<p>A white theatre director is under fire for claiming to be black to win grants that are meant for people of color. According to <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/anthony-ekundayo-lennon-black-white-theatre-director-job-people-of-colour-actor-artist-tawala-a8617011.html">The Independent</a>, the man’s name is Anthony Ekundayo Lennon (David is his original middle name) and he identifies as a “born-again African.”</p>
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<p>Although he was born to white Irish parents, he says “Everybody on the planet is African” so “it’s your choice as to whether you accept it.”</p>
<blockquote><p>He talked about his racial identity when he appeared on a 1990s episode of BBC series Everyman, the synopsis for which says: “Anthony Lennon was born in Kilburn, west London. His parents both come from Ireland and are both indisputably white.</p>
<p>“Anthony now earns his living as a black actor, because ever since he was a child he has looked black. When his friends, who are mostly black, find out about his background, fierce debates invariably follow; about whether Anthony really can call himself black, and about what black skin means to those who are born black.”</p>
<p>Critics have described the decision to award Mr Lennon with “crucial funding dedicated to artists of colour” as a “kick in the teeth” for black aspiring actors and artists.</p></blockquote>
<p>According to <a href="https://newsone.com/3835260/anthony-lennon-london-born-again-african/">reports</a>, he won a Arts Council England two-year fellowship for artists of color by applying as a mixed heritage person. Lennon, who has worked on all-black productions, was awarded $500,000. He previously said he’s “gone through the struggles of a Black man” because of his hair texture and high cheekbones in an ebook, pulled up by the <a href="https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/anthony-lennon-my-genes-are-white-but-im-black-v7tmnw7xw">The Sunday Times</a>.</p>
<p>His story is being compared to Rachel Dolezal, who is known for sparking the debate around racial identity when it comes to white people identifying as black.</p>
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