LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 29: Nia Long speaks onstage during EBONY Power 100 at Milk Studios Los Angeles on October 29, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for EBONY MEDIA GROUP)
Nia Long has a resume full of classic movies in genres like comedy and drama, which are often categorized as “Black movies.” Unfortunately, she isn’t feeling that.
The 52-year-old actress recently spoke on why she thinks segregating Black-led films from other categories is harmful in Hollywood.
Buzzfeed chatted with Long about her process for choosing roles since she first appeared on big screens as Brandi in Boyz N The Hood. The question regarding how Black movies are labeled was then asked the Best Man: The Final Chapters actress.
I feel like sometimes the roles choose me if that makes sense. Whenever I’ve really wanted something, it never happens. So, I sort of just know that I’m not in charge of that. I have this thing in me that says, “I’m being used to tell stories, to inspire our people, and to serve as a voice, so I’m going to just trust this process.” If I read a script and I love it, and I say, “I’ve got to do that,” then I’m going to do it.
Staying on topic, the outlet spoke with the actress about people who label certain actors “Black famous” and streaming services labeling their movies “Black movies.” Nia shared that she feels those terms do the films a disservice—even though they seem to be coming from a positive space.
“I think terms like that hold us back,” Nia told BuzzFeed. “And I have to catch myself sometimes too, because I’m very proud of who I am.”
The actress added that she is proud of being Black, and she proud to represent despite there being a separation in categories.
When I use the word Black, I don’t use it as a way to separate ourselves from anyone — I use it as a way to put an exclamation point behind our greatness, because I don’t think that it’s always been celebrated and recognized. But I’m also a lover of mankind and human beings and accepting of all people that are good, so multiculturalism is equally as important to me. But I’m here to represent who we are and if you want to come along for the ride, everyone’s welcome!
