Racism has been prevalent in TV shows and series for a long time. Caleb McLaughlin, best known for playing the role of Lucas Sinclair in the hit Netflix series stranger things opened up about the experience he received due to the color of his skin.
The actor spoke at Heroes Comic Con Belgium and shared how it affected him when he was little. The actor has since found plenty of support as people have fought back against the racist behavior many people show.
Caleb McLaughlin talks about his experience
Speaking at Heroes Comic Con Belgium, the actor opened up about his experience dealing with racism. The actor then revealed that he received hate even when he was just a child during the first season of stranger things created in 2016.
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“It definitely affected me as a young kid. My very first Comic-Con, some people didn’t toe my line because I was black. Some people were like, ‘Oh, I didn’t want to to be in your line because you were mean to Eleven.”
The concrete cowboy the actor continued,
Even now some people don’t follow me or support me because I’m black. Sometimes abroad you feel racism, you feel bigotry. Sometimes it’s hard to talk about and for people to understand, but when I was younger it definitely affected me a lot.
Adding salt to the wound, he also said he has fewer followers than his co-stars such as Noah Schnapp or Finn Wolfhard, all because, in his words, “was born with this beautiful chocolate skin”
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In the Heroes Comic Con Belgium, the discourse on racism was one of the major points of discussion on these sensitive issues in the Hollywood industry. Many movies and series face a lot of backlash because the lead actor is a person of color.
Steve Touissant, who plays the character of Corlys Velaryon in Dragon House, and Ismael Enrique Cruz Córdova who plays Arondir in the rings of power also spoke about their experiences, including hateful posts and racist comments. Caleb McLaughlin will again be seen donning Lucas Sinclair’s clothes when stranger things returns for its 5th and (allegedly) final season.
stranger things is available to stream on Netflix.
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Source: Entertainment Weekly
