Amandla Stenberg, star of the upcoming Star Wars prequel show The Acolyte, has created and released a song in response to a backlash of racist comments that she has received since its release. The show stars Stenberg in the twin lead roles of Osha and Mae, characters that are raised by witches and separated by tragedy with Osha training as a Jedi before lapsing while Mae turns to the dark side. The Acolyte has been well-received by critics, including NME who have praised the show, however, some viewers of the show have directed intolerable racism towards Stenberg.
Stenberg has addressed part of this backlash, which relates to a 2018 clip where the actress says that “white people crying actually was the goal” of the film The Hate U Give. This clip has been presented out of context as if she was referring to The Acolyte. Stenberg took it upon herself to write a song as a response to the controversy and her lyrics speak to the current atmosphere of misinformation and “hate propaganda”.
In a four-star review, NME wrote that the show is “new, without feeling unconnected. Pristine, but not too shiny. Fun, but still substantial”, and the show reflects the importance of balance in Star Wars. The Acolyte takes place 100 years before Episode I – The Phantom Menace, with the first four episodes being streamed now on Disney+. With four more episodes still to come, many viewers of the show were left reeling by the shock of a major-name actor being killed off within the first five minutes.
Stenberg’s powerful response showcases the importance of addressing the misinformation and hate that has manifested from the current social and political climate. By speaking out, she provides a voice for others who may also be facing directed racism, and she brings attention to how divisive rhetoric can cause harm. Her efforts demonstrate that with the right channels, the important issues of society can be addressed and maybe, just maybe, progress can be made
Read the full article on NME here: Read More