ARE BLACK CELEBRITY CHILDREN CRITICIZED MORE IN HOLLYWOOD?
With the recent Twitter frenzy regarding satirical entertainment website The Onion‘s inappropriate tweet about 9-year old Quvenzhane Wallis, the question of African American celebrity children and filters has been sparked. The “Quvenzhane tweet,” that was deleted within an hour of being posted, is one of several instances regarding negative backlash that young black children and teens that are thrust into the spotlight face from the public. Although The Onion issued a public apology, many patrons of the site found the comment completely offensive. It would appear that anyone, no matter the age, race or sex is fair game for a joke.
Here are some examples of African American celebrity kids in Hollywood under the scrutiny of the public eye:
Willow Smith has received many negative and demeaning comments throughout her entire life. The feedback has spanned from damaging comments regarding her hair, her clothing, her overall personal appearance and even her talent. Dad Will Smith recently reported that his daughter backed out of the film “Annie” to focus on just being a 12-year old.
Although Gabrielle Douglas won two Olympic gold medals in the 2012 London games, her outstanding achievement was quickly overshadowed by criticism and scrutiny regarding her hair during the games. Since then she has received countless comments about her hair at every event that she attends.
Hunger Games actress Amandla Stenberg, 14, gave an acclaimed performance as Rue in the box office hit film but many fans of the novel were upset that the young African American actress was cast in the role because she was black. Although Amandla’s character and her District 11 counterpart (Thresh) are described as having “dark brown skin” in the book, some readers and movie goers were shocked to see African Americans playing the parts. Some fans said it ruined the movie and others refused to see the movie because of the black characters.
What do you think? Are African American children/teens under the microscope more because of the color of their skin? Are WE harder on them because they’re black?
10 Comments to “ARE BLACK CELEBRITY CHILDREN CRITICIZED MORE IN HOLLYWOOD?”
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I agree that the criticism of these child actors/actresses is getting out of hand.Nobody should be putting children down and hurling insults at them regardless of their race. And yes,when it comes to young actors/actresses and athletes,some people do mistake their confidence or drive and competitiveness for arrogance,being conceited, and having a bad attitude.But there is a distinct difference.I don’t think that Quvenzhane and Willow are overconfident or acting grown.Some children are more emotionally mature for their age than others.Maybe that’s the case with these two.Also,Willow has a strong personality that she inherited from both of her parents.And I’m glad these two young girls have confidence in themselves and their abilities,and they’re comfortable in their own skin.I wish I had that much confidence and self-assuredness when I was their age.Companies including Dove and Girls Inc. have made it their mission to create programs that boost girls confidence and self-esteem,and teach them that they have just as much importance and value as boys.So instead of being unnerved and critical about their confidence,we should admire and celebrate it.
I can see that my comment wasn’t liked by many…. maybe that;s the real issue. It’s not the first time people have commented on this little girl’s attitude, and it definitely wont be the last.
This is not me being a black girl hating on my own race, this is me as an adult, finding a 9 year old with far too much to say for herself to be supremely irritating. She’s 9, she should be less precocious and not be quite so adult in the way she acts and talks.
Yes. Being black in hollywood now is the same as it was back then. No matter how far we have come, there is an ignorant person who will try to bring us back 1000 yrs. SMH
Hollywood don’t want to see nobody that don’t have blonde hair or blue eyes do good. I hope and pray they wake up and see that the game is changing now. We as black people are finally starting to step up and be seen and heard. We are finally starting to take our places in every part of the world and whyte don’t like it.
The issue with Quvenzhane Wallis is that, in my opinion, she is in fact very annoying. Whilst the onion was way out of line with it said, there is something really jarring about an 8/9 year old with the kind of confidence she has. It seems to stem in part from probably being surrounded by much older people all day (looks like any siblings she has are significantly older), together with a healthy dose of natural self confidence. If she were 18/19/20 her attitude is somehow more acceptable, but on young children it comes across as being confident to the point of arrogance, but right now its too much and seems to be age inappropriate. It’s the same reason why Willow Smith has had such a tough time I think. She’s naturally vivacious which can come across as too self confident, coupled with clearly having spent so much time with her parents and picking up on the way they speak – to sound so adult becomes jarring. The best way i can say it is that these girls seem to think “they are grown” before they are, and they need to stay as kids for longer.
I saw someone on another thread ask if people would have treated dakota fanning the same way – the difference is that dakota fanning was never quite so self confident (or arrogant) and it didn’t jar in the same way. Now Dakota’s sister on the other hand is a bit more borderline….
I’m the one that mentioned Dakota Fleming in another post & yes was quite flippant when she walking the red carpet at that age. When a white child does it, it’s self-confidence & cute, but when a black child does it, it’s too grown & sassy. Leave this precious, innocent child alone.
Hollywood better wake up and realize this isn’t “Their” Hollywood anymore….their’s a whole lot of talented adults / children of color that’s moving right on in , and the list is growing stronger everyday. Whether our children’s talent is Dancing , Sports , Acting , Academics , or Singing..their about explode Hollywood full force. And I can’t wait to see the looks on their faces. To all the above children that were bashed…Stay focused and keep positive , and all great blessing will continue to come.
Why is my comment ‘awaiting moderation?’
Absolutely! People feel as though black kids shouldn’t be in staring roles, or have their own sitcom. It’s sad and sickening! How u can sit behind a screen and say such disgraceful things about a child that’s doing positive things is a sign that u hate urself! I hope that majority of the kids that receive this criticism have strong parents that tell them to embrace the hate! Let it roll right off ur shoulders down ur back and to the floor!
Sadly, it’s true. If Quevenzhane was white, The Onion would never have sent the vulgar tweet (the person responsible should be fired!). African American children in the entertainment business (or in sports), IMO, have it harder than white children because they have to face racism from others and crass comments from their own people. If we say cruel and demeaning things about our own children, we give racists a license to do the same. Just saying.