Caleb McLaughlin, the star of Stranger Things, has claimed that he has experienced prejudice from viewers. When questioned about how he handled being one of the few black cast members in the Netflix blockbuster, the 20-year-old who plays Lucas Sinclair answered the question.
He claimed that the way certain supporters treated him “had a toll” on him.
He told attendees of a convention in Belgium, “At my very first Comic-Con, some people didn’t stand in my line because I was black.
One of the initial five major characters, along with Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo, Noah Schnapp, and Millie Bobby Brown, Caleb began Stranger Things at the age of 14.
Caleb spoke with fans on stage at Heroes Comic Con in Brussels about how the other actors have more Instagram followers than he does.
He claims to have asked his parents why he was the “least favorite” even though he was “on the same show as everyone” in a video that was posted on Twitter by an attendee.
“It was up to my parents to say, “It’s a terrible truth, but you’re the only black kid on the show.”
I’m not adored because I was born with this lovely chocolate skin.
About Lucas’s animosity towards Millie Bobby Brown’s character in season one, Caleb said that people avoided him at the early meet and greets, telling him it was “because you were rude to Eleven.”
He addressed supporters in Belgium,
“Even now, some people don’t support me or follow me because I’m black.”
“You can sometimes sense racism and hatred abroad.”
Even though it can be challenging to discuss and explain, it had a significant impact on me when I was younger.
It’s difficult for black Stranger Things fan Kadie to learn of Caleb’s ordeal.
The 21-year-old tells BBC Newsbeat, “I wish it was a surprise, but it was a ‘here you go’ moment.
She claims that it was “a repeat moment” and a very familiar experience for many in the black community.
“It makes you sad and angry at first, but then you brush it off and realize it’s a repeat, and you feel awful for the actor,” she says.
Kadie believes that to make things better, there needs to be greater diversity in both the casting and production teams.
More diversity, she claims, “will help modify people’s perspectives if we put more color in their face,” even though the issue will still exist.
Despite being a huge blockbuster, Stranger Things has come under fire for its lack of diverse casting and claims that it undervalues its black characters.
The most recent black celebrity to discuss criticism about the shows they appeared in is Caleb.
Actors from The Lord of the Rings recently denounced the “relentless” racism that the characters of the recently released spin-off series The Rings of Power had to endure.
Online trolls harassed non-white performers who played a variety of imaginary white roles.
“Spread Optimism”
The star of another fantasy drama spin-off, House of the Dragon, lashed out at racist trolls who criticized his casting in the upcoming Game of Thrones series while speaking at this summer’s Comic-Con event in the US.
Lord Corlys Velaryon’s actor, Steve Toussaint, said that it was “an issue they have to deal with, I don’t have to.”
People who were offended by the cartoon version’s depiction of a white mermaid criticized Disney for recently released the trailer for a new live-action adaptation of the Little Mermaid, which stars the black actress Halle Bailey.
In support of Halle, who is the ideal Ariel, fellow Disney actor Rachel Zegler said: “If you don’t support my girl Halle, you don’t support any of us.”
Caleb claimed that despite his experiences, he was determined to avoid being drawn into negativity.
I don’t give hate back to people who give it to me, so I want to spread positivity and love with my platform, he said.
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