Showbiz

Natalie Portman sorry for black statement

Published Wednesday, Dec 8 2004, 22:07 GMT | By Daniel Saney
Star Wars actress Natalie Portman has written a letter to Allure magazine following publication of an interview in which her words about black people were taken out of context.

In August the magazine published extracts from an interview with Portman and quoted her as saying "I'm not black, but I know what it feels like." The actress found this "personally offensive" and insists that her comments were misrepresented and misunderstood by readers, reports IMDB.

Explaining the mix-up, Portman wrote: "If I had spoken more articulately, I might have conveyed what I truly feel: I could never know what it is like to be a black American. "The 'it' I was referring to when I said, 'I know what it feels like, ' was not intended to signify that I know 'how black people feel' but rather that I know what Dubois' (Souls of Black Folk author W.E.B Dubois) concept of double- consciousness feels like.

"Had my quote included what I actually said preceding that statement, perhaps my meaning would have been clearer."

She adds, "I sincerely, and with my deepest regrets for offending any readers, apologise and apologise and apologise. This has hurt me deeply, and I will do my best to be more thoughtful and articulate in the future."




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