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.
My apologies. My ignorance.
Wanna talk about beautiful black women? Look up LENA HORN, DIAHANN CAROL, and EARTHA KITT.
I agree with you on 2 out of 3 of those. Was never a big fan of Diahann Carol. Nichelle Nichols (of Star Trek fame) was another beauty.
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