'Stranger Things' Star Caleb McLaughlin Claps Back at Fandom Racism

Stranger Things star Caleb McLaughlin has called out the racism he's faced from the Netflix show's fandom.

The actor, who portrays Lucas Sinclair in the fantasy drama, opened up about his experiences and how they affected him growing up while speaking at Heroes Comic Con in Belgium.

"It affected me when I was a kid," he explained to the audience. "At my very first Comic Con, some people didn't stand in my line because I was Black.

"Some people told me that, 'Oh I didn’t want to be in your line because you were mean to Eleven'. Even now, people don’t follow me or support me because I’m Black, you know."

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McLaughlin continued: "Sometimes overseas like you’ll feel the racism, you feel the bigotry... sometimes it’s hard to talk about that and for people to understand. But, when I was younger it definitely affected me a lot. You’re like – this is a deep conversation right now – but you’re like, ‘Why am I the least favorite? Why don’t I have followers?’ I’m on the same show as everybody from season one. But then my parents had to be like, 'You know, it’s a sad truth, but it’s because you’re the Black child in the show.'"

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"That’s crazy, because I was born with this beautiful chocolate skin, I’m not loved," he added. "But, that’s why with my platform I want to spread positivity and love because I don’t give hate back to people who gave hate to me."

Caleb's answer was met by applause from the audience, and the video has since gone viral on social media.

Stranger Things seasons 1-4 are now streaming worldwide on Netflix.

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