Joacquin Phoenix has called out the racism going on in the film industry while accepting his award for Leading Actor at the Bafta Awards 2020 in London.
The event which was heavily criticized for lacking diversity saw Joacquin Phoenix get a round of applause at the Royal Albert hall which also had members of the British Royal Family present.
Accepting the award which had only white nominees, Joacquin Phoenix who starred as Joker said:
"But I also feel conflicted," he said, sending the hall into a stunned silence. "So many of my fellow actors that are deserving don't have that same privilege
"I think we are sending a very clear message to people of colour that you're not welcome here. That's the message we are sending to people who have contributed so much to our medium and our industry in ways that we have benefitted from.
"I dont think anybody wants a handout or preferential treatment, although that's what we give ourselves every year."
He continued: "I think people just want to be acknowledged, appreciated and respected for their work," said Phoenix.
"This is not a self-righteous condemnation, because I am ashamed to say that I am part of the problem. I have not done everything in my power to ensure that the sets I work on are inclusive.
"But I think it's more than just having sets that are multicultural. We have to really do the hard work to truly understand systemic racism.
"I think that it is the obligation of the people that have created and perpetuate and benefit from a system of oppression to be the ones who dismantle it - so that's on us."
Singer and actor, Tyrese reacted by listing the other sectors in America where people of color are shortchanged.
Other awards like Golden Globe, Oscars and Grammies have also gotten their own fair share of criticism for the treatment gotten by people of color.
