman shared that he dislikes dedicating a single month to Black history. He feels it separates him from his identity as a fully American individual.

Freeman, 87, argues that Black history is an integral part of American history and should be acknowledged and celebrated year-round.

When asked his opinion on Black History Month, Freeman responded, "I detest it."

"The mere idea of it. You are going to give me the shortest month in a year? And you are going to celebrate 'my' history?! This whole idea makes my teeth itch. It's not right," he clarified.

'The Bucket List' actor emphasized that his history is American history, a subject he values highly beyond personal pursuits like making money, enjoying life, and getting enough sleep.

Black History Month began in 1915 when Dr. Carter G. Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH) to highlight the overlooked contributions of Black Americans. In 1926, Woodson initiated Negro History Week in February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.

In 1975, President Gerald Ford acknowledged Black History Week, and the celebration extended to a month the following year. In 1986, Congress officially designated February as National Black History Month, a recognition that continues today.

In April, Freeman's initial remarks sparked major controversy online after Elon Musk retweeted a 2016 interview where Freeman expressed being a "huge fan." This prompted social media users to unearth more videos of Freeman, including a 2005 '60 Minutes' interview where he called Black History Month "ridiculous."

Freeman questioned, "You're gonna relegate my history to a month? What do you do with yours? Which month is White History Month?"

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Morgan Freeman, Black history month