Afro-Latina actress Zoe Saldana says her film credits, rooted in the world of science fiction, allows her to artistically transcend race and gender politics.

In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, the Dominican and Puerto Rican actress who starred in alternative universe films such as Avatar, Star Trek, Guardians of the Galaxy and its sequel, broke down her attraction to science fiction and her conscious when it comes to color in Hollywood.

I love working with people who let their imaginations go. Plus, you get to play characters who defy gravity. I like that. It makes me feel superhuman because, obviously, it’s been brought to my attention continuously since I was born that I’m not a conventional person because of the color of my skin or my gender or my cultural background. So I think science fiction has given me the ability as an artist to be colorblind, and gender-blind, and to imagine and reinvent myself and be the chameleon actors are supposed to be.

True, one of the many beauties of acting is transformation and the freedom of digging into various parts of your psyche.

However, in addition to that, we’re in a space where race, diversity and inclusivity has been at the forefront of conversation. Is it really possible to escape race dialogue?

If you recall, in one of her most controversial roles, where she portrayed the iconic Nina Simone and wore a prosthetic nose, Saldana went to bat with critics to defend her Blackness.

“There’s no one way to be Black,” she explained. “I’m Black the way I know how to be. You have no idea who I am. I am Black. I’m raising Black men. Don’t you ever think you can look at me and address me with such disdain.”

What are your thoughts on Saldana’s perspective?