“What would America be like if we loved black people as much as we love black culture?” RacismCultural AppropriationIntersectional Feminism Author:Amandla Stenberg
“My activism does not need proof to be real. It exists in the work of my bones against weight in the morning.” FeminismActivismAmandla Stenberg Author:Amandla Stenberg
“Don't denounce our pain as savage. What's savage is the cruel inhumanity and brutality of the police. Condemn that.” PainPoliceSavagesBrutalityInhumanity Author:Amandla Stenberg
“What would America be like if we loved black people as much as we loved black culture?” PeopleIfsAmericaCultureBlackBlack PeopleAppropriationBlack Culture Author:Amandla Stenberg
“But here’s the thing: Appropriation occurs when a style leads to racist generalizations or stereotypes where it originated, but is deemed as high fashion, cool, or funny when the privileged take it for themselves. Appropriation occurs when the appropriator is not aware of the deep significance of the culture that they are partaking in.” CultureFashionStyleRacistSignificancePrivilegedStereotypeGeneralizationAppropriationHigh Fashion Author:Amandla Stenberg
“I think people discredit teenagers and how wise they can be. Sometimes I meet teenagers who are much wiser than many adults I've met, because they haven't let any insecurities or doubts about themselves get in the way of their thoughts.” PeopleThinkingWaySometimesDoubtWiseHavensMetsAdultsTeenagerInsecurityWiserDiscredit Author:Amandla Stenberg
“Whenever black women have a point, they're characterized as angry black women, and therefore the thing they're talking about is no longer of importance because they have to deal with them being overly emotional or something. I recognize that people who respond negatively to what I have to say aren't at a place yet where they are able to learn ... And it's exactly what I'm trying to fight.” PeopleTryingAbleFightingBlackDealsTalkingEmotionalImportanceAngryBlack Women Author:Amandla Stenberg
“It's a tiny revolution to express yourself fully and be who you want to be, especially when systems tell you that you can't. I've realized how powerful it is for me to just discuss issues with young people and begin conversations.” PeopleWantYoungPowerfulIssuesRevolutionConversationTinyExpress Yourself Author:Amandla Stenberg
“It's easier to say, 'Don't care about what anyone thinks,' than it is to actually not care about what anyone thinks. But, honestly, anything you're passionate about, that's what you'll be the best at.” ThinkingCareEasierPassionateDon't CareHonestlyBeing The Best Author:Amandla Stenberg
“It's so important to create roles and characters and projects that feature black people in a way that's not specifically targeted toward the niche market, which is, like, a black movie is created and it's produced and pitched so that only black people will watch it ... I want to see dynamic characters and roles that everyone wants to watch.” PeopleWayWantImportantCharacterBlackRolesWatchesProjectsFeaturesBlack PeopleNicheBlack MovieDynamic Characters Author:Amandla Stenberg
“I wonder how many college tuitions could be paid off with the amount of money spent by Minions on advertisement.” WonderCollegeAmountPaidAdvertisementsTuitionPaid OffMinionsCollege Tuition Author:Amandla Stenberg
“I want to be fulfilled creatively as an actress and get to be in roles that are meaningful and impactful. I hope the same thing for myself as a director, one day. I want to make things that have an impact on how we look at the world.” WorldWantLooksRolesOne DayDirectorsImpactActressesMeaningfulFulfilled Author:Amandla Stenberg
“I love all kinds of art. I mean, I love sketching and acting and music.” KindMeanArtActingAll KindsSketching Author:Amandla Stenberg
“It's really cool to have the ability to try on being different people and to explore some parts of yourself because you get to know yourself better. You get to know parts of yourself that you haven't met before.” PeopleKnowsTryingDifferentAbilityHavensMetsDifferent PeoplesKnow YourselfReally CoolBeing Different Author:Amandla Stenberg
“When we're growing up and being teenagers, oftentimes you try so hard to define yourself. You try to create an image of yourself because you don't really know who you are yet. And that can be kind of limiting because you forget that there are actually so many different sides of identity. And it's important to recognize that everyone is completely different.” KnowsTryingKindImportantDifferentHardSidesForgetGrowing UpGrowingIdentityWho You AreTeenagerBe KindDefine YourselfDifferent SidesBeing A Teenager Author:Amandla Stenberg
“There are so many different ways to make art. And so many good stories. You don't have to have a budget. I feel like it's super possible these days for people to make anything, no matter who you are or where you come from. And that's really exciting. I'm excited to see people around me pushing boundaries in that way, not letting certain structures define them or what art they can make.” PeopleWayFeelsArtDifferentMatterStoriesCertainExcitingStructureWho You AreExcitedBoundariesThese DaysBudgetsDifferent WaysPushingGood StoryWhere You ComePushing Boundaries Author:Amandla Stenberg
“If I didn't end up talking about the things that I care about, I wouldn't be myself. I didn't like the idea that I would be a different person on the internet than I would be in real life. And I see people struggling. I see people who face prejudice and people who feel invisible. And I recognize that I already have a built-in platform that I can utilize so easily to actually do something.” PeopleIfsFeelsPersonsI CanIdeasDifferentRealEndsWould BeCareFacesTalkingStruggleInternetBuiltPrejudiceReal LifeInvisiblePlatformsI Care Author:Amandla Stenberg
“When you are a marginalized person or a woman of color and/or someone who's a part of the LGBTQ community, your acts become politicized, just by being yourself. Because we're not completely accepting of all different kinds of human beings. By being myself, I'm doing something political.” HumansKindPersonsDifferentPoliticalCommunityHuman BeingsAcceptingColorBeing YourselfDifferent KindsBeing MyselfMarginalized Author:Amandla Stenberg
“I'm continuously playing this game of what's real and what's not real, and having to balance and judge and realize that there are things that carry real weight in the world and actually have power in them. And there are things that are just pointless, and you don't have to pay attention to those things.” WorldRealGamesRealizingPayAttentionJudgingBalanceWeightPay AttentionPointless Author:Amandla Stenberg
“People experience all kinds of prejudice because of all different parts of themselves. And that doesn't make one part more important than the other. We live in a society that does not openly accept every kind of human being. And so the result is when you are yourself and someone who's marginalized, it becomes a revolutionary act - just being comfortable in your own body and being comfortable speaking, sharing your ideas. It's really amazing and also, like, kind of sad.” PeopleHumansKindDoeImportantIdeasDifferentBodyHuman BeingsResultsAcceptingComfortablePrejudiceAll KindsRevolutionaryJust BeingMarginalizedReally Amazing Author:Amandla Stenberg
“I think there's this great disconnect between youth culture and politics, which is a product of how our capitalist system works.” ThinkingCultureYouthProductsCapitalistYouth Culture Author:Amandla Stenberg
“I've pretty much grown up on set, and my favorite part about it is being able to actually see how movies are made. I knew when I was about 14 that I wanted to be a director and that I wanted to go to NYU for film school. It kind of feels like it's been a long time coming.It's a relief to actually be in, because the college process is so hyped-up.” KindLongSchoolFilmCollegeMy Favorite Author:Amandla Stenberg
“I think there are two sides of the coin. On one hand, it can be challenging to access different parts of yourself, and you kind of have to put yourself back into reality when you're done with the job. But I think it's also really cool to have the ability to try on being different people and to explore some parts of yourself because you get to know yourself better. You get to know parts of yourself that you haven't met before. I think that's something that I've been learning more recently.” PeopleThinkingTryingKindDifferentDoneRealityChallengesAbilityKnow YourselfReally CoolBeing Different Author:Amandla Stenberg
“I think part of growing up is not actually finding a fixed idea of who you are, but rather being like, "Oh, wait. I'm different all the time. I'm going to change every second and grow and be fluid." And that's okay.” ThinkingDifferentWaitingGrowing UpOkayWho You Are Author:Amandla Stenberg
“There's so much power in allegory, to form ideas and learn lessons that you can actually take and apply to real life. I think that's why I originally really loved fantasy and reading.” ThinkingRealReadingFantasyReal LifeAllegory Author:Amandla Stenberg
“I feel like the world is dominated by such a small group of human beings. There are so many different kinds of people that aren't represented, that don't have characters who look like them. And that's one of the reasons why I intend on being a director, because I want to actually tell some of these stories. I also think that we place such intense emphasis on award shows when they're not necessarily the best reflection of how good the work is. We need to realize that art and creation are so much bigger than an award or any measure of accomplishment.” PeopleThinkingWorldKindArtDifferentReasonCharacterRealizingCreationReflectionIntenseAccomplishmentDifferent KindsBeing There Author:Amandla Stenberg
“Yes, there's something dangerous about turning people into token social activists. I was thinking about this recently with our pop-culture feminism, when feminism is such a buzzword in the media now. We're covering it in a way that we haven't before, but also in a way that's way more surface level. And while I think that there's some danger in that, I also think it's a great gateway for some people.” PeopleThinkingFeminismDangerousDangerActivist Author:Amandla Stenberg
“I do definitely get boxed into this #BlackGirlMagic social activist category. But it makes me think, "Well, maybe people are able to start thinking about that concept earlier and will hopefully be inspired to delve deeper into it and research it more." I think that's just how the media works. It's just very good at compartmentalizing human beings.” PeopleThinkingInspiredVery GoodHopefullyActivist Author:Amandla Stenberg
“I don't really see myself that way, as some typical sexy young ingénue. I've never been that way. And, for a while, there was a disconnect between who I am and how I present myself on a public platform. That was because I didn't necessarily feel comfortable sharing that much of myself with other people who I didn't know.” PeopleSexy Author:Amandla Stenberg
“I'm realizing that the people who criticize what I'm doing, their intentions and comments are not actually real.There's nothing happening in the real world outside of whatever they're writing on the internet. Whereas for the people who feel inspired by what I'm doing, there's something so concrete and powerful in what's happening when they feel empowered. There's actually some kind of growth or self-acceptance, some kind of self-love that's actually being triggered, hopefully. And that's real.” PeopleWorldWritingKindRealGrowthRealizingPowerfulInternetIntentionInspiredHopefullyCriticizeCommentReal WorldConcreteEmpowered Author:Amandla Stenberg
“I oftentimes receive the question, "What do you think is the most important social issue to focus on?" Or, "What's the most important component of identity? Is it gay rights or race or feminism?" And I'm like, "Well, they're all intertwined. It's all one conversation at the end of the day. You can't just pick one." I mean, people experience all kinds of prejudice because of all different parts of themselves. And that doesn't make one part more important than the other.” PeopleThinkingKindMeanImportantDifferentFocusFeminismIdentityGayPrejudiceAll KindsSocial IssuesGay RightsMean People Author:Amandla Stenberg
“I hope one day it's not revolutionary just to be yourself, but I think that the work that's being done around identity and personhood is so important.I feel inspired by people around me who are part of this movement as well: Hari Nef and Rowan Blanchard and Willow Smith and these kids who are really not going to listen to anyone. "I'm just going to say whatever I feel. I'm going to be myself. And if you don't like it, then, you can go screw yourself."” PeopleThinkingImportantDoneKidsIdentityOne DayInspiredRevolutionaryBeing YourselfScrew You Author:Amandla Stenberg
“I think there's this great disconnect between youth culture and politics, which is a product of how our capitalist system works. I mean, a lot of the kids I know are really politically involved. They really care about politics. I think we're going to have an incredible impact on how politics end up shaking this country.” ThinkingMeanCountryCareKidsCultureYouthIncrediblesCapitalistShaking Author:Amandla Stenberg
“The most important lesson I've learned is to not limit myself. Kids at my age often get intimidated by the idea of adulthood and feel like they have to know exactly who they are and what they want to do with their lives. I've realized that it's okay to take my time figuring it out and exploring different aspects of myself instead of fixating on one idea of who I am.” ImportantDifferentKidsAgeOkayAdulthoodExploringIntimidated Author:Amandla Stenberg
“My hope is to see people of color in roles that do not emphasize race. Often times when movies are centered around people of color, they are movies where the storyline is based on some racial component. I want to see movies where people of color play more interesting, nuanced characters.” PeopleCharacterInteresting Author:Amandla Stenberg
“Black Girl Magic is a radiant revolution against misogynoir - misogyny directed towards Black women and internalized hatred. Black women are subject to so many societal messages that tell them they are not beautiful, smart, or capable. Black Girl Magic is the conscious unraveling of those toxic concepts through self-love and acceptance. It preaches that despite the pressures I face, I glow more than ever before.” BeautifulGirlBlackMagicAcceptanceRevolutionCapableSmartConsciousHatredMisogynyBlack WomenBlack Girl Author:Amandla Stenberg
“My conception around being a woman in 2016 has definitely been shifting over the past year, because I feel like I'm proud of womanhood, and I feel attached to it, and at the same time I'm someone who doesn't believe in having a gender binary, and so often times I separate those two concepts in my mind - the concept of being a woman and the concept of being a girl or being female, being kind of attached to a certain gender identity.” MindBelieveKindPastGirlIdentityProudFemaleGenderBe KindWomanhoodOver The PastBinaryBeing A Girl Author:Amandla Stenberg
“I'd say my relation to being a woman is, I mean being a woman is whatever you want because the concept of gender is not really real, you know? And so for me it's about being comfortable in myself. It's about allowing myself to express who I am in any way that I want to, whether that be through my clothing, the way I present myself to the world, whether that be through like my gender identity and my pronouns. It's just really about allowing yourself to really be expressive and creative.” WorldMeanRealCreativeIdentityRelationGender Author:Amandla Stenberg
“I think the best piece of advice that I would give is beauty is really just - I know it sounds cheesy - being true to who you are. Beauty is not something that is acquired necessarily through like makeup or clothing.” ThinkingGivingAdviceWho You AreBeing TrueMakeupCheesy Author:Amandla Stenberg
“The thing that makes makeup or clothing or fashion beautiful is the fact that the person wearing them loves themselves and loves being able to kind of use them as artistic tools. And so if I was to give one piece of advice, it would be to find beauty in your core first before you go out into the world and find it in other ways.” WorldGivingKindBeautifulLove IsAdviceFashionArtisticMakeupOne Piece Author:Amandla Stenberg
“I have so many mentors. I'm really lucky to be surrounded by incredible mentors, whether it be Solange Knowles or Gloria Steinem or Ava DuVernay, there are so many awesome people in my life, and so I'm lucky for them to kind of have fostered my identity as I grow into myself.” PeopleKindIdentityLuckyIncrediblesMentor Author:Amandla Stenberg
“The internet has allowed me to just be authentically myself, as opposed to having to perpetuate a certain image, and so I'm lucky that I don't have to fit into a certain box.” InternetFitLucky Author:Amandla Stenberg
“I think that can also be the downfall at the same time in what's really difficult about being kind of in the public eye, you have so much exposure through the Internet, and you can receive a lot of comments, and you get kind of immediate gratification, but also immediate response from people that can either be negative or positive. But I'm really thankful for the internet because it's allowed me to connect with people so much more easily.” PeopleThinkingKindEyeDifficultInternetNegativeResponseBe KindCommentGratificationDownfall Author:Amandla Stenberg
“Just when you look around and you see people with straight hair in media, you kind of feel the need to fit in, so it's kind of a constant battle loving my hair. It's something that I'm continuously working on.” PeopleKindFitBattle Author:Amandla Stenberg
“I think one of the core ideas in America has always been conversation and being able to question our systems of government, and being able to dictate our own communities and how we want this country to work. And I feel like we're losing part of that because of the way that even our current political campaign is centered more around celebrity than anything else, and so we're kind of losing conversation. We're still having conversations, but they seem to be more about like Donald Trump's hair and like memes of his face more than anything else.” ThinkingKindCountryPoliticalCommunityLosingPolitical Campaign Author:Amandla Stenberg
“I do think that my generation is really smart and wants to have political conversations, and so I hope that we can continue spreading our ideas and being able to change how our systems work. So, I guess being an all-American to me is being someone who questions things.” ThinkingPoliticalSmartReally Smart Author:Amandla Stenberg
“Growing up, I didn't receive the representation that I wanted so badly. I was always looking out for black characters - black women - that were specifically just about existing and weren't necessarily racialized or were centered around race.” CharacterBlackGrowing UpRepresentationBlack Women Author:Amandla Stenberg
“It's hard to find black roles that are just whimsical and fun and colorful. And I think, in many ways, that can be just as powerful in making commentary about race through movies.” ThinkingFunBlackPowerfulColorfulWhimsical Author:Amandla Stenberg
“My hope as an actress is knowing that I'm someone who is more privileged - I'm biracial and lighter-skinned - and I hope it can open up the door for more women of color, especially darker-skinned black women. I hope everyone hops on the bandwagon and decides to start putting women of color in movies that aren't just about race.” BlackBlack Women Author:Amandla Stenberg
