Joaquin Phoenix is receiving tons of praise from his Black counterparts for calling out “systematic racism” at the 2020 BAFTA Awards.

“I feel very honored and privileged to be here tonight. The Baftas have already been very supportive of my career and I’m deeply appreciative. But I have to say that I also feel conflicted because so many of my fellow actors that are deserving don’t have that same privilege,” Phoenix stated before addressing the elephant in the room. “I think that we send a very clear message to people of color that you’re not welcome here.”

The Joker star went on to say that he’s “ashamed” to be apart of the problem that he and his peers benefit from. “But I think it’s more than just having sets that are multi-cultural. We have to do really the hard work to truly understand systemic racism. I think it is the obligation of the people that have created and perpetuate and benefit from a system of oppression to be the ones that dismantle it. So that’s on us.”

Viola Davis, who won a Bafta award in 2017 for her role in Fences, thanked Phoenix for his “honesty, solidarity and courage”.

Kerry Washington thanked Joaquin Phoenix for spewing “FACTS in his BAFTA speech.”

Check out the full speech below:

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