Actor Morgan Freeman thinks the media makes too much about race relations and its connection to wealth distribution.

The Shawshank Redemption star told CNN host Don Lemon that people use race as an excuse for failure, but that isn’t the case in today’s America.

Do you think that race plays a part in wealth distribution?” Lemon asked the “Through the Wormhole” star in an interview Tuesday. “Today?” Freeman asked.”No. No, I don’t. You and I, we’re proof.” “Why would race have anything to do with it?” he said. “Put your mind to what you want to do and go for that. It’s kind of like religion to me, it’s a good excuse for not getting there.

Freeman made news last year when he labeled the Tea Party racist for criticizing President Barack Obama.