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*When Thandie Newton accepted the role of Val in “Solo: A Star Wars Story,” she was certain her presence would mark the first time a dark skin black woman would be featured in the franchise.
But when #BlackTwitter recently caught wind of her comments on the matter, yet another colorism war of words erupted online.
In an interview with The Guardian, Newton said: “I am the first dark-skinned woman in a lead role in the Star Wars legacy, which is both great, that it is finally a correction, and awful, that it’s taken this long. Even Lupita Nyong’o’s character was CGI.”
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As you can imagine, her comments didn’t sit too well with Black folk.
Check out some of their responses on Twitter below:
Thandie Newton is not and will never be dark skinned so that’s that on that.
— Chanté ???? (@ChantayyJayy) May 19, 2018
Thandie Newton is dark skinned… to whom? pic.twitter.com/AHUSopjBos
— Erica, a Star-Lord apologist (@soulflora) May 20, 2018
Did thandie newton just say she was dark skin? *cleans glasses*
— Menkaura (@MenkauraB) May 19, 2018
I love me some Thandie, but y’all know how I feel about colorism AND the misuse of terms and definitions that point out specific kinds of oppression.
This ain’t it, sis. pic.twitter.com/H1Ntzk6qQO
— Clarkisha Kent: Space Deebo Must Die (@IWriteAllDay_) May 19, 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
But Ms. Thandie had some support… and the actress fired off a response to the critics.
Lord y’all went in on Thandie Newton about her dark skin comment? ☹️ she was speaking relatively to white people her skin is dark. Gotdamn it Americans.
— Ebony Ma (@solglo) May 20, 2018
Thandie is a great actress who also champions causes I don’t think she intended “dark skin” the way you’re taking it
— Boundless Prosperity (@satsangdervish) May 19, 2018
Newton took to Twitter to post that she was “literally crying from the harsh criticism” over her truth, and she responded by reminding all haters that she has spent her adult life “fighting oppression” against women of color.
Check out her response below:
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
