Young actress ponders contradiction of celebrating black features on white women

Sixteen-year old Amandla Stenberg has voiced her opinion on what she deems the portrayal of black women as "objects of brutality and fetishism" while white women are celebrated as "paragons of virtue and desire."

Stenberg, who bears a Zulu name which was inspired by the apartheid struggle, has slammed the beauty standards which she believes are dictated by a eurocentric ideal.

The Hunger Games and Colombiana actress was prompted by an image of Kylie Jenner showing off cornrows on social media to share her perspective of what she has called racial appropriations. Stenberg accused Jenner of using black hairstyles to her own advantage and when it suited her yet not voicing outrage on the police killings of black men and the manhandling of black females recently.

End the "angry black girl" narrative. It's just another attempt to undermine certain perspectives. I have strong opinions. I am not angry.

— Amandla Stenberg (@amandlastenberg) July 13, 2015

Stenberg expanded on her thoughts when she penned a short essay.

"While white women are praised for altering their bodies, plumping their lips and tanning their skin, black women are shamed although the same features exist on them naturally. This double is one string in the netting that entraps black women when they claim sexual agency," said Stenberg.

The notion that black female bodies are shameful and a symbol of pain and degradation lead to racial fetishism, she added.

The teenager said the media refrained from reporting about the assault of black females choosing instead to ignore and disparage them.

"As culture shifts and racial tensions are tested through the vehicle of the #BlackLivesMatter movement it is important to question: do black females lives matter too?" concluded Stenberg.

Response to Stenberg's essay was mixed, although many applauded her efforts for standing up for her beliefs.

You are an intelligent, discerning, strong black, young woman @amandlastenberg. You make us proud.

— Tasia Casandra Brown (@TasiaBrown) July 13, 2015

@amandlastenberg This is SUCH A JOKE! Beyond none of this being true, you 'appropriate' way more white culture everyday than vice versa.

— Morpheus (@farfenugen) July 13, 2015

@farfenugen@amandlastenberg none of those things are race exclusive and are a result of shared history between one group.

— jada (@aspiralant) July 13, 2015

@amandlastenberg when black women straighten their hair, are they appropriating white culture?

— zipper-man (@peacewithmeself) July 13, 2015

@StylezzIzzy@amandlastenberg Black women are continually othered & marginalized seen as alternative in mainstream society. This is for US

— Rebecca Akrasi-S. (@Intuitivewordz) July 14, 2015

@amandlastenberg you are amazing and more articulate then most "grown" folks. I'm happy you are part of our future. Keep on!

— Twizz (@anTHEknee) July 15, 2015