Colorism Chronicles: Amandla Stenberg Eloquently Address Folks Finicky Over Starr’s Light Complexion In “The Hate U Give”

July 26, 2018

(Photo by Ryan Theriot/Getty Images for 20th Century Fox Pictures)

Angie Thomas And Amandla Stenberg Address Skin Complexion Issue

Ever since author Angie Thomas’ book “The Hate U Give” blew up into a movie, folks have had something to say about actress Amandla being casted for the role of Starr. Starr is the main character in the book and she is described in the book as having a medium-brown complexion.

Bottom of page 31 of The Hate U Give.. “medium brown complexion” the cover art doesn’t look like Starr, and for the most part Starr has a ponytail not an Afro. So stfu please and thanks #TheHateUGive pic.twitter.com/oU9igMkmJc

— Alysha Robinson (@RobinsonAly97) June 24, 2018

However, folks still take issue with Amandla being the center piece of the movie. Dozens of tweets like this one were posted ever since the movie trailer dropped…

I'm excited for this movie, and I personally love Amandla, but I think this was a HUGE missed oppurtiunity to cast a dark-skinned girl to play Starr. We deserve to see ourselves on screen too and i'm tired of only seeing light-skinned black girls in movies. https://t.co/xJws7QcexW

— That Angry Black Chick (@naimamuhammad53) June 26, 2018

Tense issue! But, both author Angie Thomas and Amandla address folks with concerns about her snagging a role from a darker skinned actress. Hit the flip to see what they said.