Nickelodeon Airs Powerful Statement About Supporting Black Lives Matter
By Peyton Blakemore
June 3, 2020
For eight minutes and 46 seconds Nickelodeon, along with several other Viacom networks, paused their regular programming schedule in solidarity of the Black Lives Matter movement and to honor the life of George Floyd, an unarmed black man murdered by Minneapolis police.
The intentional cable interruption, which aired on Monday (June 1), lasted the amount of time police officer Derek Chauvin pressed his knee on George's neck, which resulted in his death.
“You have the right to be seen, heard, and respected as a citizen of the world," Nickelodeon said in a statement, which they titled, Nickelodeon Declaration of Kids' Rights," ahead of their cable blackout. "You have the right to a world that is peaceful. You have the right to be treated with equality, regardless of the color of your skin. You have the right to be protected from harm, injustice, and hatred. You have the right to an education that prepares you to run the world. You have the right to your opinions and feelings, even if others don’t agree with them.”
we are all part of the change #blacklivesmatter
— Nickelodeon (@Nickelodeon) June 1, 2020
✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽✊🏼✊🏻 pic.twitter.com/Y3Fzvob54X
While some parents shared complaints about the message, many expressed gratitude for Nick's strong stand against racial injustice.
See some of the responses below!
Nickelodeon.
— Upmind! (@Upmind_) June 2, 2020
Growing up, they were pivotal in mine, and a whole generations development as children and adolescents.
In 2020, they have proven that they aren't afraid to side publicly what is right.
This video played on all of their channels for 8 minutes and 47 seconds.
Wow. pic.twitter.com/xZEmHUhVHc
To the folks like the person in the below screenshot, angry that Nickelodeon aired a powerful 8 minute and 46 second statement because it was “inappropriate” for children:
— Boozy Badger (@BoozyBadger) June 2, 2020
Tamir Rice was 12 years old when he was gunned down by the police while holding a toy gun. pic.twitter.com/0Z5ciUVMef
white people being enraged over a Nickelodeon commercial scaring their children is the perfect example of their privilege. while your kid is scared of a commercial black kids are scared of being murdered solely for their skin color . disgusting.
— ⁷ (@gcfshobi) June 2, 2020
that was the best thing Nickelodeon has done since the Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide Season 2 finale when Ned and Moze kissed for the first time
— jakey (@nakeyjakey) June 2, 2020
seriously though wow
Nickelodeon stopping broadcast to show nine minutes of the words 'I can't breathe' so the sound effect of laboured breathing.
— Charlie Higson (@CPHigson) June 2, 2020
People are complaining that it was unnerving, scary, uncomfortable. Thats the damn point.
Nickelodeon went off the air for 8 minutes and 46 seconds to educate and display messages for their viewers on ways they can help find justice for George Floyd & Black lives. Literally doing God’s work. pic.twitter.com/SIzS55nXGs
— pop religion (@popligion) June 2, 2020
White parents, if your children were scared/confused by the Nickelodeon broadcast, this is a perfect moment to talk about why racism IS scary. Lean INTO that discomfort. Talk to your child about why the fear that they feel is a fear that Black children can't flip the channel on.
— Ashlee Latimer (@ALNL) June 2, 2020
Photo: Getty images