“Selma” Star David Oyelowo on Being a Black Actor in Hollywood (Dec. 29, 2014) | Charlie Rose

[@earthlingcrusader1529]

"Find the audience. Be excellent. And you'll be fine." Powerful words.

[@tribecayeah]

THIS is why I have huge respect for David! He is saying exactly what needs to be said, out loud (where other's have not) and guess what....he's still working and woking on fantastic projects. SO proud of this fellow Brit!

[@ralphybarra3382]

David O you are the most elegant man and speaker. I have been a fan of your work for years. I applaud you.

[@Safiyaxox]

Thank you for representing Naija in film David and also for speaking about being a black Hollywood in a eloquent and perfect way. Couldn't agree more with you. You

[@DixonFrancoisJr]

Damn, this is good. I was hesitant that they were going to talk over each other, but that's a great and strong topic of discussion.

[@Igbomayor]

David Oyelowo is a smart British/Nigeria actor. he made valid poiint i love watching all his interviews.

[@ericablige9449]

My 15 year old and I enjoyed the movie. My hat goes off to David and the cast. To be honest, initially I was reluctant to sit through another movie to witness the hatred and abuse that our brothers,sisters,mothers, & fathers (black,white,etc) had to endure. But my daughter asked to see it and I couldn't deny her. It was truly an emotional rollercoaster( if you know what I mean). I applaud the film and the work it took to bring it to film.

[@Shenruss]

"....find the audience, be excellent, and you will be fine." I think that pretty much sums up the correct level of thinking, not only in this industry, but in most areas of personal interplay. As a man of color, I take nothing, NOTHING away from David and Ava's performances. However, and maybe it's TOO evolved of me to think this way, but I take greater joy in how it speaks to the *human* element in me, not the "black" one. I completely get his pressure in being a trail-blazer, and the slighter hand minorities are dealt. But from his own words, this isn't done "hatefully"....it's done because people "Want to see themselves" in art The trick here, now, is get people to understand that it is our *shared humanity* we need to celebrate and display, not the packages or colors that humanity is wrapped in.

[@Shenruss]

***** Ok, Levar, understood. But is that "Hate"...or just *ignorance? Fact remains the issue is three fold 1] Power players wanting to see "themselves" in portrayals 2]A lack of empathy [not sympathy, which is different] or understanding of why and how its important for "others" to be viewed in story 3] The only level of understanding that *is* present has been based on misunderstandings and stereotypes. "Hateful" propaganda would be if power players maintained these stereotypes *specifically* to belittle others.But its also true that stereotypes, and thus type casting, exist because the *communities themselves* to an extent validate these characters and justify the type...or, to a lesser extent, the general trope----the smart guy, the snarky person, the sassy black female, the comedian, the jock, the devote Spanish catholic, the hard-nosed Irish american drinker, the selfless hero, the brooding hero, the anti-hero and literally *thousands* of others, race related, gender related, Western, Eastern, etc----all are simply recognizable in the social conscious of our shared human psyche. Thus, these characters' become "common" or familiar elements within common stories, and there is little effort made to "break the mold". This is more playing it safe and following formula, not "deliberately holding someone else down", and it is often done unknowingly; Black power holders often make similar assumptions on white clientele. Does that mean its done maliciously? No. By your very own admission, Chinese cinema follows its own rules, and makes heroes THEIR PEOPLE can relate to. Same thing in India, and Nollywood. Is that also being"Racist"?

[@simplyshama]

Shenruss If you're evolved, then I am too. I've always thought this way, like from birth. I've always viewed people and myself as human because that's how I've been treated. People have rarely approach me as the "black" girl but for my skills and personality. I hope that is a World everyone can experience.

[@Shenruss]

simply.s I understand your view, Simply. That's wonderful for you. I have similar experiences. Unfortunately, I've been around enough diverse cultures, even those with a high black diaspora, to know we're the exception, NOT the rule. Mind you, in certain regards the world IS getting better, but that still doesn't mean these age old tropes don't still exist, or that people don't hold others to them. It's not fun, but it's better than before.

[@antoniothompson5514]

Find the audience, be excellent, and you'll be fine.........sounds true to me

[@KKG3388]

Beautifully Said David! Shine on my brother, we can do for self!

[@FA-iy1md]

excellent well said

[@simplyshama]

absolutely. let your work do the talking.

[@merlenesturridge3996]

Love you david Oyelowo

[@denariuswright8284]

im excited about the film

[@8beatking]

thats so on point

[@brokecreole]

WELL SAID simple, true,sad

[@Monaedeezy]

This guy gets it!!

[@RipperBravo]

Was great as Danny in Spooks.

[@jarshizayak4969]

Black, white, what's the difference. We are all humans. People are people so..

[@thedarklennialsz8120]

That really depends on your view point, the only way to really tell stories that need to be told ARE those that have the influence and the means to change. The people in power tend to be white, but that's Hollywood and every person wants to succeed there, once recognised there, the rest of the world is easy.

[@stevenv1992]

LBJ was THE difference - like it, or not - and a lot of people don't!

[@RollinRocker]

I think David is a great actor but i think he's wrong here.When it comes to the expertise of acting nowadays it's the talent that comes first.For blacks it's a little harder to get recognized but for women they've been doing great recently. I think Denzel and Morgan Freeman are two of the best actors THAT is why they have been successful so that proves that talented black actors can make it it's just a matter of climbing through the bullshit before you get famous.

[@b.i.s.o.n.bristolscreenwri305]

Oh, I didn't know he was British

[@leviridge3307]

SELma is a low grade b movie if arnold schwarzegger was in it i would of liked it better.