Kevin Costner takes on the issue of race in America

On the heels of his new film - "Black or White" - Don Lemon welcomes actor Kevin Costner for a frank discussion on race that comes amid heightened tensions in Ferguson, Missouri

[@Chaos1214]

I always liked Kevin Costner. He just possesses quiet class.

[@milmac5052]

I never miss to watch any movie or shows of Mr. Costner. Huge fan and great respect for such an awesome human being. Racism defies every aspect of civility and logic. If you can possess only one virtue, let that be compassion. Hatred makes life of the hater miserable. Do not forget we all are in this world for a very short span of time. Live better and love a lot.

[@bishopconnor]

Kevin Costner is straight outta Compton

[@chasep1310]

You know lol

[@jonathanhathaway7796]

One more reason to like Kevin Costner. He doesn't hesitate to admit that he used racial slurs as a boy, but came to know it was wrong. I can imagine there are few in Hollywood or elsewhere that would do that. That's character. He's awesome in Hidden Figures too.

[@lighteyes214]

I have so much respect for Mr. Costner. Pretty good movie too. Go see it!

[@kittensmittens8251]

Remember the body guard. Debleck wimmins, we love costner🤗

[@chasep1310]

Going to have check it out, this guy seems to have a way of making some kind of point/lasting affect with the movies he is in 🤷🏽‍♂️🤷🏻🤷🏾🤔

[@leegage7198]

Costner like other celebrities are playing a game with something they know nothing about. Live and work in another country and come and tell me about. You are a bunch whiners that are creating a disaster in this country

[@chasep1310]

@@leegage7198 then tell him what he needs to know as you have the answers

[@deborahhoffman7394]

A very honest commentary by Kevin. This is how people become aware of their own feelings regarding race.

[@kevincostner7246]

Thanks for the love and support you showered on me . It's been wonderful having fans like you solidly behind me this is my way of saying thank you .Much love 😘❤️💯

[@ernestespinosa1853]

I'm almost 60...Grew up hearing the N word and OTHER demeaning words towards Blacks...In high school I learned that it was not right BUT it was hard because it was ENGRAINED in my GENERATIONS social behavior. Television, movies, news, radio ALL depicted BLACKS in the most demeaning fashion. I RESPECT Costner for being candid and aware.

[@dustfreequeen5151]

Kevin Costner is straight outta Compton!

[@CalieFaeryl]

When people ask me what my nationality is, I say human and I currently live in Canada.

[@saywonap]

You're a mess Calie Vee 😂😂😂😂

[@CalieFaeryl]

@@saywonap Explain what you mean by that...these days a single word can mean many different things depending on who you're talking to.

[@saywonap]

@@CalieFaeryl it means you're funny . No hate here boo . I even used the laughing emoji too

[@CalieFaeryl]

@@saywonap Then I'm glad I asked...lol The emoji pretty much told me there was no ill intent, I still didn't know what it meant. I wonder if my kids know that phrase, they are always laughing at me for not knowing something like that...lol

[@u0386]

Maybe I am wrong but did you want to say your ethnicity is human and your nationality is Canidian?

[@rebekahscotland5108]

I ADMIRE THE WAY GOD CREATED US, BEAUTIFUL AND IN HIS IMAGE, HE'S THE GOD OF DIVERSITY, AND I'M VERY PROUD OF MY COLOR.

[@kathykoellisch9678]

WE ALL HAVE THE SAME COLOR BLOOD. NO MATTER WHAT COLOR YOU ARE. SO BLACK WHITE MOVE ON WE HAD ENOUGH OF THESE RIOTS AND PROTESTERS.UNITE THIS COUNTRY AND RESPECT PRESIDENT TRUMP HE IS OUR PRESIDENTLIKE HIM OR NOT. HE HAS DONE MORE GOOD THINGS FOR OUR COUNTRY THAN ANY PRESIDENT HAS DONE FOR US.SO PEOPLE MOVE ON TRUMP WON. TRUMP IN 2020

[@clarkkent6035]

Kevin Costner is straight outta Compton, I knew this dude was an old G.

[@southernman5839]

I don't see the racism ? I work to survive and raise a family. I work with black people and we all get along. After work I go home to the family. I might work in the yard or wash the car. I do hang out with the family. I feel safe with my family. That's the issue! I believe most people feel that way!

[@altitudeillume6729]

RESPECT FOR COSTNER. UNITY, NOT DIVISIVENESS, UNITY.

[@michaelbelt8768]

Some people rise above and God bless us all!

[@mdtmjat]

You know when I saw the headline, Kevin Costner takes on race in America... my 1st thought was "why?"

[@sveabryan9126]

Love Kevin Costner. Seems to have a good heart. Octavia is a gem!

[@ianmiller9103]

As a Black man I am very confident an comfortable with myself that i don't feel uncomfortable amongst anyone else. I can't say the same for other people.

[@n23817]

Kevin Costner is authentic. That's why I respect his point of view. The movies he's made in his later years have expressed strong messages about the human condition. Love his work.

[@karenearle5507]

I appreciate Kevin Costner's honesty. We have all grown up in some type of ignorance. For some of us, when we realize our ignorance, we adjust ourselves, to make positive personal changes to work with people whom are different and whom we misunderstood. When you stay in your racial hatred and bigotry, that is your failure as a human to want better for your life and get along with the World around you.

[@SwissOG83]

A wise man once told me "You get what you push, you don't get what you don't push." The more the media pushes that "there is a divide", the more the divide will exist. I ask myself, what is Don Lemon's mission in life? To create a divide between black and white?

[@yaakw]

A wise man also said “do unto others as you would have others do unto you.” This ain’t rocket science and there’s no enemies in a foxhole.

[@chokkan7]

Costner was very brave to acknowledge this aspect of his history. As a child growing up in the deep South, I heard the N word everywhere I turned, yet it was usually said without rancor (and I don't imagine that that made it right). I recall using a peach crayon to color in a picture of my family in 2nd grade, and then being held up for ridicule because I thought my family was 'colored'. It was a very complex time, and people had no roadmap, yet still had to get through as best they could. I'm fine with that, but what truly sucks is having a generation of millennials, who have little if any real world experience, presume to sit in judgment over a thing they barely understand...and frankly, they can kiss my ass.

[@tommybasham-oo7qf]

Chokkan7 great comment, I despise millennials, they have zero life experiences, but yet they know everything, & I totally agree, they can kiss my fart box!!!

[@LexRuger718]

chokkan7 well said 💯💯

[@xyzsame4081]

We grow and learn - like Costner. And the millenials grew up in a different time so of course their standards regarding the N word of whatever differs from people who were taught otherwise when they were young. - So in what ways do millenials annoy you ? When they call out people who slip into the old times ? Or still behave as if society hasn't changed ? What we experience and are taught in the formative years (until age 6) is immensely important and of course is different for the younger and the older generation. And likely the younger people have fewer blind spots regarding racism. While the older group can for instance remember how it was before mobile phones and smart phones and people politely listened to each other (instead of texting during conversations). They even read books.

[@chokkan7]

Never miss an opportunity to act condescendingly, even when it's completely inappropriate...is that some sort of millennial rule? Please try to tell me something I don't already know. I'd correct you (and I know your little snowflake heart will find that presumptuous beyond belief) in saying that millennials have 'fewer' blind spots...at best, they have different ones, but they have them in abundance; all pre-programmed by corporate interests. Mr. O'Neil says it much better than I could, so tune in to this, unless you're already triggered and need to find a safe spot... kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYiam6awh9d8bJI

[@a.mouthfull4901]

You racist piece of shit. COLORED!

[@lespierce1565]

Love KC. And have watch WATERWORLD the Postman 20 times. He has a great soul!

[@salehothman449]

Thanks Mr Kevin.👍👍

[@joshuademoraes]

this guy never get old...

[@karenkinserlow7744]

I have a great deal of love &respect for Kevin Costner awsome actor &proformer & man

[@tashahines1000]

This is/was an excellent movie. I am biracial and was raised by my lighter relatives. Best of both worlds can be experienced and loved.

[@kevincostner7246]

Thanks for the love and support you showered on me . It's been wonderful having fans like you solidly behind me this is my way of saying thank you .Much love 😘❤️💯

[@Lundahlium]

He really doesn't look that old for his age.

[@brendajones8783]

Kevin did you mention Compton. I always tried to think why your character seems so cool. I know for a fact it's the ❤️ of the matter . But GOD has always showed to me ,how special you were I came in a lots cities in Cali. I took up acting at Los Angeles valley college. But no matter what I did just didn't understand, how anything was to work out. I don't regret my journey. I thank God for me taking a chance. I had a part in white America. Yes I had to go to Hollywood. To get material anyway thanks for sharing

[@rikiribi2536]

The Colorful Race called Humanity O my Lord, I really don’t understand all the hassle about race or skin color this hatefulness is going out of hand aren’t we all created in Your honor I grew up without any idea of racism meeting a different skinned person was exciting enriching magnetism it gave my soul a gentler version To live in a loveless egocentric world is more of a punishment than of a gift almost everyone in himself is curled my soul, O Lord, really needs a lift Different shades are more inviting than the boring one color only idea to love each other without fighting is far away from the forbidden tree We are born with a colorless soul spotless, impeccable and eternal without it the body is not whole let’s therefore strife to be fraternal Rita Biesemans, November 12 2016

[@EchadLevShtim]

Its so bad now that non racists are racist, because its all put under a microscope and blown out of proportion. You cant even form a sentence without it being portrayed as racist. Tolerance was the glue that kept us together, but this Supposed Progressive society is contradictive, imposing, demanding, with out understanding. People would rather just stay on their side of the tracks as opposed to growing from interatial friendships because the drama and repercussions of being misinterpreted is turning folks lives upside down. I literally have a small heart attack if I say fried chicken in front of blacks. In reality it is all about skin pride and holding on to our past, instead of realizing race is fake and the people who are getting offended are actually the racists holding on to their skin. But G*d, mother nature, or the genome put it right back in their faces with Albinism. That all supposed races can turn white. None of the Conquest we see in modern times was exclusive to white folk and everyone played a hand. The reality is that at one point whites were the minority.

[@eugenesant9015]

I'm broken hearted....you Mean he isn't that indian Killing rancher in Yellowstone?

[@sammyraz6628]

Mr. Costner is a true american. Americans where i come from are revered for their potential of fairness, accountability and incomparible achievements in everything. As the final weakness of Achilles was his heel they are plagued by the racism of the past and present. America is our hope.I hope it will free itself from this disease. We live in a small world and imperfect one at that......here i said my piece.

[@willcochran3669]

I have to agree with Kevin, I grew up in a Time where was very similar, God thanks that is something that happened in my youth, and I was able to learn from it, and not just put it in my rearview mirror, but beriot, I am ashamed of those few years. Especially with my background.😢

[@googleownsyou8510]

Tell me when you find you nuts.

[@GoodmanMIke59]

Worked with a black guy my age ... Athletic Director in a black school. 98% "free and reduced" and RARELY saw a "DAD" ... and when one walked in, ALL the middle schoolers flocked to glimpse at a "real man." Many students wore $200 basketball shoes, $200 NASCAR jackets, best iPhone then available. Coach KNOWS that there are thugs. We talk .. STILL ... about EVERYTHING! Only Don Lemmon would try to convince you that he's never said "nigga" ... keep it real!

[@Tfreezy259]

or you could just accept there ARE black guys that don't say nigga...

[@douglynch8954]

I think it takes courage to admit your errors and regrettable actions in life. Many of us who grew up in a culture of racism had to learn what was right and wrong. We were conditioned overtly and subconsciously towards prejudice. It is not shocking to hear that a young white man growing up in the 50's and 60's used the n-word. Let's get real here. The important thing is that he learned and grew from it.

[@damianmorris2753]

Big respect to Kevin Costner to admit things he said and grow and learned from it.

[@timelessmusicfamilymusic9175]

You can misjudge someone from a different race & that person can be the nicest person you ever met. On the otherhand, you can meet someone of your own race & assume they're harmless only to find they're turn on you in a heartbeat.😒

[@vickygreen3126]

Don Lemon! I, can’t even take you serious! 😂😂😂

[@kathykoellisch9678]

DON LEMON IS NOTHING BUT A RACISTS.AND HESLAMS OUR PRESIDENT TRUMP EVERYDAY. GET OVER IT LEMONHEAD AND MOVE ON.

[@kevincostner7246]

Thanks for the love and support you showered on me . It's been wonderful having fans like you solidly behind me this is my way of saying thank you .Much love 😘❤️💯

[@mdspampi7559]

Don Lemon said 'it' on his show but glossed right over 'it'

[@carmelaruck7116]

Total respect for Mr.Costner.....None for Douche Lemon

[@Dano-uf8ys]

Not true, if you've been hassled by cops you can empathize regardless of your race.

[@googlesucks449]

Glad to learn of this movie. Glad to see an approach to the solution thru dialogue. BC we are ALL Americans.

[@al-bot1094]

I hope more people are seeing this today, as the world is changing.

[@MikeProvocateur-tu2jl]

Kevin Costner actually forced Don Lemon to act like an adult once. See Don, Kevin is the way Conservatives are.

[@kenmtb]

Yes like rush and trump

[@tonykelley6720]

Costner was only three years old in 58, let's see toilet training and learning the N word .

[@alicialong7276]

All I know Kevin is one FINE man

[@luevajackson8356]

Costner is Honest. Much Love For Him. 💜

[@neilhoward6795]

What is in a word. In this context the point is a word is used to group a number of people to offend them. There is currently a self-named group of people under the term "Women of Colour" or "People of Colour" and placed diametrally opposite there is a group of "White Supremacists". It does not take much to add a few more words to make a chosen description one that is to be shied away from eg "Women of Color smell" or "White Supremacists are without black pigment". This is the kind of language that is in the infant school yard where kids just what to offend and hurt anyone who is not them. The people who want to divide the country are those that want to bring the country down to its knees and to date they are suceeding. The people are being played but it is not by TRUMP it is by the Globalists and Communists because they are the real enemy

[@billiecrouse8002]

Kevin on the chance that you may read these comments. I lived in Compton when it was all white. Thank you for helping to turn it into what it is now. Now folks come to you for your opinion and you pretend that you didn't do anything to help make it the way it is now.

[@lauraokal3435]

Great stuff!

[@floydgalvin5740]

Here's one for ya'all! Why can't a black couple adopt a white child? A: because the white child would be torn apart (figurative) in a black community!

[@leolopez_0728]

This was Ferguson almost a year ago...it continues in Minneapolis now. While many statues and team names are being destroyed or changed, it is hard to predict the future of racism in America and many other countries.

[@rocketsurgeon1746]

Used the N word? What athlete hasn’t said it? Every guy on my college football team said it regardless of race

[@jaimetonche846]

Don Lemon is this generations Al Sharpton...but more colorful

[@debbiezenaida]

Costner's first wife was Mexican-American.

[@holliemollie5409]

You mean Chicano

[@yahfahp2782]

When the Most High come for y'all I'ma just Laugh.

[@deeznutz6082]

Yahfre P - wait on that - I'm laughing at you now

[@incognitotorpedo42]

Wait, what? Kevin Costner was a teen from 1955 to 1963? How old IS he, anyway?

[@lindabowman2139]

IncognitoTorpedo 64?

[@compka93]

I saw this movie - it was a good movie

[@lupevaldez8456]

I saw the first episode of Yellowstone was great !

[@Tazman1234]

Now that's how you start a honest conversation about racism,we have to first admit that it is a problem,in Kevin's case was a problem,i believe we have to be honest about our biases and to confront it head on in order to effect necessary change with self,to our own self be true...

[@JaybayJay]

Kevin Costner's from Compton?! Why wasn't he part of N.W.A? Eazy E and KmC...

[@benjaminbailey6383]

Bc it was all white neighborhood back then!?! Idk ive never been to cali...lol

[@holliemollie5409]

George W Bush also grew up in Compton

[@steveb7144]

Literally all don lemon talks about is race!

[@codeman3564]

He's obsessed with it and he's a shitty journalist

[@danmoore2443]

How come black people can use the N- word but no one else can ? Not saying I would use it ...but just saying if its offensive maybe blacks should stop saying it among each other and in rap songs

[@normangabbard8816]

Race is Possibly the Single Most Important issue in Our Nation's history. America is all about Race. It was built and defended all through history by many races. We as Americans has to except this as truth. We must Unite against all types of Racial slurs from anyone. A Racial slur or profile cuts at the core of who we are as a nation. I dream of the day,we all can except one another,not from color,but by looking into the heart and soul of that other person. I applaud anyone that is strong enough and willing to stand against racism. We must learn to plant seeds of healing in the life's of those that's been hurt and effected through racial slurs and attacks. This nation's division because of haters must stop. Our forefathers designed a nation where all Americans can except one another not by color. But by nationality. We are all Americans. We are One People. We will become stronger once we except this. It's not about if you are black,brown or white. Its about.. Are you an American ?? Thank You Kevin...

[@lifelong5425]

Saying it like it truly is...the issue is ever present, needs of people, not race are what must take over...never simple, but in the faces of all

[@michaelterrell5061]

I agree with this great man.

[@sherwinfitz]

Wow!

[@harveyterry6418]

Greatest respect for k.c.

[@bettywilliams9633]

Congo agree with you!!

[@bettywilliams9633]

I'm sure that he still says the n word

[@JorgeRamos-ix1jm]

4 years later things are worse.

[@CGOD6]

He keep it real

[@nightmaster5593]

with all due respect, why is CNN so obsessed with aggravating racial conflict? can't we all just drop the hate and come together, and build a free, respectful land? We're all in this together

[@mickeyromeo]

what would he know? he said yes to Water World.

[@sd81a46]

Oh shit Kevin Costner outta Compton.

[@carlalinton4441]

Carla Linton. I have a lot of respect for Mr. Kevin Costner to. He stands against racism. He stands for Racial Unity and not for Racial Division.

[@etheljanefontenot2970]

He made a movie and now he is an expert. How funny!

[@williamchoi808]

Smh. Never even heard of this movie until right now.

[@joepinciaro3264]

CNN would be wise to get rid of DON LEMON BUT HAVE THEY EVER BEEN WISE?

[@jasonrees6012]

Agreed ,he's an ass.

[@thealaskan1635]

Costner straight outta Compton. A black neighborhood. On TMZ some guy stood up for him and his movie Waterworld because they were both from Compton

[@rgiesbrandt]

Come on!! Words never mean as much as actions!! Work on stopping the one parent family in the black community!! Don’t talk about racial disparities in the criminal system- work on having the black kids stop committing violent crimes!! Nobody gets sent to prison because they are black! They get sent there because they killed someone!! Nobody in America feels comfortable being followed by four black kids with gold teeth wearing hoodies!! Look at the local news and see who the perpetrators of violent crime are!! And none of this is because someone used the “n” word!!

[@vanessadorahill292]

Words.hurt more than action ,sorry honey come back again with that nonsense.I guess you haven't looked at the news where innocent black people sent to prison for crimes they didnt commit.Still goes on today.

[@otelajohnson1778]

Wtf single parent household doesn't mean the other parent isn't involved.

[@elizabethbaker3162]

Great film

[@fraudsarentfriends4717]

Another propaganda film from Hollyweird.

[@mitchervin522]

Exactly propaganda brainwashing b*******

[@frankrice5364]

Watch the movie 2 time now and love it all needs to watch black and white

[@earlofmar7987]

Slavery started in Africa and still remains in Africa. Every ethnic group, in on every nation, has been taken into slavery. Time to heal the world. We live in the greatest nation in the world. It's time to be thankful for where we are and what we have. Time to stop all the anger and hate a grateful heart.

[@nicholaspilot2057]

Haha...what a great actor who says he grew up in Compton in 1955 to 1963 but never heard the word said badly??😕

[@lawrence208]

"I love this clip because it really shows the divide between black and white..." - Don Lemon Words from a "true" racist

[@djstarr-lowery4047]

@pado joe biden please explain .. who is the true racist and who was he who married a white man? Please I'm not being a smart-ass I just help me understand your comment

[@jj-ys2qt]

Words are made to be used apply to all races, grown up nothing wrong just deal with it.

[@danielshaw4038]

He used the dreaded "N word ". Lock him up

[@maxinefreeman8858]

I have nothing but admiration for Kevin Costner. He admits saying words when he was younger that he doesn't say anymore? Why was Paula Deen attacked so viciously when under oath, she said she might have said the same word when she was young. She was raised in the deep south..

[@holliemollie5409]

Kevin said those words as a child. Paula said them as an adult and fostered a culture at her restaurant where racism was prevalent

[@garrywalker2042]

Kevin is just Keeping it real everybody says disgusting words against different nationalities EVERYBODY love is the answer by England Dan and John Ford coley 🙏📖🛣️🏰❤️

[@thomasfletcher1971]

Did that lucky bastard get to kiss Annette Benning in that "open range" movie ? Was Warren pissed ? lol

[@jodyssbbwgirl9946]

Racism is very rare. But there are always some black folks making millions kicking up the racist dirt..

[@loisking5116]

Jody Ssbbwgirl and what planet do you live on

[@reneesanchez1923]

This is a money hungry country

[@MarluART]

Hi there, I'm here to offer some perspective from the other side. Racism will always exist as long as free thought exists, but that doesn't mean we can't fight for fair treatment and try to focus on the individual rather than the group. The issue is when you fight for what's right and _assume_ a lot of things based on race, like when you _assume_ that the entire system is racist because it's mostly white people in charge or when you _assume_ that something happened to a black person because of race or when you _assume_ that a white person with a different opinion is simply ignorant. Yes there are some unjustified deaths, but a lot of the deaths being talked about are being told wrong to make it appear that black people are being beaten and oppressed on a daily basis or they're over represented. When people talk about this misinformation, they are labeled as racist or uncaring or ignorant, which is WHY you get "Do we really have to go there?" when people bring up race. Believe it or not, trying to call out extra racism where there is none is hurting your message, it's another "boy who cried wolf" situation where people will believe you and then start rolling their eyes after the 4th time. We WANT to help, NOBODY likes racism, but we can't help against "everything's racist because racism" and we can't support things that say they're for one thing, and then do another. The next time you find someone that disagrees with you, I sincerely would like you to actually talk with them. Listen to the people with a different opinion because even if you're objectively right, they might have some information or a way of seeing things that you've never seen before. Scrutiny will prove whether your views are right or not, but dismissing everything one side says will only lead to more fighting and actual racism. Even in the case where you listen and everything they say is factually wrong (after you research it afterwards) that will just help your own message.

[@aberrantlawyer59]

_Marluxia Would America be entering into a race war right now between blacks and whites if non-black women had put BLACK LIVES MATTER first....before all the bullshit of "Empower (non-black) Women" Movement, #metoo, #believe women bullshit? After all, black men and women have been more severely discriminated against than non-black women and Indians.

[@MarluART]

​@@aberrantlawyer59 It's not a race war we're entering, it's a culture/ideology war. Which I would argue is far more dangerous than a race war. But to answer your main point, yes we would still be entering a culture war of some kind no matter how much people shouted BLM in the past. As long as there is some inequality of outcome (which isn't necessarily a bad thing) there will be a group that ignored _how_ it happened and just complain that it _did_ happen. Best we can do to get past those types of pointless battles is to critically think and consider all view points.

[@leigh9807]

It's nice to see some hollywood actors that aren't woke and are trying to show how ridiculous everything is getting with PC culture.

[@ernestgoldsmith4255]

We are one. let's all be nicer on a every day small things basis. A cheerful and loud good morning w/ mask on when you enter the office, let someone in instead of speeding up to keep them out. Just small things that make a difference. And it doesn't cost anything.

[@davestevenson2485]

Did I just hear Kevin Costner just grew up in Compton... holy fuck!!! eat that dr. Dre

[@iamgroot4611]

Hes right he dont have an answer at least not a correct one. Morgan Freeman said it best when he said "to end racism, we need to stop talking about it" if the past is constantly being reminded to everyone then hate and resentment will always exist.

[@Dano-uf8ys]

That looks like Octavia Spencer.

[@lukewhite8930]

No shit, Kevin Costner is from Compton.

[@felixicon]

Octavia is the sht