Jamie Foxx Blasts Attacks On Black History

Jamie Foxx is speaking out about the attempts to erase the achievements of Black people.

Speaking to Extra’s Melvin Robert at the L.A. premiere of Number One on the Call Sheet, his new documentary, the Academy Award winner shared the importance of telling Black stories.

“You didn’t know that that exists when you’re trying to make it. You didn’t know that there was a thing called number one of the call sheet… Look at Will [Smith] — he’s been doing it for so long — and Denzel [Washington], and we get these chances to step up,” Foxx explained. “I like to sort of lead the artistic charge and have everybody happy. We’re playing make-believe at the highest level. There is pressure on you, but good pressure, and it feels good to be able to do it in such a great fashion.”

For the two-part doc, Foxx enlisted some of the best Black talent in the film industry.

“Then to be able to get all these guys and women together to talk about it… You know how hard it is in Hollywood to get a yes. You know how hard it is to get a yes… And we promised all those guys — Kevin Hart, The Rock, everybody: We don’t wanna let your feet touch the ground,” Foxx said. “We want this to be an incredible moment in your life… that you could look on and be like, ‘Man, I’m glad I went down there.’ And we believe we’ve got something very special.”

Jamie also shared how he will not allow his art or Black history to be wiped away.

“They trying to erase everything we do… They talking about the DEI, affirmative action, we don’t need Black history,” Foxx argued. “Why you picking on our history? So, we just do more history. The more you erase, the more we replace,” he said. “So, that’s all it is. We ain’t gonna be shy about it. Leave us alone. Let us enjoy. Let us all be American.”

“We give so much to the culture, and look at what we give: We give them the swag, fashions, the bops, moves, everything — and we don’t charge! … Well, give us back some of our stuff if it’s DEI!”

Number One on the Call Sheet pays tribute to the contributions of Black leading men and women in Hollywood.

Reginald Hudlin directs the first installment which is dedicated to “Black Leading Men in Hollywood.” Part two, directed by Shola Lynch, focuses on “Black Leading Women in Hollywood.

Number One on the Call Sheet premieres March 28 on Apple TV+.