“What would America be like if we loved black people as much as we loved black culture?” PeopleIfsAmericaCultureBlackBlack PeopleAppropriationBlack Culture 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 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
“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
“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
“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 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 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
“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
“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
“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
“People assume that because I'm a celebrity and have this platform that I always know what I'm talking about. I guess I don't always know what I'm talking about because I'm a kid who's trying to figure it out amid all the chaos of the world at large, and also the chaos of having this voice and responsibility. At the same time, this voice and responsibility has been the biggest blessing because I'm able to create change just by posting something on Instagram. That's really amazing. I can't believe that I get to have that megaphone and I get to decide how to use it.” PeopleWorldTryingBelieveKidsResponsibilityBlessingAssumingChaosReally Amazing Author:Amandla Stenberg
