John Boyega says he’s met Americans who didn’t know black people lived in London.
The 27-year-old, who grew up in Peckham by British-Nigerian parents, believes such attitudes are fuelled by the under-representation of black UK talent.
Whilst promoting his first film, Attack The Block he told the Radio Times: “I’m black British and I’m from London.”
“And that in itself is something that the world doesn’t know about yet. I met American people – civilians of a first-world country- who were confused that there were black people in London,” he continued.
Boyega went on to describe why representation in popular culture is so important: “That’s why entertainment is so special, it’s a great chance to bring people together and open them up to things they haven’t seen before.”
In 2016, the actor set up his own production company – Upperroom Entertainment Limited – which aims to make films that speak for his culture.
He is set to return to our screens in the next instalment of the Star Wars franchise on December 19.
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