The conversation surrounding colorism within the Black community has become more prevalent than ever, with Black Brit Thandie Newton recently being called out for referring to herself as “dark-skinned.”
While discussing her role in new film Solo: A Star Wars Story with The Guardian, the Westworld actress called herself, “the first dark-skinned woman in a lead role in the Star Wars legacy.”
“Even Lupita Nyong’o’s character was CGI” – referring to the character Maz Kanata in The Force Awakens.
Newton likely meant “dark-skinned” compared to the overwhelmingly-White world of Star Wars, but the term itself was still enough to cause fans to call out the star.
Check out a few responses below.
thandie “paper bag” newton rly tryna claim shes dark skinned? does she not own a mirror or….
— transfaggot.com (@soft_b0y) May 19, 2018
Thandie Newton is dark skinned… to whom? pic.twitter.com/AHUSopjBos
— Erica, a Star-Lord apologist (@soulflora) May 20, 2018
Saying ‘Black’ would have been enough. And part of my skeptical ass is hoping her conflation of dark-skinned and etc was an accident. Because Thandie is v FAR from lightskinned. pic.twitter.com/NUzHacuPWL
— Clarkisha Kent: Space Deebo Must Die (@IWriteAllDay_) May 19, 2018
If Thandie Newton is dark skin, I’m… pic.twitter.com/EC7XZ4VbdR
— nf (@Lstblkgrl) May 19, 2018
Dark skin in 2018 is hilarious. Thandie Newton & Trey Songz are considered dark skin now so idk wtf I am, I guess dark light? 😭
— IG: inexplicably.sweet 🌹 (@ShayGizzleXO) May 19, 2018
Newton addressed the backlash, saying she should’ve kept her mouth shut on the matter and let her presence within the film speak for itself. See her response below.
Eugh I need to stop with the yap yap yappin’ and just BE the change in the world I wish to see 😔 @StarWarsMovies #Colorism pic.twitter.com/DeFya1Yo9z
— Thandie Newton (@thandienewton) May 20, 2018
Thank you. I’m literally crying from the harsh criticism, when I’ve spent my adult life fighting oppression against women of colour, in Africa and everywhere @VDay @AAPolicyForum It’s a day to be with my children and remember what love is x https://t.co/GyUwXyO9IT
— Thandie Newton (@thandienewton) May 20, 2018
One fan came to Newton’s defense, saying the term “dark-skinned” takes on a different meaning in the U.K., her native land, than it does in the U.S.
In US we have a diff color complex than other countries. I have a Brazilian friend who is very light by our standards but there she is dark. If you are any amnt of Blk in other countries you’re considered a dark person. We shld consider others’ perspectives apart from our own.
— Ellie’s Mommy (@poetess531) May 19, 2018