‘Stranger Things’ Star Caleb McLaughlin Says He’s Endured Racist Behavior From Fans: ‘It’s Hard to Talk About’

thewrap.com:

#StrangerThings #TUDUM #CalebMcLaughlin @HComicConBE pic.twitter.com/JZoXS9aaBW“When the show first came out, it definitely took a toll on me as a younger kid,” the actor said.

My very first Comic-Con, some people didn’t stand in my line because I was Black.”“Stranger Things,” which just saw a resurgence in Netflix stats and the larger pop culture discussion with its Season 4 release in two parts this summer, tells the story of a group of four young boys who stumble upon a telekinetic girl named Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) and an alternate dimension located within their town of Hawkins, Indiana.“Some people told me, ‘Oh, I didn’t want to be in your line because you were mean to Eleven,’” McLaughlin continued.McLaughlin’s character Lucas has some doubts about the young girl, who can move things with her mind and — as revealed later in the series — can open and close gates into the dark realm, called “The Upside Down.” While Mike (Finn Wolfhard) immediately falls in love with her, Lucas wonders if she uses her powers for good or if she is connected to the evil that stems from The Upside Down.“Even now, some people don’t follow me or don’t support me because I’m Black,” he added. “Sometimes overseas you’ll feel the racism.

You’ll feel the bigotry. It’s hard to talk about and for people to understand.”“Stranger Things” has touched on racial discrimination in smaller moments throughout the show, like in the second season when the boys dress up as the Ghostbusters, and Mike just assumed that Lucas’ name tag will read Winston because as Lucas puts it, he’s the only Black one in the film.

Following the fourth season, Jezebel, Teen Vogue and RogerEbert.com pointed out the striking part of the narrative in which Lucas and Erica.