'How can I do better as a white man?': Matthew McConaughey talks about race with Emmanuel Acho

Matthew McConaughey and "Speak for Yourself" co-host Emmanuel Acho sat down for a conversation about race, white privilege and what McConaughey can do better as a white man.

In an IGTV video posted Tuesday, the Oscar-winning actor told the former NFL player he came on his digital series to "have a conversation, hopefully promote more conversation and with the end goal being that we take the time we are now in to constructively turn the page in history through some righteous and justifiable change."

McConaughey added: "Someone like me, how can I do better as a human? How can I do better as a man? How can I do better as a white man?"

Following George Floyd's death at the hands of a white police officer in Minneapolis last month, Acho created "Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man" for white people to increase their level of "understanding" which can "lead ultimately to change."

Acho leaned into the theme of his show and noted it would be an uncomfortable conversation.

"You have to acknowledge that there's a problem so that you can take more ownership for the problem," Acho said. "Individually, you have to acknowledge implicit bias, you have to acknowledge that you'll see a black man and for whatever reason, you will view them as more of a threat than the white man. Probably because society told you to."

McConaughey went on to ask Acho about "Black Lives Matter" and "All Lives Matter." The former Cleveland Browns player likened it to the current coronavirus pandemic, saying once society can get the unjust killings of Black people handled, then we can begin to focus on other things.

So you want to learn about racism?: Stream these 20 compelling movies and TV shows

The "Gentlemen" actor also asked about equality, noting there's debate about what it means.

"It's been an American issue forever and we continue to work and grow and evolve and debate what the definition of equality should be. There's unilateral equality, there's diverse equality," McConaughey said. "It's a topic that I don't think we can answer right now, but I'd love to hear your opinion on it."

Acho said he doesn't believe there's equality in the United States as Black people still suffer repercussions from slavery.

"If you get on a boat, there is a wake that follows the boat. Although you may not still be driving the boat, there are African Americans getting smacked by the wake left of slavery," Acho said. "Systemic injustice, poor school systems, voter suppression. There is a wake and that's why things aren't equal… don't feel guilty, just acknowledge it."

More: Looking for books about racism? Experts suggest these must-read titles for adults and kids

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Matthew McConaughey talks with Emmanuel Acho about race and equality