Eddie Murphy: ‘White Men Run This Business’ But ‘I Transcended That Stuff’

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Eddie Murphy claims that race has never been an issue for him in his career.

Murphy noted that “white men run this business.”

“In terms of my work and my career, race has never been an issue. I’ve been making movies for 40 years and never once could I not get a movie made because I was black. I transcended that stuff.”

“But that’s not to say I walked out of heaven and into Hollywood. I’m a black man who was born in America; I’m African-American. Growing up in this country, there’s no way you’re not going to have to face some shit,” he added.

“Right now, we’re going through a period of political correctness and people are a little more uptight about comedy – but there’s no expiration date on funny,” he said.

“It’s been this way for years and years, but it’s not just African-Americans; it’s also about women and other minorities, too,” he said. “White men run this business. It’s always been this way.”

“It’s almost like there was this thing where for the last couple years, people had to apologize for saying this and that. It seems like I’m seeing a couple comics going ‘You know what? Enough of this shit. I’m doing my thing and let the chips fall where they may,’” Murphy said.

“That’s where I’m coming from,” he added. “I’m not planning to step on nobody’s foot or get in some controversy or turn over the applecart. I’m just going to be Eddie. Whatever comes out, that’s what it’s going to be.”