By: Patricia Trutescu

TheGrio.com writer, Chris Witherspoon interviews rapper and actor, Common about his various movies roles.

In his most recent film part, The Odd Life of Timothy Green – this is currently in theaters – Common acts alongside Jennifer Garner, Joel Edgerton, and CJ Adams. Here, he plays Coach Cal, Timothy’s soccer coach. Other film like Smokin’ Aces, Just Wright, and New Year’s Eve are included in Common’s on-screen acting resume. In his interview, the rapper talks about the character he plays on the AMC television series Hell On Wheels – a freed slave named Elam Ferguson.

Throughout the AMC series, Elam Ferguson comes to terms with the risks and responsibilities of his newly-acquired freedom. He tells Witherspoon:

“I really do feel a responsibility playing Elam Ferguson, who is an African American or black man of that time, and is really strong and intelligent and a leader.

“During the scenes where I get to speak up for Elam and black people I definitely feel like it’s necessary. It’s a statement for a human being to say “hey I wanna stand up for myself and I deserve to be respected in the same way you do.”

Watch and listen to more of Common’s interview with TheGrio.com right here:

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