Posted on 02/13/2017 11:03:10 PM PST by nickcarraway
HIDDEN FIGURES star Kevin Costner has spoken candidly about having his eyes opened to widespread racism, ahead of the critically acclaimed films UK release.
The movie, which is the top-grossing nominee for Best Picture at this years Oscars, sees Costner starring alongside Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monae and Taraji P. Henson as black women becoming integral to the work of NASA at a time of rampant explicit racism in the USA.
Speaking to Square Mile, Costner recalled his own upbringing in Compton, near LA, where he and those around him were oblivious about the significance of the N-word.
I said the N-word a thousand times as a child. Thats how you talked, he said. But there comes a moment when you choose how you are going to be yourself.
All of a sudden, telepathically you knew that word wasnt funny; it fell flat like a coke that had no more bubbles in it, and it was gone, eliminated.
He added that, even in the 1990s, some people werent happy that I picked Whitney Houston to be my love interest in The Bodyguard and that I kissed her; who wouldnt want to kiss her?
I dont think those people were happy that I would do Hidden Figures.
And on the current climate, he sighed: Racism is alive and well in America.
Its unfortunate, but its there, and all I can try to do is make my choices and educate my children.
Hidden Figures may not be tipped to win Best Picture at this months Academy Awards (that position goes to La La Land) but it did at least win big at the SAG Awards late last month.
A recently-released teaser clip showed Henson and Costner both in action.
Well, you certainly have no problems using God’s name in vain.
So slit your throat, evil honkie.
Yes, RACISM is very much alive and well in today’s America, but it is the blacks and the mestizos who are the RACISTS!
Kevin Costner “Dances with Idiots” Never liked this POS
Another arrogant Hollyweird elitist.
My dear old grandmother died at the age of 98 in 1983. I recall as a teen (late 70’s) we would stop by after church, or I’d be over there doing yard work, etc.
She usually had some nice news about the 50-year old gal that lived across the street that would bring over treats and coffee, etc. Sort of watched over her like neighbors do.
“Oh, and that nice nigger girl brought over some homemade bread and we had coffee this morning. She is such a blessing!”
I never did have the gumption to correct her!
Paula Dean, you’re wanted on the Hollywood Hypocrisy Hotline...
Costner ...do gooder....pats back...stick to Westernz Kev
Ironically I was spanked for saying “nigger” in a time it was more common for white usage
Now fast forward 50 years
I use it when it suits me....when they piss me off or threaten me totally guiltless
Today ain’t 1965 black race much anymore
No hostility from them and the black on white crime genocide was non existent
They feared us
Can you imagine the average black man or even sista fearing physically your average white man today by any means
Little hipster sissies are so scary....boo!
Skinny jeans just wet hisself...
All a black man has to do is growl and average white guy lays down and offers up his sister or daughter as a Peace Corps offering
It’s pitiful
I spent about half my childhood growing up in Compton, CA. Costner and I are only two years apart, and Compton is a small town. Seems like I should have run into him at some point.
White boys were as rare as hen's teeth when I lived there, so he would have stood out like a sore thumb.
It's about the Manhattan Project in WWII. Not many people know this, but the white scientists were unable to figure out how to put the atomic bombs together until a couple of black ladies explained it to them. Hollywood is correcting the oversight to these ladies.
After hearing Costner tout Black and White on Catholic Radio, I saw the movie. It was not a hit. He’s sincere. No. His motivation isn’t clear. The film lacked “organicity”. Sometimes, this may be one of ‘em, good intention is meritable. He’s attempt to “dialogue” is better than say Shaun King or Rachel Dolezal.
I was raised up north, but now live in the south. The area I live in doesn’t have a lot of black people, but the ones we do have are polite, just like anyone would be. There’s a big city, not too many miles away, and I worked there for years. Never met a rude black person there, either, but they do have a high crime rate among blacks.
Up north, I worked with some lovely black people, one of my doctors was black. But some of the run of the mill, non-professional black people often acted like bullies. There is a world of difference between some southern blacks, and some northern blacks. I have a friend who lived in a major southern city, in the deep south, and she developed a poor attitude towards blacks while living there. She said they were, as a rule, aggressive, obnoxious, and hateful. I try never to judge a person by their color; that makes zero sense to me. But I DO assess people by their behavior. I would like the same consideration for myself.
My wife is the most unprejudiced person I know. She has described friends of hers or co-workers to me “You met her last year - she's the short skinny gal that has bangs - remember? Um she was serving the hot dogs at that table.”
“Oh - you mean that black gal?”
“Yes - that's her.”
Just the other day she was in tears.
“Obama, all this black lives matters crap, everybody calling Republicans rascist. For the first time in my life I DO notice people's color, and wonder if I should make an extra effort to be nice, or how do I act. I HATE it!!”
We both had high hopes that when obama was elected that would be a real turning point in ending racism in America. Well - it was a turning point. To the worse. FUBO.
That last is the real legacy of the Obama Presidency, unfortunately. We all hoped he’d be the start of the post-racial America, and instead we got racial agitation from the community agitator in chief, starting almost immediately with his remarks in the Henry Louis Gates incident, which led to the Beer Summit.
Sorry Kevin, racism is de facto and de jure dead in America, at least for white people.
Sorry Kevin, racism is de facto and de jure dead in America, at least for white people.
So true but if we are going to be 100% honest; I think every person on the planet is racist to some degree or another. We just don't notice it until they get more vocal or up front about it. I like to think I only judge a person by the content of their character but I would be lying if I didn't pass some pre-judgement based on their race or nationality due to my personal experiences with similar people through my life.
From what I've seen though; there are far more openly racist blacks and Hispanics than whites or Asians. JMHO. FWIW. YMMV.
Hahaha... weren’t they the cleaning ladies who just happened to overhear the scientist got stuck on this one 15 line math equation so they solved it for them. Yeah; ‘cause stuff like that happens all the time these days thanks to the moronials. :D
***For the first time in my life I DO notice people’s color, and wonder if I should make an extra effort to be nice, or how do I act. I HATE it!!***
Your wife and I have similar feelings. Instead of being color blind, we are now asked and expected to live in a color aware society. The left keeps moving the goalposts. I’m more confused than ever.
Not your fault, Kevin... but you should consider how Whitney Houston was treated by members of her own Race for being "too white". Your movie undoubtedly became a bullet point in that argument. You want to talk about what it was like in rural Louisiana 50 years ago. It might be more relevant to talk about what is going on in America today?
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