Gen Z Highlight: Zendaya Coleman
Gen Z Highlight: Zendaya Coleman
Zendaya Coleman, the 24-year-old commonly monikered as simply Zendaya, has been in the public eye for quite some time, with her beginnings in the Disney Channel show Shake It Up with her co-star Bella Thorne. However, what truly makes Zendaya so remarkable is how she utilizes it to advocate for social justice. And here, let’s dive into her impact not just on youth but on society as a whole.
Her Rise
18-year-old Zendaya appeared at the 2015 Oscars donning a white silk gown and her hair plaited in dreadlocks. On a segment of E!’s Fashion Police, Italian-American reporter Giuliana Rancic commented, “That hair is swallowing her. I feel like she smells like patchouli oil.” An off-screen, still unnamed voice had added, “Or weed.” Rather than painting herself as a victim of Rancic’s uninformed comment, Zendaya took it upon herself to educate the ignorant.
“There is a fine line between what is funny and disrespectful,” she sensibly began. “To say that an 18-year-old young woman with locs must smell of patchouli oil or ‘weed’ is not only a large stereotype but outrageously offensive … There is already harsh criticism of African American hair in society without the help of ignorant people who choose to judge others based on the curl of their hair. My wearing my hair in locs on an Oscar red carpet was to showcase them in a positive light, to remind people of color that our hair is good enough.” She wittily ended her social media post with “I suggest some people should listen to India Arie’s ‘I Am Not My Hair’ and contemplate a little before opening your mouth so quickly to judge.” Her response garnered widespread attention, and deservedly so. She identified exactly why Rancic’s comment was based on a stereotype, and ended on “an uplifting note,” as Vox wonderfully phrases. Qualities of a true justice advocate indeed.
Her Pledge
Zendaya is one who uses her platform to discuss and gather attention around issues in society. She addresses her responsibility to represent the African American community through television and works to further racial representation. When Disney had cast her as K.C. Cooper in their hit show K.C. Undercover, she bravely declared “There needs to be a black family on the Disney Channel. A lot of people who aren’t people of color can’t quite understand what it’s like to grow up and not see yourself in mainstream media.”
Her Power
Zendaya is one who not only understands and owns her power but also puts it to good use. “There is a warmth that radiates from her and also a sensitivity and a vulnerability that she tries her damnedest to hold back sometimes,” says Euphoria showrunner Sam Levinson. She is one whose own power inspires the same in others, to stand up and take charge of their own life. It is incredibly exciting to see what she has in store. :)
Image: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/zendaya
