Amandla Stenberg, and Her Impact on Young Black Girls

Who is Amandla Stenberg?

Amandla Stenberg, 17-year old California native, has influenced this young, black, female generation in ways we haven’t even thought about.

Ms. Stenberg has been seen in Disney catalogs, commercials for Boeing, and in films such as Colombiana, Rio 2, and the world renowned Hunger Games. Though the camera loves Amandla, the studio has also became fond of her too, She began performing violin and singing melodic tunes with singer/songwriter Zander Hawley, in a group known as Honeywater, who released their first EP in August of 2015. Amandla has also helped raise funds for a memorial honoring the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, alongside huge figures such as Jesse Jackson, Tommy Hilfiger, Dan Rather, Stevie Wonder and Nicki Giovanni. Needless to say, Amandla has some notches under her belt.

Amandla first caught my eye when she released “Don’t Cash Crop My Corn-Rows”, on Tumblr in 2014. In this video, Amandla addressed what cultural appropriation was, gave examples of celebrities that were committing this act, and how it makes black people feel. Her excerpt on the topic hit home for my girlfriends and I because as young, black females who love hip-hop, and partake in our culture proudly, it’s frustrating to see white celebrities get praised, while we get condemned for what belongs to us. Amandla basically put to words what everyone else was thinking.

When she covered on Teen Vogue, her and several other black women gave their input on things black girls are tired of hearing, and they hit it right on the head! Also on Teen Vogue, she came about her sexuality, which is supported on this end one hundred percent.

Don’t get me wrong, Amandla did not start the black feminist movement, but she’s planting her feet in it, with her head held high. She helps give a voice to young, black girls that are too afraid to call out injustices. Black females observe how she dresses, how she talks, walks, how she styles her gorgeous, natural hair, and how she handles herself. Their thoughts are, “If Amandla can do it, then why can’t I?”. Ms.Stenburg, we applaud and adore you and all the wisdom you’ve spread will not go unnoticed. We stand beside you and say, “Black is Beautiful and Powerful.” *Inserts black fist emoji*