Benedict blasted over ‘inappropriate’ interview comments
The Imitation Game actor and Oscar nominee, Benedict Cumberbatch, is facing serious heat after comments he made during a recent interview.
Benedict appeared on talk-show, Tavis Smiley, when he spoke about diversity in film: “I think as far as coloured actor go, it gets really different in the UK and a lot of my friends have had more opportunities here [the US] than in the UK, and that’s something that needs to change.”
Of course, it wasn’t the actors stance on the diversity in film that has upset people; but his use of the word ‘coloured’. The term is considered to be outdated and one look at Twitter will show that Benedict has caused considerable hurt in his use of it:
@Bonn1eGreer @CharleneWhite Benedict #Cumberbatch worked in 12 Years A Slave and thinks it's still OK to use the word 'coloured'. Perplexed.
— Saadia Ahmad (@SaadiaSAhmad) January 26, 2015
The word 'coloured' should never ever be used and makes my skin crawl. So much #BenedictCumberbatch's so called 'support' #despicable
— Miss Pammy K (@MissPKalu) January 26, 2015
The actor is now being called on to apologise, though his rep has yet to comment on the situation.
Update 20:17 – Benedict has issued a statement apologising for his comments, saying:
"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. 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."
