7 Influencers Shaping The Conversation About Race

Being a celebrity in 2018 is no longer just about acting, singing, modelling or whatever your talent may be. With social media and more traditional interviews providing stars with huge platforms to discuss issues that are important to them, many young influencers are using their power for good, and bringing conversations around race to the forefront of our minds.

From actress and activist Amandla Stenberg, to everyone’s favourite model mom, Chrissy Teigen, here are seven influencers shaping the conversation about race.

1. Amandla Stenberg

Speaking out on cultural appropriation in a YouTube video titled ‘Don’t Cash Crop My Cornrows’, Amandla defined appropriation for anyone who isn’t quite sure where it begins and ends.

“Appropriation occurs when a style leads to racist generalisations or stereotypes where it originated, but is deemed as high fashion, cool, or funny when the privileged take it for themselves,” she said. “Appropriation occurs when the appropriator is not aware of the deep significance of the culture that they are partaking in.”

2. Yara Shahidi

The Black-ish star has spoken about how her character, Zoey, helps to break down all kinds of stigmas. "She is my activism through art," Yara said while accepting the Daily Point Of Light Award. "She is an angsty, rebellious teen, entrepreneurial at heart, academically astute, and the thread that ties her family together.

"It is through my character and characters like her that the barriers that racism, ageism, sexism, and other -isms can be broken down."

3. Luka Sabbat

Speaking to Miss Vogue, the Grown-ish star said, “My parents exposed me to many different things when I was growing up and keeping an open mind and not judging people based on race, colour or sex was a part of my upbringing. I think the industry is starting to wake up and it is something important I look at when jobs come up. It's important that we can see ourselves represented.”

4. Lana Condor

To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before star Lana recently told Netflix what it means to be an Asian American woman leading a romcom. “It was such an empowering moment for myself. The opportunities are out there and I’m hoping that this film inspires Asian American young girls to know they can absolutely star in their own romcom.”

5. Chrissy Teigen

As a mum to two beautiful multiracial babies, Luna and Miles, Chrissy makes sure that her kids feel represented by giving Luna dolls that look like her.  “Having something that represents them or looks a little like them, it changes everything,” Chrissy told StyleCaster.

“I never thought that way before. I always thought, ‘Why can’t she just play with a regular blonde Barbie?’ There is something to be said about having something that has your skin colour, your hair colour, your eye colour, your eye shape.”

6. Zendaya

The Greatest Showman star has a strong stance on cultural appropriation, telling Hunger magazine, “Cultural appropriation is something that I can understand, and something that I can appreciate people being concerned about. You witness it all the time, and for me at least, being someone who's very proud of where I'm from, I think it's important to be vocal.”

7. Jaden Smith

Actor and musician Jaden tweeted back in April, “As I get older invisible racism becomes more visible”, to his eight million followers.