Caleb McLaughlin recalls racism by 'Stranger Things' fans: 'Why am I the least favorite?'

Sounds accurate to me, sadly

r1 It seemed manufactured and forced to me or the problems of entitlement and the victim mentality passed through the generations setting this kid up for failure when he can exclaim that any time he fails, it's racism!

I'm sure he's received actual racism but what he shares in the article isn't... he was the token black kid. And frankly, the girl playing Erica Sinclair ranks higher than he does. . . so, what's the excuse there?

His character was weak to start, they fizzled out on the romance that would have boosted him then he became a jock that outgrew the collective while remaining a simp for his girl.. so, he's not likely to be liked and the his attitude stinks.

He needs a wake up call from the Prairie Bitch.

Sometimes it's Racism, Sometime's it's Just that you're an Insufferable Cunt: the Meghan Markle Story

3,336,179 views

[quote] [R1] It seemed manufactured and forced to me or the problems of entitlement and the victim mentality passed through the generations setting this kid up for failure when he can exclaim that any time he fails, it's racism!

You've mischaracterized what he said and specifically what he says his parents told him. He is speaking about how the public reacts to him. It is no failure on his part that fans are less interested in the Black character. He does not have a "victim mentality" because he can identify racism when he experiences it.

415,092 views

r6 They're not interested in his weak performance and milquetoast character.

[quote] [R6] They're not interested in his weak performance and milquetoast character.

How do YOU know what THEY are not interested in?

r9 same way you believe I've mischaracterized what he said and his parents intent.

In all likelihood, we assume each other is white and thus we have the moral authority on the subject as non-white. I could provide clip after clip after clip that shows his character is weak.. barely a step above extra. He's not only a racial token but just a token character in general. He could be replaced by anyone of any background or completely removed from the show without having a large impact on it.

They didn't know what to do with him.. the most exciting transition for him was being the potential boyfriend of the trailer trash ginger. They had a chance to pull out a decent story for him and have him explore actual racism on the show, especially with her dickhead brother... but missed opportunity because they've lost the polot with the show in general and don't have a clear idea of who their audience is. It's a problem with a lot of media like this... especially when operating on the retro.

Paper Girls seems to be pulling it off better but it too short in time and episodes.

Why wouldn’t it be because he’s black? Is there a new shortage of racists we’re not aware of?

r11 Why wouldn't it be because his character is dull, he's the first one to fully pull away from the group and has always been anataongistic towards its members, being a self hating nerd that wants to capitalize on when black became totallly tubular.

Honestly, his character was often weak and uninteresting.

r11 just a horned up geek desperate for popularity that was happy he found a group to be with and then jumped ship to another social clique as teenagers often do... becoming just another fuckboy (as the kids call it) - largely abandoning his friends for popularity - which would make him unlikable when the core group remains geeks. tho, Mike Wheeler faced a downgrade for being asshole and soft outing of Will, and also being a passive aggressive "nice guy" towards El.

If I was the only Asian on a TV show in a country where Asians make up 15% of the overall population and 55-60% were black and my black cast mates had more ‘followers’ or people lining up to see them, I don’t think I’d give a shit or see it as racism.

R10, did you write this: "victim mentality passed through the generations setting this kid up for failure when he can exclaim that any time he fails, it's racism!"?

The actor remarked that the other actors have fans and followers at Comic-Con, and he said he has fewer and he attributed it to racism. Acknowledgment of the existence or impacts of racism by a Black person does not constitute a "victim mentality." On the issue of racism only the perpetrator and the target have perspective. The rest of us must lean in to our default positions -- i.e. racism doesn't exist; racism is everywhere; I hate Black people who say everything is racist but I'm not a racist; etc.

Additionally, you've singled him out among a cast of completely average, boring actors. I don't doubt his character is dull and uninspired but his would not be the only one on that show. His is just the only Black one.

So what ? POC need to mind their own fucking business and stop trying to force White people to like or care about them. Fuck off. Live your live.

What a dreadful series of posts. Thank you, R6 You seem to get it. Not every negative thing that happens to me is due to racism, but it’s because of this fact (and decades of living), that I’m keenly aware when I actually do experience it. My parents didn’t teach me to be a victim; they imparted lessons and tools to survive in a world that devalues me. Similar to how I had to learn to feel good about being gay in a non-welcoming environment. Just today I was accosted at a bus stop by a psychotic person screaming “faggot” in my face. I went back to listening to my headphones. I’m not a victim.

Another Normani/fifth Harmony situation. Where the black member of the group thinks they are the least popular because of their skin color and not their complete lack of personality.

His character is annoying, and not in a good way. Would he be white, he would experience the same.

I’m not racist! You just can’t force me to care about or like non-white people, that’s all.

You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink. After all the screaming and entitlement, all shows now have “diversity”. But, that screaming doesn’t work for fans. You will be able to guilt trip a small segment of liberal whites; everyone else is just going to like what they like.

I've never watched the show, but it sounds like the writers of the show, haven't given him a storyline that puts him out there, so fans can get to know his character more. On the other hand, He can't force people to like him.

R23 He’s a terrible actor so I don’t blame the writers.

His character was the least likeable, especially in the first season where he was a genuine asshole to Eleven. He was also never really a central part of the story. I think that plays a big part. I liked the character much better in s5 but I’d still say he’s the character I care least about. Im really sad to hear he’s experienced racist abuse from degenerates. No one deserves that, least of all a kid.

R25 The “racist abuse” he cited is having the least social media followers and people not standing in line for his autograph because he was mean to Eleven… is that even abuse?

What a whiny queen. If he puts the same effort he’s making to complain into trying to get better at his craft ppl will line up to him like he’s Angelina in an African country.

[quote]My very first Comic-Con, some people didn’t stand in my line because I was Black

He can always work as a mind-reader if acting doesn't work out.

Where would he have got the idea that it was racism, I wonder.

R9

How does HE know it's "because of racism", as he keeps saying?

R23 It is an ensemble show. You can’t give every character a huge story arch; it just won’t fit. His character has had far more story line last season than a great deal of other characters. He had more screen time than Winona Rider for fuck sakes.

It isn't racism if the actress who plays his sister had a longer line at her table than he did which is most likely what really happened.

I bet a lot of black people don't watch Stranger Things because it's mostly a white people show.

Great parenting.

On Netflix's Outer Banks, the "token" black character of the leading cast gets a pretty big storyline in the second season. The OB showrunner was able to use the character for more than just being a glorified extra. IMO The Duffer Bros. failed Caleb in that regard, but I guess he fell through the cracks when the ST cast is so big and everybody needs something to do.

Who and what?

Haven't we moved on already to the next big thing?

Whatever it is.

Why not be thankful for the fame and money he earned so young. And go to Juilliard or Yale if he wanted to continue in show biz. Or any Ivy League and enter the professions. Being snubbed at Comic-com by some dumb racist kids seems like small potatoes.

[quote]'Why am I the least favorite?"

This kinda sorta reminds me of the online gay porn situation of the 2000-2010s. The big studios Sean Cody, Corbin Fisher, Straight College Men, Fratmen, Straight Amateur Guys, Dirk Yates, and Dink Flamingo all featured mostly white models and all were pretty successful. Occasionally, they had a black model but those were usually low-rated so weren't featured as much.

The owner of SCM, in particular, was called a racist because he responded to the criticisms by honestly admitting that his website was for like-minded people who enjoyed the same hot guys he does... who just happen to be white. In other words, you can't make your dick like what it doesn't.

In the early 2010s, Fratmen did an all-black spinoff Ebony U that did not last for long. However, their other spinoff Fratpad (mostly white) was a smash hit.

To reiterate what R22 posted:

[quote]You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink. After all the screaming and entitlement, all shows now have “diversity”. But, that screaming doesn’t work for fans. You will be able to guilt trip a small segment of liberal whites; everyone else is just going to like what they like.

This is a childish argument. It's not"racism" when people don't embrace characters who don't look like them. In fact, isn't this the explicit motivation behind Bridgerton?

[quote] Another Normani/fifth Harmony situation.

What, dear? I am unfamiliar with most of those words.

The actor is talking about his experiences AS A CHILD. He is still a very young person. I have compassion for his predicament. Rejection can be very painful. Most of you Marys have psychotic breaks when the young guys at the local club fail to notice you.

This pile-on is undeniably racist.

[quote] He can always work as a mind-reader if acting doesn't work out.

Racist behavior is palpable and manifested outwardly. It is in words, looks, body language and omissions. He wouldn't need to be a "mind-reader."

[quote] The owner of SCM, in particular, was called a racist because he responded to the criticisms by honestly admitting that his website was for like-minded people who enjoyed the same hot guys he does... who just happen to be white. In other words, you can't make your dick like what it doesn't.

The owner of Active Duty said the same -- and added that when he'd hired a Black model the guy stole from him -- most of his models were wife-beaters, convicted criminals or drug addicts but one Black guy steals from him so he can never, ever again hire a Black model.. This was all while AD was actively promoting white models with white supremacist tattoos. I never paid for another AD subscription after that revelation.

He’s the Julie, not the Barbara. He’s the Dwayne, not the Dee. He’s the Jan, not the Marcia. He’s the Michael, not the JJ.

Sorry, guy.

Every inconvenience must now be chalked up to oppression. Even as a 20-year-old multi-millionaire, he still feels compelled to portray himself as some kind of downtrodden victim.

R44 he's the Rhoda, not the Mary.

maybe they thought he was Irish

R26 oh ok, I admit I hadn’t read the article yet. In that case, it’s likely largely just the fact his is the least likeable and most disposable character.

Older guys like me still think of blacks as slaves who came here to work the farms. John Wayne said blacks are not ready for power. Just look at the mess in Africa. I will say that Putin is destroying the white brand.

[quote]Racist behavior is palpable and manifested outwardly. It is in words, looks, body language and omissions. He wouldn't need to be a "mind-reader."

What utter bullshit. But, hey, it covers all your victimization bases, doesn't it? Now, everything that ever happens to you can be because of racism. How convenient for you.

He's the least popular because his character is an asshole for most of the show. He's being redeemed somewhat now but going from group jerk to jock to decent friend is going to take a while. His little sister was never a piece of shit and, oh look, her character is popular. Hm, maybe everything isn't about his victimhood afterall.

I guarantee that some of the people defending his whining cries of racism never saw the show and don't understand just how unlikeable his character was.

Whaaaa my life is so hard.

ITs jUsT cuZ hE’s tHe WeAkeST cHaRaCteR

Wonder how many black kids were in Dungeons and Dragons groups in the middle of Indiana in the 1980s. He was shoehorned into the show from the beginning.

I am willing to make him feel as appreciated as I can..with my tongue.

r53 there were several but even they would admit probably no more than 10% -- what he does represent quite well is the African American upper middle class suburbanite that is largely cut off from from traditional black drama -- they could have even explored that angle where many grew up feeling impostor syndrome as they pursue and achieve excellence to a world that was starting to celebrate the ghetto... not that unlike the black is beautiful 60s/70s, and feeling an outsider in each community. . . most often due to conflicts within their own extended family.

but of Afrian American geeks... high fantasy and scifi was as taboo as it had been for many white kids. . . intresting enough, tho, it did attract a great deal of black (future) writers and stage actors as much as iconic figures of STEM, many of which that would also later come out as gay or lesbian. But he doesn't hold the markers of the patterns expressed between many of them either.

In fact, he seems more based off of South Park's Token in that he has very few surface flaws.. thus his sister was more interesting, because she has that black sass and is more of her own person, likely adopted from having a wider range of black friends but not into black drama yet you have this area where she's a secret nerd and geek - both in terms of blackness and being a girl. Which would have been more interesting to explore..

it seems like they wanted to use him as the "rational" character, the realist.. yet it just made him seem like an asshole and that locked him into the path of being the first one to transition out of the loser squad into popularity once he hit puberty and ended up looking the most normal - conventionally attractive, therefore, the most able to escape, transcend the social hierarchy. . .

His character is the least interesting and developed of the main kids, so he should really be blaming the writers.

I only watched the first season, and his character was an abrasive asshole. That’s the only reason I didn’t like him (or at least his character).

The headline had me expecting something else. He's not talking about people aiming slurs at him on social media (or in person), or even saying "They need to get rid of Lucas! The show would be better then." He just hasn't had as many autograph seekers and online followers as the other kids.

So I think he was on a popular show and he expected a lot of the fan love to come his way, and there was less of it than he was expecting.

Stranger Things isn't a favorite series of mine, but I have watched all the episodes once. I have trouble recalling Lucas doing much, getting scenes that made him stand out, especially in the early seasons. His most memorable scene in the first two seasons was the one in which the kids dressed up like the Ghostbusters and he was offended that the others expected him to be the Ernie Hudson character.

r41

He's got 15 million followers on IG. If I'm going to feel compassion for someone for not getting enough love and attention, he's not at the top of my list.

Why don’t black fans come out and support?

r60 They have... but he's more interested in the white ones.

Why don't people like R62 at least put the title of their stupid little youtube videos in their posts? I mean, how lazy can you be?

r62 You can see the title on the video... so, is it necessary to repeat it?

I feel his pain. Everyone hates me because Im femme. That has to be the reason for all the bad things that happened in my life. Not because I did stupid shit or made stupid choices. Nope,its because I was openly gay. See how that works ?

"This kid never experienced racism and I will prove this to you by saying racist things!"

r66 what racist things were said?

What exactly has he done outside of this show?

He's character was boring.

His little sister, also Black, stole every scene she was in.

^^^^his

[quote] Every inconvenience must now be chalked up to oppression. Even as a 20-year-old multi-millionaire, he still feels compelled to portray himself as some kind of downtrodden victim.

It was his personal observation and experience. YOUR impression of him is that he wants to portray himself as a 'downtrodden victim.' Your personal impressions of his experiences are irrelevant. No one is gonna pretend that racism does not exist just to protect your delicate constitution.

For the record, I think he probably sees himself as a 20 year old millionaire -- but my impressions of him are not relevant either.

So now it’s if you aren’t a fan of mine, you’re racist, and if you don’t want to sleep with a person who has a vagina and you’re gay, you’re transphobic. The logic of Gen Z. And you wonder why so many people fake hate crimes? They want to be catered to and see nothing but bonuses by playing the victim.

r68

[quote]I'm sure he's received actual racism but what he shares in the article isn't... he was the token black kid.

You just referred to him as the "token black kid" ... which you say is the reason why he's not as well liked as the other kids ... but that's not racism?

[quote]And frankly, the girl playing Erica Sinclair ranks higher than he does. . . so, what's the excuse there?

Sassy black girl/comic relief. She's the Tootie. She's the head shaking, tell you off but make it funny girl. She's "gay white men obsessed with Real Housewives of Atlanta to the point they can quote the damn show" girl.

[quote]remaining a simp for his girl.. so, he's not likely to be liked and the his attitude stinks.

Strange how Mike could spend the season ignoring his best friend's feelings on the show and fans still think he's cute or whatever.

And yes, his character was kind of just "there" the first season and maybe even the second but he's had quite a bit to do and gave one of the best performances of last season. I've always thought he and Sadie Sink would eventually be the breakout stars of the show (after Millie).

[quote] "This kid never experienced racism and I will prove this to you by saying racist things!"

HA HA!!!

R66, if he hadn't experienced racism before I hope he never finds Datalounge. This whole discussion is Klan Granny clickbait. No one has ever discussed this kid here, he's not even queer. But as soon as he says he is a victim of racism, the shrieking harpies of white supremacy come bearing down on this thread.

r75 Stranger Things has been discussed on the DL before. The claim is absurd and you know it. If I didn't post, someone else would have. I posted it two hours after being published. . . and since then, it has blown up on social media.

r74 in terms of the show, that's racist. . but it speaks more it's a generic slot - we need foil and let's make him black - aka they didn't develop his character likely afraid of racism in every direction and again, they don't seem to know who their audience is...

this kind of mentality has lent to shit writing for all minority characters - it's a trope that's been around for a while but gone into hyperdrive in the last decade - to which either they become mar(t)y s(t)us or they're otherwise so removed of character flaws and so generic, they're boring... they fail to attract either a solid black or white audience.

She's a precocious youth and yes, it ventures towards minstrel but it hits marks that are remain popular in black entertainment media and deemed more authentic than his character which was dull...

Now again, I'd have to state that I think you're most likely a cracker, a well intentioned cracker but a cracker all the same... not even a wheat thin, tortilla, paratha or rice cake. In all likelihood, you're gluten free wonder bread.

If they had elaborated more on his & max's relationship that could have broke him out more... but they faltered at the beginning and pick up later, the conflicts they had... were still generic. Also, how the fuck is it his sister can find all the black people in town but he has trouble finding one and when he's not chasing the ginger, let's not get into the meme/anagram there, he's always chasing white dick. The character doesn't seem to posess any self awareness.

And did I not mention the downgrade of Mike's character, especially with his passive aggressive "nice guy" routine to which many women of all backgrounds picked up on as being "toxic"

[quote] [R75] Stranger Things has been discussed on the DL before. The claim is absurd and you know it. If I didn't post, someone else would have. I posted it two hours after being published. . . and since then, it has blown up on social media.

Perhaps, OP, but you knew how this would go down at DL.

15 million followers on insta

13M Followers on tiktok

1.5 mil on twitter

627K followers on facebook

though his youtube channel only has 38.6k subscribers and his top music video only 373,413 views

which is obvious racism

r77 Sure.. the reaction it has all across social media. So, it's better as a member of the so called poc to avoid topics that might make crackers upset. noted, massa.

if you like his tiktok, you're a fetishist

if you don't, you a racist.

The way the first season was written. Will is the Lost Boy, completely separate. Mike finds and hides Eleven and tries to get Will back. The curly hair kid with no teeth is one of those irrepressible kids, he’s probably like that in real life so the writers just based his character on his own personality. (Like they had to do for Steve who was supposed to be a villain but everyone on the set liked him so much they rewrote his character and then shoved Billy into that role.) Lucas is the third friend who was needed to help Mike because he and Dustin couldn’t handle all the plot mechanisms by themselves but he’s kind of generic. Lucas’ sister is a sitcom cliche, the sassy younger sister. But then people used to find Amos ‘n’ Andy funny. It’s the writers’ fault. Look at Eddie this past season, new character, not a big role and yet they managed to give him an identity and he connected with the audience.

He should spend more time focused on maintaining those eyebrows. He has 15M followers, my god, what more do you want?

The egos are getting out of control from the brainwashing.

He’s not attractive, his face is very average, nothing unique. After this rant and the show ends, he’ll be doing small character roles, maybe. His ambition far outweighs his looks or talent.

Miss Thang really thinks she’s something with her smudged shades on the red carpet.

Watching this career go straight down the shitter will be a joy to behold.

It's because the audience wants only 3 black men their 80s nostalgia:

1. Eddie Murphy

2. Billy Dee Williams

3. Lamar from Revenge of the Nerds

(BLANK) Can’t (BLANK) and It’s an Issue

One of the five writing templates for woke writers.

Makes one long for the days when Degrassi's Wheelchair Jimmy spoke about how he started from the bottom, living in a rich neighborhood but unlike most of the homeowners, his mom was limited to renting a single floor.

[quote]YOUR impression of him is that he wants to portray himself as a 'downtrodden victim.'

Uh, no. It's right there in his own words.

R74's logic:

If you don't like his boring ass jerk of a character who is portrayed as the "realist" on the show, you're racist.

If you like his charismatic and spirited sister who is portrayed as the sarcastic worldly one on the show, you're also a racist.

Yeah, nothing wrong with SJWokester logic.

So, is it farfetched to assume he's trying to buy his way into black hollywood/media/entertainment?

Arrested Development (the rap/music group) gained international accolades but according to black entertainment they were music for white people.

years to follow, we'd see the same happen to many entertainers and athletes that was a nerd no one ever heard of.... where you had to become a druggie, get convicted of a crime, and still be an over the top fire and brimstone Southern Baptist (cuz you know because regular baptists were too progressive.) to garner black social currency; authenticity.

because much of the industry is still blaxploitation. . . once deemed racist itself but now the social norm.

we see the same kind of boxes setup for people across the board... and entry into the exclusive club - of producers, directors, writers is capitalizing more on these caricatures, played out to our respective non profits and media watchdogs, with the oppression olympics in mind... we could reflect equally on orgs like glaad and lgbt minstrel shows.

His character isn't that likeable. Man I can't even remember some of the kids on that show. The dark haired one and the John C. Reilly looking one.

Pretty sure there's another white kid on that show that was trapped in the upside down and I have no idea what he looks like.

R96 That’s La Puta Noah. He looks like gay Dorothy Hamill.

I see a Jussi Smollet move in his future.

R34 Parents like the Mclaughlins teach their kids that when they are disliked by whites, latinos or asians it is because of racism. So when some of those kids turn out to be entitled assholes they think people only dislike them because of their skin color.

Caleb is the POC guy on Grindr who taps you, messages you, sends pictures, sends “???????” twice, then gives you an irate lecture about how racist you are… he doesn’t realize you’re offline.

Sometimes people just don't like you and race isn't a factor at all. But, a lot of American white people have convinced themselves that racism starts and stops with the N word. How many times have you heard I'm not racist, I don't say the N word. Racism can manifest itself in many different ways. And let's be honest here folks, this is not the first time we've heard this story - black actors in sci fi/fantasy type shows being treated as second class compared to their white counterparts.

I am a black person who does not believe that every negative interaction between a black person and a white person is about race, but some are. This particular story has been repeated too often for their not to be something there. The sci fi/fantasy fandom is filled with fucking racists and, sadly, so is the classic film fandom.

R101 the black community needs to address their homophobia too.

R102 I completely agree. However, two things can be true at the same time without nullifying each other. Your point doesn’t negate R101 ‘s or have anything to do with it, really.

Blah,blah,blah. He's ugly. Thats all. No racism or big mystery. If he was sexy and hot,he wouldnt be bitching about followers. Stay in your lane,Caleb.

[quote]How many times have you heard I'm not racist, I don't say the N word.

I've never heard that even once. I've heard the "but I have a black friend" thing but only on tv. Do you really think white people aren't hypervigilant about all of this at this point? Do you understand that the vast majority of white people tiptoe around black people because they are afraid of being called racist for bullshit like "not standing in line for his autograph" or "not following this actor who plays a character they don't like"? And, then, we're also told that it's not the black community's job to educate white people on what's racist. So, basically, every interaction between a black and white person is fraught with landmines by design.

It's becoming a 'boy who cried wolf' situation. (I'm sure I'm a racist now for using the word boy in a conversation that involves a black kid.) This particular kid seems to be an entitled little shit who just can't figure out that people just don't like his horrible character. I don't think Will has that many fans either and he's the focus of much of the show but he doesn't seem to be whining about it and wondering why he wasn't as popular as Eleven or Dustin.

Ive got news for you R105 ,90% of white people dont in fact think about all that shit. You must live in a hipster enclave if everyone around you thinks like that.

You're just wrong, R106. But, if your post at R106 is all you have to add to the conversation, no one really cares what you think or say.

R99, how would an obnoxious asshole like you know anything about anything?

R108, you seem to have an anger problem. You also seem to have nothing relevant to say to anyone.

I don't know about you R106, but the most of the white people I know are just living their lives. They're not walking on eggshells about anything, because they're not racist. If you're racist, none of this crosses your mind. If you're not racist, you don't care that a black actress is playing a mermaid, you don't care about the number of interracial couples there are in TV commercials. The only people who focus on this stuff are people who have serious issues about race, or they've been brainwashed by conservative media and conservative social media to believe in problems that really don't effect them.

Now, don't get me wrong, do I think the young millenials and the Zoomers on Twitter and Tik Tok are fucking morons? Yeah I do, but people posting on social media is not the real world. Those idiots represent a very small piece of the pie. My Dad's best friend is a white guy he was in Vietnam with. They talk about everything and nothing is off the table and sometimes they'll talk about race. But no one gets angry or upset, they talk, roll their eyes and move on to the next discussion about golf or boating. That's what happens with real people, not the stuff that 3000 people on Twitter have conjured up.

^^^Sorry that should have been 105. My apologies.

[quote] [R34] Parents like the Mclaughlins teach their kids that when they are disliked by whites, latinos or asians it is because of racism. So when some of those kids turn out to be entitled assholes they think people only dislike them because of their skin color.

R109, whoever wrote this ^^^ has the anger issue, and no one at Datalounge has anything "relevant" to say to anyone. This is an anonymous forum, and obviously, we're all bored to death.

Most of the kids on ST are in for a rude transition to adulthood. They were cute kids and that went a long way, but most of them are not particularly good actors. The show hides it well with special effects, music, editing and bringing in more talented actors to play new characters because if the show was reduced to the core original kids, it would be pretty bad.

[quote]It's not "racism" when people don't embrace characters who don't look like them.

Not liking something on the basis of skin color is the exact definition of racism R39.

[quote]15 million followers on insta

He was talking about the first season, R78. It's written right there!

R114 ignoring your sophomoric definition of racism, you didn't even address what I actually said. I didn't say "not like" I said " not embrace," the distinction between which is extremely relevant.

Too bad the MF didn't use Billy to fuck all the hottest guys in town.

He and John Boyega should hang out and form a support group called Annoying Black Actors in SciFi Who Lack the Self Awareness to Understand That They are Disliked Because They are Annoying Assholes and Not Because They are Black.

He's punchable no matter what colour his skin is.

There have been so many popular black characters on TV throughout the years that it's absurd to attribute his lack of popularity to racism. Lucas is a boring character. Maybe McLaughlin will be more popular in the future if he finds a more compelling role.

Caleb McLaughlin IS Steve Urkel Jr.

My very wise Portuguese grandmother had the perfect answer for people like those types of non-fans. She'd simply say "consider the source". People like that don't deserve any more consideration than the one second it takes to realize who and what they are. And besides, we're not talking about the most mature, erudite and intelligent people on the planet when we talk about people who flock to these fan conventions looking to pay money just to get someone's autograph. For the most part they have the mentalities of children, no matter how old they are.

This is why everything has gone so far in the other direction. A black person says they've experienced racism and no one white wants to call it racism and some will even try to turn it back on the back on the black person and some how make it their fault. Then people started recording everything and you got to see that some of these experiences are racist, which has pushed things way to the other side. I don't know what to make of some of you and your inability to understand this other than you come from trash.

Or maybe because he's simply ugly?

It’s not racism, he’s just an ugly chimp jigaboo nigger

Typical gentile - he sees Jews like Finn Wolfhard and Noah Schnapp being more successful than him, and immediately concludes something sinister must be behind it.

If a meh white player on a team has fewer fans than black teammates is it racism? His character is kind of dull.

R121/R122, you are so full of shit. He literally described NOTHING racist. Not one single thing. You seem quite simple.

I think his acting has really come along, the last season showed a real actor in my opinion.

Still, his best moment is in sky court mall where he has the option to use his “wrist rocket” at the monster and instead wisely chooses to shoot in a random direction as to distract it away from his friends. Badass for a little kid, but sensible like an adult.

[quote]Why wouldn’t it be because he’s black? Is there a new shortage of racists we’re not aware of?

[quote]It’s not racism, he’s just an ugly chimp jigaboo nigger

Why would the same person post both of these things?

[quote] I'm sure he's received actual racism but what he shares in the article isn't... he was the token black kid.

You just expressed "actual racism"

All the characters are annoying so that's not the reason. Being black is a big part of it as whites, the main audience, tend not to identity with black actors as much.

[quote] If a meh white player on a team has fewer fans than black teammates is it racism? His character is kind of dull.

I wish I remember the actual circumstances, but a Florida team asked the fans to pick their favorite player. The top players were all black. The one the fans picked was a middling white player

I understand the hurt but what's the solution? Force kids to like him as much as the white cast? Force fans at conventions to line up equally for autographs? I feel like that will be the next step. Since everyone has to be equal having favorites of any kind is already discrimination.

There is no solution because, as evidenced in this thread and similar threads, there is no racism, black people whine, white people have it just as bad, maybe he's just a bad actor or meh actor, not everything is about race, black people imagine this stuff. Just suck up and be happy to be employed. That is why there will be no solution, until you can figure out how to change that type of thinking. Good luck.

[quote] I understand the hurt but what's the solution? Force kids to like him as much as the white cast? Force fans at conventions to line up equally for autographs? I feel like that will be the next step. Since everyone has to be equal having favorites of any kind is already discrimination.

People naturally gravitate towards the people like them. By pointing this out, it makes us think "Why am I not following this guy who is a member of the same cast?" Just because people do racist things does not always mean there are malicious intentions behind them. If we want to support a pluralistic society based on equality, we have to point out inequalities.

Yes this is subconscious racism, but, as noted, it's not mean in an evil way.

Trying desperately to pretend it's not racism IS based on evil.

R136, no one likes his character. That is not racism. People aren't huge fans of Will either and he was the focus of the show, second only to Eleven. You'd think other black people would be the one calling this idiot out because he's making a mockery of actual racism.

Was it right of his parents to tell him that the reason he didn’t have as many fans as the other kids was because of racism? It seems like they were making assumptions based on their own perspective and transferring it to him. Was it racism or was it an underdeveloped non-POV character? Probably a combination of the two. I like that the show expanded his character in season 4, so hopefully he’ll get a better fan response.

But, R138, they had him date a white girl. More racism, I'm sure.

The writers wanted to have a black face but were absolutely uninterested in him and had no clue what to do with him.

I notice this a lot on many shows. There are generally zero black male characters. There will always be a black woman - especially if she can be partnered with a white man - but no black male characters.

I’m black, and I get what he’s saying, but again the writers failed him, not the fan base.

I'm just shocked this kid is 20 years old now. I still think of him as little Ricky Bell in the New Edition story.

R140, they literally made the choice to make him the realistic one calling out the others on their bullshit fantasyland thinking. Of course they developed his character. He's the counter to Dustin. They are two sides of the same coin character-wise. Those characters on are equal footing throughout the show. They both evolve toward each other's side. Dustin become more realistic and Lucas moves toward embracing the weird.

Again, there was nothing racist. No one has pointed out a single racist thing in this entire thread. And, no, imagined feelings are not real, especially when they are solely based on projecting them on other people.

[quote]I’m black, and I get what he’s saying, but again the writers failed him, not the fan base.

Then you'd remember that Will had more fans than he did and he spent most of the time not even in the story.

I do like R136's definition

[quote]Yes this is subconscious racism, but, as noted, it's not mean in an evil way.

When do the Chinese take over so we don't have to think about this anymore?

I'm sorry but he has no distinguishable character traits and I can't remember anything interesting happening to him.

Fwiw I understand the appeal of the girls boyfriend. Looks like a meth head junkie. Not sure why he's on the show but he's the most overrated character.

Anyway this character from Malcolm in the Middle was more memorable. You want to root for him.

But it's true too that many sci-fi fans need to stop race gate keeping. Guess they're scared they might become the best at it or something, like everything else.

I mean I DON'T understand. ^ that guy who was every when for a minute? Charlie something?

R145/R146, is any of that in English? Have you ever heard of grammar?

Was it racism that caused a young Michael Jackson to be far more popular that his brothers?

Yes R148, because he was seen as the younger, less threatening one. White parents were okay with their little white daughters liking the non threatening little black kid who could dance well. Have you never ready a biography of the Jackson Family?

R149, no, Michael was the most popular because he was the most charismatic of all his brothers and the most talented. He had the "it" factor.

Today, we have "blah" character actors complaining because people aren't naturally drawn to them. So arrogant nowadays. No humility at all.

r145 It's a shame Angela Basset didn't stick with scifi films longer... she was great at it.

And I never understood why she wasn't the first choice to be Storm in 2000's X-Men. . . with all the inane changes they did. Ugh, Halle, which I had high hopes for was just awful. . . and never mind, the butcher job on Catwoman.

Rae Dawn Chong was another one that had the potential to become a scifi/fantasy queen. . . she shined in those kind of roles as much as Ms. Basset did but it wasn't an easy genre to make a living in. It really wasn't respected until post-2k.

Avery Brooks was gold as Captain Sisko... a departure from most Star Trek leads and even characters in general for having a strong character background, personality and active progressive growth.

Richard Biggs on Babylon 5.

(yes, I'm ditching reading rainbow / st:ng's LeVar Burton and SeaQuest's resident hottie Don Franklin because their characters, although they had their episodes.. didn't have much growth and were boring And a wide range of rubberhead aliens that escapes representation for this discussion.)

R149, is it racist that storm clouds are darker than sunny day clouds? I bet you can find a way to make even that racial.

[quote]Avery Brooks was gold as Captain Sisko... a departure from most Star Trek leads and even characters in general for having a strong character background, personality and active progressive growth.

You cannot be serious. He was the most boring, wooden actor ever on Trek. Are here any black actors you don't think are the greatest? Because this seriously makes me question your sanity.

[quote][R149], is it racist that storm clouds are darker than sunny day clouds? I bet you can find a way to make even that racial.

That's an act of God, sweetie. Clouds are not human beings. Keep the discussion on point, you racist piece of shit.

r153 For a Star Trek show, he was a massive departure from the rest... and to be honest, I didn't care for DS9 all that much. The society within Star Trek completely irks me especially with this hatred for modern eras, save detective holodeck stories from1920s-1940s. . . and I have a theory that humans have largely been geneticially modified, hyper medicated in a Stepford Wives kind of way... that resulted in this inane society rather than the reavers of Serenity/Firefly. Also, seriously, how did so many scottish accents survive the passages of time? Why do the French have English accents? What kind of alternate history is this shit? Is it all just one big fucked up Q conspiracy with all the timey-whimey bs?

R153 if Avery Brooks seemed boring you must have only watched the early episodes before they’d figured out how to write the character. Latterly he was an utter badass, with formidable presence and one of the more interesting character arcs of any Star Trek character. Now, get out!!

It’s always been crazy to me white gays can’t understand racism.

They certainly know how to identify homophobia but will call black people delusional / crazy for identifying racism.

That’s why I don’t care when trans and Republicans start dismantling gay rights.

He's just the least interesting character and ends up getting overshadowed by everyone including his own little sister.

IS1 they made him mildly antagonistic to Eleven who's obviously the hero and that set audiences against him from the start.

S2 while Will and Mike were doing plot stuff, Steve and Dustin were building one of the strongest relationships in the show, and Eleven was having her heroes journey he spent 90% of the season trying to get Max to date him.

S3 he just hung around Mike since Max had dumped him but he was completely ignored in favour of Mike/Elevens break up and Wills gay angst.

S4 he spent the first half in a pretty pointless basketball story (which came from nowhere since he's never even mentioned sports before) and again see's him pitted against his friends and then finally after nearly 4 entire season he actually becomes a good character. Granted its still Maxs story and he's just along for the ride but they had a few sweet moments.

But yeah the Duffers aren't great writers and seem to struggle with giving the vast cast ST now has something to do, and Lucas has suffered from this since the beginning.

A lot of the time these issues are a chicken or egg problem. Black characters and actors end up being the ones with the smallest fanbase because the writing for them is garbage. And the writing is often garbage for them because of, you guessed it, racism. Reminds me of John Boyega and the Star Wars sequel trilogy.

r157 ah, found the white frau.

r159 If we review virtually all black productions, however, you find all the problems are amplified. . . black audiences rarely stick around because they're just as tired of the sociopolitical shit, too. Everything being portrayed through the lens of racism. . . where whiteness is still the lead and black characters only serve as plot tools and props.

and the greater taboo of not liking hand-me-down white characters and stories that sjw types love and believe is "progressive"

but it's easy to point out the negatives, which are there are many.,..

One of the better, if not best, black series in the last decade, however, was Luke Cage...

It's because he didn't qualify for BBC status.

R156 Spen-sahhh.

Stranger Things is international/worldwide

Whites are a minority worldwide, Hispanics are the majority

Since whites are a minority worldwide, who's being "racist"? Is it Hispanics or Asians especially China, who didn't want the black actors face on posters for the new Star Wars trilogy

That's one good thing about diversity, eventually there won't be that one majority race and we'll all see that all races have and have been a little racist not just the "white man"

Has Billy Eichner weighed in?

And furthermore I would surmise to say that at least half of the fanbase of ST are non white

Go on social media and the show is MASSIVE, like Cobra Kai is, among Hispanics

So going by his "white people are racist" mantra, ok but what about the 50% non white audience, they're not supporting him either. So they're racist too? According to SJW'S non whites can't be racist!

It doesn't add up...

R159

It was the same with Cyborg in Justice League. And Cyborg is one of the most popular DC characters. They made a terrible decision to drastically cut down his character. And then the actors get attacked for being black and speaking the truth. Weirdo racists aim to silence them. They’re triggered by black people’s voices and presence.

Kid needs a life coaching session with Samuel L. Jackson.

R17 wish your ancestors minded their own business and stayed the fuck out of countries belonging to pocs, and hadn't made them feel like shit because they're not white.

I’m not gonna feel sad for a kid who was a multimillionaire when still in his teens.

Maybe he's the least favourite young actor because he's boring, plain, and whines all the time? He'd have the same issue with those qualities were he of any other ethnicity.

R170 We had to come, the local slavers were offering such good deals on their neighbors.

In other words, kindly STFU and go back to watching Wakanda and the Woman King a few hundred more times.