M. Catharine Evans "During an advanced screening of his new movie, the celebrated black actor Denzel Washington was asked by the Grio whether blacks, in particular, can "truly makes change as things are right now."
With no hesitation, Washington stated:
It starts in the home[.] ... If the father is not in the home the boy will find a father in the streets. I saw it in my generation and every generation before me, and every one since. If the streets raise you, then the judge becomes your mother and prison becomes your home.
"Speaking specifically about the American prison complex to the New York Daily News, Mr. Washington repeated his assertions:
It starts with how you raise your children. If a young man doesn't have a father figure, he'll go find a father figure. So you know I can't blame the system…It's unfortunate that we make such easy work for them.
"This is nothing new for the two-time Oscar-winner. Washington made similar comments in a GQ interview in 2012. When asked what he would say to African-American readers of GQ, Washington responded:
. . .Take responsibility. One of the things that saddens me the most about my people is fathers that don't take care of their sons and daughters. And you can't blame that on The Man or getting frisked. Take responsibility. Look in the mirror and say, "What can I do better?" There is opportunity; you can make it. ... Keep the body in tune – it's your temple. All things in moderation. Continue to search. That's the best part of life for me – continue to try to be the best man."