Is Morgan Freeman correct when he says the only way to stop racism, is to stop talking about it?

Morgan Freeman's statement on stopping racism by "stop talking about it" is often misinterpreted and taken out of context. Here are the key points to consider:

Context of the Statement

In the 2005 interview with Mike Wallace on 60 Minutes, Morgan Freeman's full statement was more nuanced than the simplified sound bite. He argued against the segregation of history into specific months, such as Black History Month, and suggested that racial labels should be avoided. Freeman said, "I'm going to stop calling you a white man. And I'm going to ask you to stop calling me a black man. I know you as Mike Wallace and you know me as Morgan Freeman."125

Intent Behind the Statement

Freeman's intention was not to ignore or downplay the issue of racism but to emphasize the need to move beyond racial labels and to integrate black history into the broader narrative of American history. He advocated for a society where people are not habitually identified by their race.

Critique and Limitations

However, this approach has been criticized for oversimplifying the complex issue of racism. Many argue that ignoring or not discussing racism does not make it go away; rather, it can perpetuate systemic and institutional racism by not addressing the underlying issues. The article by Zak Keith highlights that for many groups, including Asian Americans, racism is still a pervasive and unaddressed problem, and ignoring it is not a viable solution1.

In summary, while Morgan Freeman's statement was meant to promote a more inclusive and integrated society, it has been misinterpreted and does not fully address the ongoing need to confront and discuss racism to effect meaningful change.