OHMYGOSSIP — David Oyelowo thinks racism “sneaks up behind you” in Britain.
The 44-year-old actor – who was born in Oxford, England, but moved to the US in 2007 – has accused Britain of “covering up racism” more than any other country in the world.
He explained: “Nowhere on earth has been better at covering up racism in my opinion than Great Britain.
“The thing I like about living in America is that racism comes at you head on. In the UK it sneaks up behind you. I constantly came up against the old boys’ network in the UK – this Oxbridge clique that I wasn’t a part of and felt patronised by.
“Here the class system is money and success. If you succeed, people will invite you in, not because they are so egalitarian but they are so scared of missing out on something.”
The ‘Selma’ star concedes that Britain is more diverse than it used to be, but he’s not sure it’s become less racist.
He reflected: “My brother, who is a healthcare professional in the UK, was on the train not long after the Brexit decision and that exact phrase was used to him on the tube. ‘Go back to where you came from.'”
David is reluctant to talk about the issue too much – but he also recognises the importance of using his platform to help instigate change.
The actor – whose parents were born in Nigeria – told the Guardian newspaper: “I recognise the need to still talk about it because I am standing on the shoulders of others who were denied the chance.
“I’m jealous of my peers. Benedict Cumberbatch never has to talk about his race, neither does Tom Hardy.”
In the long term, David hopes it’s not something he’ll feel the need to discuss in public.
He said: “Look, the day I know I don’t have to talk about racism is the day I’ll know we have real progress.”
Source: VacationHunter.Online
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