Appearing on NPR’s “Tell Me More” to promote a new film, actor Morgan Freeman said he is “disheartened” by the current political climate and lamented that “America’s first black president hasn’t arisen yet.”
First thing that always pops into my head regarding our president is that all of the people who are setting up this barrier for him … they just conveniently forget that Barack had a mama, and she was white — very white American, Kansas, middle of America. There was no argument about who he is or what he is. America’s first black president hasn’t arisen yet. He’s not America’s first black president — he’s America’s first mixed-race president.”
Twitter reaction was immediate and decidedly mixed.
https://twitter.com/Hogan_Hero/status/221335718771953664
https://twitter.com/samarabradley/status/221335318429827072
https://twitter.com/IMSOHONGREE/status/221341779176329216
Freeman certainly isn’t the first to bring up the question of just who is authentically black.
So Morgan Freeman, how black do you want the black president to be?
— Siddhi (@ZiddiDesai) July 6, 2012
If we adopt his theory, there are plenty of Black people that aren't 'Black enough'……he is entitled to his… http://t.co/OxLjgSBS
— Rory Douthard (@rorydouthard) July 6, 2012
His comments, of course, echo writer Toni Morrison’s much-repeated observation in 1998 that Bill Clinton was America’s first black president: “Blacker than any actual black person who could ever be elected in our children’s lifetime.” Morrison later clarified that she was referring less to Clinton himself than to his treatment during the impeachment investigation. “I said he was being treated like a black on the street, already guilty, already a perp.”
Listeners have taken Freeman’s comments much more literally and, in many cases, angrily.
https://twitter.com/SiimpleL0ve/status/221327192687251457
Dear Morgan Freeman: PresO IS our 1st Black pres. even tho he's mixed race. Most African Americans in USA are mixed race of varying degrees.
— Sue 'Lily' (@moonchild_1) July 6, 2012
https://twitter.com/kimmaytube/status/221330531554562049
https://twitter.com/kimmaytube/status/221329208893374464
Dnt quite agree with Morgan Freeman comments. If ur mix ur still gonna be looked as black. There's no way around it.
— Todd Williams (@DA_KID999) July 6, 2012
Morgan Freeman says Obama is the first mixed raced President. And? Dude's mom was a White lady. What's the controversy? #fakeassnonsense
— Derrick S. Goard (@DSGoardWV) July 6, 2012
Obama is not the first black president because he's mixed, says Morgan Freeman (whose great-great grandfather was a white man btw).
— 20 damn kylies (@nickkjagger) July 6, 2012
https://twitter.com/HWinfojunkie/status/221345299027865600
Many would prefer that Freeman keep his opinion to himself.
Morgan Freeman,your business is acting as directed not directing our country.Like everyone,you have 2 things,An OPINION and an A$$hole.
— james hall (@cedarboy1) July 6, 2012
https://twitter.com/teddydahmer/status/221332629910335489
In other words, kindly keep your blathering about the incompatibility of being "mixed race" and black to yourself, Morgan Freeman.
— Tọ́pẹ́ (@graceishuman) July 6, 2012
This is NPR, after all, and as much anger as Freeman seems to have stirred with his comments on race, he reaffirmed his support for President Obama and laid the blame for his current disappointment firmly at the feet of Republicans who wanted no part of a “post-racial” administration. Republicans “will not cooperate with him on anything. So to say he’s ineffective is a misappropriation of the facts,” said Freeman.
At least one person managed to find a positive spin on the story either way.
Morgan Freeman says Obama isn't black enough to be USA's first president. Looks like I'll have to be the first then haha what y'all think?
— Brian White (@Mr_WHITEisRight) July 6, 2012
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