Calm down cumber-collective, he meant well.
In a PBS show last week, "12 Years A Slave" actor Benedict Cumberbatch talked about the lack of diversity opportunities for British actors in the UK. He has been chastised for the wrong choice of words, and has since apologized for his mistake.
During the Tavis Smiley show, he said "I think as far as colored actors go, it gets really different in the UK, and a lot of my friends have had more opportunities here [USA] than in the UK, and that's something that needs to change."
Following this blunder, social media erupted with comments from celebrities, rebuking the choice of words of the "Sherlock" star. However, his message was appreciated by Show Racism the Red Card, although of course not the wording.
According to The Independent, SRtRC shared a statement and said that "Benedict Cumberbatch has highlighted a very important issue within the entertainment industry and within society."
The statement continued, "In doing so, he has also inadvertently highlighted the issue of appropriate terminology and the evolution of language. Show Racism the Red Card feel that the term 'coloured' is now outdated and has the potential to cause offence due to the connotations associated with the term and its historical usage."
Following the uproar, Benedict Cumberbatch took full responsibility for his choice of words and issued a public apology. "I'm devastated to have caused offense by using this outmoded terminology," he said.
"I make no excuse for my being an idiot and know the damage is done," Benedict Cumberbatch continues.
"I can only hope this incident will highlight the need for correct usage of terminology that is accurate and inoffensive. The most shaming aspect of this for me is that I was talking about racial inequality in the performing arts in the UK and the need for rapid improvements in our industry when I used the term."
