Stranger Things: Caleb McLaughlin talks about suffering from racism from fans of the series

“It definitely influenced me,” the actor admits.

very strange things is one of the most successful series on the platform Netflix. The series, set in the 80s, with a touch of horror and suspense, is already nearing its end. fifth season. But even this success did not stop him from Caleb McLaughlinone of the black actors in the cast got hurt racism.

during the congress comic book heroes from Belgium, on Sunday, actor Caleb McLaughlin, who plays the character Lucas Sinclair, talked openly about how racism the public influenced him during part of his life, especially when he was younger:

“It definitely influenced me as a child”– said the actor. “At my first Comic Con, some people didn’t line up for me because I was black. Some people said to me, “Oh, I didn’t want to stand in your line because you treated Eleven badly.” [Millie Bobby Brown]’”. McLaughlin went on to say this: “Even now some people don’t follow me and support me because I’m black. Sometimes abroad you feel racism, you feel fanaticism. Sometimes it’s hard to talk and people understand, but when I was younger it definitely had a big impact on me.”

Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair in Stranger Things

Caleb started acting at a very young age, in his early teens, in 14 years. And if racism is a painful reality for adults, imagine it for a child. He admitted that he doubted the reasons why “unloved”the one with “fewer followers” because he was as much a part of the program as anyone else. (via variety)

According to the actor, country played a key role in his coping process as he was openly spoken to:

“My parents had to say, ‘That’s the sad truth, but that’s because you’re a black kid on the show’…Because I was born with this beautiful chocolate skin, I’m not loved.” added. “But that’s why I want to spread positivity and love through my platform because I don’t respond with hate to people who hate me.”

Unfortunately, this is not an isolated case. Many black actors have spoken openly about the racism they are subjected to in their productions, such as Ismael Cruz Córdoba, the actor who plays arondir, elf in Rings of Power. We also had a recent teaser in Mermaidin which the actress and singer Halle Bailey was subjected to numerous attacks due to the fact that she was chosen for the role Ariel.

But, despite the opposition of the prejudiced part of the public, black actors continue to gain more and more fame in major productions. Some of the biggest cinematic productions of that year were led by black protagonists such as Nao, Nao Alder, woman king and so on Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.