The trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens was thrilling. There were the usual ingredients - spaceships whizzing through the sky, lots of armoured troopers. But there was also a very unusual one: a young Black British actor in one of the lead roles.

This was John Boyega's big breakthrough. He went on to make two more Star Wars films, The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker. Now he is impressing audiences again in the movies Breaking and The Woman King.

But he is also in the headlines for another reason. In a recent interview, he told GQ: "I only date Black."

The remark was widely criticised. No White actor, it was claimed, could get away with saying that he only dated White women. But Boyega refused to explain his position.

Those who defend him point to a speech he gave at a Black Lives MatterA political movement which aims to challenge police brutality and racism towards black people all across the world, usually using protests and other means of activism. rally in London. It emphasised the importance of Black men showing respect for Black women:

"They are our hearts, they are our future... we can all join together to make this a better world."

It could have been a sermon by his father, who is a PentecostalA Christian movement emphasising baptism in the Holy Spirit. minister. Boyega thanks his parents for giving him a stable and inspiring start to life.

Boyega was just nine when he started learning to be an actor. At 19 he starred in his first film, Attack the Block. 

But it was not all plain sailing. Boyega was a friend of Damilola TaylorA 10-year-old boy who was stabbed and killed in London in 2000., a 10-year-old boy who was stabbed to death in Peckham in 2000.

Boyega received racist abuse after being cast in the Star Wars films. He has since helped with schemes to help actors and film-makers from ethnic minorities.¹

His position on dating may simply be a way of showing respect. But others say it was wrong. If he stands by it, the debate is unlikely to die down anytime soon.

Yes: If we are ever to achieve a harmonious society, we need to be open to meeting, befriending and dating all sorts of people. Boyega is setting a terrible example.

No: He is simply being honest, and respectful to Black women. He is looking for someone whose life experience is similar to his. The criticism went too far.

Or... Love is blind, and those who set out to marry a particular type of person rarely do so in the end. There is a good chance that Boyega will not follow his words.