Lonnie Chavis is just 12 years old and is already playing in one of the most watched series, This Is Us . You would think that his daily life was easy, but, as he explains in a column published by People, he has been facing discrimination because of his skin color for a long time.
View this post on Instagram
'America Needs To Change' - LC @people #FixYourHeartAmerica
A post shared by Lonnie Chavis (@lonniechavis) on Jun 17, 2020 at 9:16 am PDT
The actor notably detailed how he was accused of wanting to steal tips from a waitress. “I was the victim of racial profiling in a San Diego restaurant while visiting one of my young black colleagues. (…) (The waitress) was about to call the police while we were with our parents - until a wonderful, white fan told them that I was a professional actor in two TV series and that I certainly didn't need to steal a few dollars. (…) Can you imagine being mistaken for a thief because of your skin color? I do, ”he revealed.
Lonnie Chavis will never forget his 10th birthday either, when he came back from his party "late at night" with the family.
"A Long Beach policeman gave my father an arm wrench and pulled him out as he stood at the doorstep, claiming he was arrested for a traffic violation. My mother (…) told me with fear in my eyes to go to my little brother's room and stay away from the windows. She put my brother, who was a baby, in my arms and told me that, whatever I hear, I should not go out. I carried my brother and I cried because I heard my mother screaming outside. I thought my parents were going to die in front of the police, ”he remembered.
No better at work
Hollywood was not a protective cocoon either. Lonnie Chavis said she was treated by security personnel at events where he was invited "as if I was not supposed to be there, until I have a press officer to announce myself." Or even that we regularly ask him if he is "the boy of Black-ish or that of Stranger Things ". "Can you imagine being confused with any other black child just because you do the same job?" Me, yes, ”he adds.
The 12-year-old actor was also arrested by police with his mother when she dropped him off at Paramount Studio in his BMW.
View this post on Instagram
Loving each other is enough to get through anything. ❤️ 📸: @najahchavis
A post shared by Lonnie Chavis (@lonniechavis) on Feb 1, 2019 at 5:04 pm PST
"The white policeman approached my mother's window and asked," Whose car is this? " He did not ask for a driver's license or insurance, nor did he even tell us why he asked us to get on the side. (…) My mother (…) had to go to the trunk to look for more papers and I watched the policeman hold his hand on his gun as if my mother were a threat. I was afraid for her. I was afraid for myself, ”he explains, adding that he has been arrested like this with his mother several times. "Can you imagine that it's normal to start filming with your phone as soon as your mother is stopped in the car? I do, ”added Lonnie Chavis.
And to conclude: "If you don't understand what's going on in the world, understand this: this is what the world looks like to me, a 12-year-old black boy. It's my America and it has to change. "
Culture
Coronavirus in the United States: Filming for series and films to resume in California, but not yet in Los Angeles
- People
- Television
- Racism
- Filming
- Series