“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
“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
“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 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 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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“I think 'The Hunger Games' has a really powerful message about survival, and sacrificing for the ones you love. It's almost like a warning for us to not lose touch of our humanity. We live in a world in which we watch other's misfortunes for entertainment.” ThinkingWorldLoveAgeHumanityGamesLosesPowerfulWatchesSacrificeMessagesSurvivalHungerEntertainmentMisfortunesWarningReally Powerful Author:Amandla Stenberg
