‘This Is Us‘ actor Lonnie Chavis, aged 12, wrote an essay titled ‘America Needs To Change’ for People magazine and detailed the racism and stress he experienced throughout his life.
Lonnie Chavis, who plays the younger version of Randall in series ‘This Is Us,’ asked “My life matters, but does it?” and continued:
“America paints a very clear picture of how I should view myself. America shows me that my Blackness is a threat, and I am treated as such. I actually didn’t learn about being Black and what that would mean for me until I was 7 years old.”
As the essay continued, Chavis recalled the times when he was in Hollywood:
“Being a young Black boy in Hollywood made it even more fearful. I can recall the time when I realised there are not a lot of people that look like me on these Hollywood sets and asked my mom where all the Black people were.”
The 12-year-old actor stated that he was being treated very poorly in certain events he was invited:
“I also remember being invited to events but then being treated very poorly by security or entrance checkers, like I wasn’t supposed to be there, until I had a publicist to announce me. I think of going to Hollywood events with other actors and actresses where I was constantly asked if I’m the boy from Black-ish or the boy from ‘Stranger Things.’”
Lonnie Chavis concluded his words through the following statement:
“Policies need to change, laws need to change, the police need to change, Hollywood needs to change, hearts need to change, America needs to change. Change has got to happen for unarmed Black citizens to not live in fear of being murdered.”
The actor also shared his essay through Instagram; below you can find the mentioned post.
View this post on Instagram‘America Needs To Change’ – LC @people #FixYourHeartAmerica
A post shared by Lonnie Chavis (@lonniechavis) on
