‘I’m not racist:’ Neeson
Admission he wanted to ‘unleash violence’ on a black man decades ago is drawing fire
LOS ANGELES — Liam Neeson denies he is a racist after recent comments he made about an incident that happened decades ago drew backlash.
Neeson was the subject of controversy when he revealed in an interview earlier this week with the Independent that he wanted to “unleash physical violence” on a black man upon learning his close friend was brutally raped more than 40 years ago.
The actor went on Good Morning America Tuesday to clarify his remarks, telling host Robin Roberts: “I’m not racist.”
“I never felt this before, which was a primal urge to lash out,” he said. “I asked her, ‘Did you know the person? It was a man? His race?’ She said he was a black man. I thought, ‘OK.’ After that, there were some nights I went out deliberately into black areas in this city, looking to be set upon so that I could unleash physical violence. I did it for maybe four or five times. It really shocked me, this primal urge I had. It shocked me and it hurt me. I did seek help. I went to a priest. I had two very good friends I talked to, and believe it or not — power walking — to get rid of this.”
Roberts explained that people were upset because Neeson asked about the colour of her attackers skin, rather than attributes such as height or weight.
“I asked all those questions too,” he qualified. “But I did ask about race.”
Neeson said he would have had the same reaction if his friend said her rapist were a white man.
“I know it would have had the same effect,” he said. “I was trying to show honour and stand up for my dear friend in this terrible, medieval fashion. I’m a fairly intelligent guy and that’s why it shocked me when I came down to Earth after having these horrible feelings.”
Neeson then turned the tables on Roberts, asking her what she thinks the teachable moment should be.
Roberts commended Neeson for not shying away from the situation and addressing it head-on.
“You have to also understand the pain of a black person hearing what you said,” she said.