#BLOGTOBER DAY 11: Amandla Stenberg: YA's new and improved Shailene Woodley

ICYMI, there's a new actress taking over the world of YA movie adaptations, and her name is Amandla Stenberg. 

Amandla has been announced as both lead actress in the adaptation of Nicola Yoon's 'Everything Everything' and the hotly anticipated film of Alexandra Bracken's 'The Darkest Minds' (whether that will be a standalone film or a franchise will likely be revealed after profits/losses from the first installment are known). 

Amandla is mirroring the rise of Shailene Woodley (famously known for starring as Hazel Grace in the adaptation of John Green's 'The Fault in Our Stars' and Tris Prior in the ill-fated adaptations of Veronica Roth's Divergent trilogy) by getting the lead in a successful contemporary and signing up for a potential series.

But whereas everyone refers to Shailene as a "problematic fave" (mostly because of that quote about feminism, but also because she was arrested - in the name of a really good cause - yesterday) Amandla is quickly becoming the spokeswoman of her generation - at just 17 years old, that's no easy task. Both a feminist and black activist, Amandla isn't afraid to call out unfairness and prejudice when she sees it, which makes her utterly inspiring. 

Here are 5 quotes that show Amandla Stenberg rocks, and is mature beyond her years.

1. "Black female voices need to be uplifted within the mainstream feminist movement, especially at this time. It's crucial."
2. "Guys aren't allowed to express femininity; they have to always appear masculine and that's bullshit. I love it when guys can be feminine and express their emotions and creativity. It shows strength."
3. "We cannot be suppressed. We are meant to express our joy and our love and our tears and be big and bold and definitely not easy to swallow."
4. "My activism does not need proof to be real. It exists in the work of my bones against weight in the morning."
5. "End the 'angry black girl' narrative. It's just another attempt to undermine certain perspectives. I have strong opinions. I am not angry."

I'm so proud of this strong, confident young woman, and I'm excited to see her continuing work as both an activist and an actress.