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Stranger Things star Caleb McLaughlin calls out fandom racism

Photo credit: Netflix
Photo credit: Netflix

Stranger Things star Caleb McLaughlin has called out the racism he's faced from the Netflix show's fandom.

The actor, who portrays Lucas Sinclair in the fantasy drama, opened up about his experiences and how they affected him growing up while speaking at Heroes Comic Con in Belgium on Sunday (September 25).

"It affected me when I was a kid," he explained to the audience. "At my very first Comic Con, some people didn't stand in my line because I was Black.

"Some people told me that, 'Oh I didn’t want to be in your line because you were mean to Eleven'. Even now, people don’t follow me or support me because I’m Black, you know."

Photo credit: Netflix
Photo credit: Netflix

Related: Stranger Things writers reveal amount of episodes for final season

McLaughlin continued: "Sometimes overseas like you’ll feel the racism, you feel the bigotry... Sometimes it’s hard to talk about that and for people to understand. But, when I was younger it definitely affected me a lot.

"You’re like – this is a deep conversation right now – but you’re like, ‘Why am I the least favourite? Why don’t I have followers?’ I’m on the same show as everybody from season one.

"But then my parents had to be like, 'You know, it’s a sad truth, but it’s because you’re the Black child in the show'."

Related: Stranger Things creators on possibility of new characters joining season 5

"That’s crazy, because I was born with this beautiful chocolate skin, I’m not loved," he added. "But, that’s why with my platform I want to spread positivity and love because I don’t give hate back to people who gave hate to me."

Caleb's answer was met by applause from the audience, and the video has since gone viral on social media.

Stranger Things seasons 1-4 are now streaming worldwide on Netflix.


For more information on how you can support Black Lives Matter, please visit its official website or donate here. Readers can also donate to the UK anti-discrimination group Stand Up To Racism, and the Unite Families & Friends Campaign, which supports those affected by deaths in police, prison and psychiatric custody.

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