Last week, everyone was talking about actress Amandla Stenberg's latest clap backagainst cultural appropriation and one of its repeat offenders, Kylie Jenner. Then it was Laverne Cox's commentary on the incident that helped to extend the discourse beyond Instagram comments and fast-flying tweets. And we're going to keep talking about it.

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But first, a recap: Kylie Jenner posted a photo of herself to Instagram with her hair in cornrows. Among the hundreds of thousands of people to comment on the photo was Stenberg, who wrote, "when u appropriate black features and culture but fail to use ur position of power to help black Americans by directing attention towards ur wigs instead of police brutality or racism." The story went viral. Countless media outlets, including this one, commented on it. And on an episode of Bravo's Watch What Happens Live, host Andy Cohen crowned the feud between Stenberg and Jenner the "Jackhole of the Day." He asked his guest, Laverne Cox, to weigh in. Cox was widely criticized for what many felt was her weak defense of Stenberg. (Cohen was also criticized for opening up two teenagers to criticism and indirectly calling them "jackholes.") Cox later took to Tumblr to clarify her statements saying, "In that moment…I felt that the topic of cultural appropriation needs way more than the 10 seconds or less I had to respond at the end of the show." After familiarizing herself with Stenberg (especially with her now-viral video about cultural appropriation, "Don't Cash Crop on My Cornrows"), Cox went on to praise Stenberg, stating that she was "very impressed" with the actress who "has spoken out quite eloquently on this topic (of cultural appropriation)."

So what does all this prove? For one, that these two teenagers hold a tremendous amount of fascination. But more importantly, that Stenberg (hopefully) heralds a refreshing and welcome change in an industry that too often worships the superficial at the expense of glossing over complicated issues lurking just beneath the surface—like sexism, appropriation, and lack of diversity.

It's encouraging to see an actress take a stand and fight back. And I'm here for all of it. Stenberg's trillness on issues of cultural appropriation in the backdrop of the great change that this country is facing is necessary. And it's necessary because young women, particularly those of color, need to know that they matter, that it's possible to be beautiful and political. 

Growing up in the '90s and early '00s, it seemed to me that for many young Black actresses, the emphasis was on visibility and representation; there wasn't the space yet for someone like Lisa Bonet, Thandie Newton, or Cree Summer (three of my actress she-ros growing up) to discuss these cultural politics without being forced to pay a heavy price for speaking out. Had Stenberg been around then, this writer would've been an even bigger fan of hers than I am now.  

Stenberg is not just an amazing role model for young women of color (and the young women that are their allies) that are trying to navigate these important conversations, but she also seems to be a pretty dope human being. As young Hollywood finds its political footing in these changing times, let's hope that Stenberg's profound and nuanced commentary continues to serve as an example and inspiration.

Case in point? Five times that Stenberg came to slay.

WHEN SHE CAUSED A "RUE-HA-HA"

Stenberg found herself at the center of a controversy when thousands of Hunger Games fans took to the Internet to decry the casting choice of a Black actress for a Black character in the trilogy's first installment. (The book's author has repeatedly said that Rue is and was written as "African-American.") The comments were pretty disgusting. With a maturity far belying her then 13 years, Stenberg gave all her haters a Miss America-wave press release in which she said, "I want to thank all of my fans and the entire Hunger Games community for their support and loyalty."

WHEN SHE ISSUED THE CLAP BACK HEARD 'ROUND INSTAGRAM

Another day, yet another post of Kylie Jenner culture vulture-ing on Instagram. That is, until the Stenberg clap back. "When you appropriate black features and culture but fail to use your position of power to help black Americans by directing attention towards ur [sic] wigs instead of police brutality or racism #whitegirlsdoitbetter". Kylie's response: "Go hang w Jaden or something". (Kylie was rocking with Jaden for the longest, but we won't go there.)

Justin Bieber and Andy Cohen have come to Kylie's defense, the latter calling her (however indirectly) a "jackhole," but it's probably best they leave that hornet's nest alone. When one comes for Stenberg, one had better not miss. And one could say that Kylie, Justin, and Andy are all shooting blanks.

WHEN SHE WON PROM (AND WON OVER BLACK TWITTER)

Does this photo have Kylie in her feelings? Either way, for prom, Amandla came in with her signature tactic–slay, basically. Not to be outdone by Jaden Smith's colorblocked dress, Amandla came in her own equally bomb dress, grey braids, and a septum ring that kind of looked like a tiara. In the process, Amandla rewrote the prom playbook, helped break some gender conformity barriers, and sent the usually hard to impress Black Twitter crowd into a "we are not worthy" tizzy. Well damn.

WHEN SHE WENT GREY (AGE AIN'T NOTHIN' BUT A NUMBER)

Back to these grey braids though. Not everyone that actually has silver strands wears it well or even gracefully, so it's pretty impressive when a 17-year-old does–and maybe/might/probably starts a trend in the process. (Because who now wants some? Me.) But it's not just the braids. Between the bangs, the natural curls, the bold lipsticks, and clothing choices, Amandla's hairstyles and fashion are just as interesting and forward thinking as her social commentary. And it's pretty safe to say when she hits the age that her follicles actually produce grey, she'll still be laid for the gods.

WHEN SHE SCHOOLED THE INTERNET

What began as a video project for a history class instead became one of the most thorough articulations of cultural appropriation in recent pop culture. As the conversation intensifies, Amandla's video has become a touch point in the conversation, praised for its clarity, depth and nuance. After cleverly declaring, "don't cash crop my cornrows," the teenager very poignantly asks, "What would America be like if we loved Black people as much as we loved Black culture?"

From the editors of ELLE.com

From: ELLE US