Summary
A viral clip seems to showThe Acolytestar Amandla Stenberg saying the show’s goal is to make white people cry - but it’s nothing to do withStar Warsat all. Lucasfilm’s latest Disney+ TV show,The Acolyte, is proving to be massively controversial.The Acolyteis being review-bombedon Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic, with parts of the fanbase objecting to showrunner Leslye Headland and insisting the show is “woke.”
An interview clip of Amandla Stenberg is currently going viral, ostensibly showing Amandla Stenberg declaring that the show’s goal is to make white people cry. This appears to have originally been shared by some right-wing sites, who claim it is a recent interview, and is now being discussed at length on social media. In reality,Amandla Stenberg’s comment is nothing to do withThe Acolyteat all.
The Amandla Stenberg Clip Is Actually From 2018
The clip, in which Amandla Stenberg is interviewed by Trevor Noah, is taken from a 2018 interview onThe Daily Show. Far from discussingThe Acolyte, Stenberg is in fact talking about her 2018 movieThe Hate U Give. Based on a young-adult novel, George Tillman Jr.’s movie stars Amandla Stenberg, Regina Hall, Russell Hornsby, Lamar Johnson, KJ Apa, Sabrina Carpenter, Common, and Anthony Mackie.
The Hate U Giveexplores the themes of racism and police brutality, and it’s generally seen as an attempt to - asABCput it - “bring the Black Lives Matter movement into the multiplex.” Given the context, that certainly explains Stenberg’s comment in the 2018 clip. It’s worth noting thatThe Daily Showis well-known for a humorous, punchy approach to popular culture and politics, and Stenberg’s remark is in keeping with that tone and style.
Star Wars: The Acolyte Episode Guide - Cast Members, Biggest Takeaways & Easter Eggs
Here’s everything you need to follow along with Star Wars: The Acolyte, from references and trivia to main takeaways from each new episode.
Why Is Stenberg’s Quote Being Ripped Out Of Context?
There’s been a sustained backlash against modernStar Wars, even leading to aSouth Parkparody on Lucasfilm’s Kathleen Kennedy. According to this interpretation, Kennedy forces diversity into everything, damaging the overall franchise as a result.The Acolytehas female leads, the first Asian Jedi, and a lesbian showrunner, which explains why it has been subject to such strong attacks. In the build-up toThe Acolyte’s release, both Kennedy and Headland issued public comments opposing racism and sexism in the fandom.
This isn’t to imply all criticism ofThe Acolyteis in bad faith; even some critics have noted issues with pacing and some characterization. But these genuine criticisms are at risk of being drowned out by quotes wrested out of context, and this is clearly intentional. Hopefully, asThe Acolytecontinues, the conversation will become more nuanced and less vitriolic.
The Acolyte
Cast
The Acolyte is a television series set in the Star Wars universe at the end of the High Republic Era, where both the Jedi and the Galactic Empire were at the height of their influence. This sci-fi thriller sees a former Padawan reunite with her former Jedi Master as they investigate several crimes - all leading to darkness erupting from beneath the surface and preparing to bring about the end of the High Republic.
