Alicia Keys Hosts Nickelodeon News Special, Expresses Hope for the Use of Offensive Language to Diminish

During Nick News Special ‘Kids, Race, and Unity’, host Alicia Keys shared her feelings on the use of offensive language in music and real-life scenarios.

Nick News Special aired Monday, June 29 at 7 p.m. ET/PT. This particular special came out to help raise more awareness of the Black Lives Matter movement. This segment is a safe space where children, teens, and families can become educated and initiate conversations regarding race, black culture, anti-racism resources, and activists who are fighting for racial equality.

While Alicia sat down with a group of young children, she asked if any of them had experienced their friends using offensive language or slurs. A young girl confessed to overhearing friends use “offensive language” while listening to music.

“One of the things I’ve been thinking about in my family and my friends as well is how important it is to hold each other accountable. What I mean by that is speaking up and saying, ‘Hey, that’s not cool. That really makes me feel uncomfortable. I would like to explain to you why that makes me feel uncomfortable to me and as my friend, I’d love for you to consider not using that word,'” Alicia said.

She added, “Even as myself, I want to share that I feel very strongly about the N-word. I ask people to replace the word king for that word. Can you say, king? Can you say, brother? Even giving people another language to use.”

During this week’s special, celebrities such as Chance the Rapper, Naomi Campbell, and Simone Biles joined the discussion guide and encouraged children to always speak their minds and to stay true to themselves.

Chance the Rapper elaborated on the Black Lives Matter movement adding, ” ‘Black Lives Matter’:  I’m sure you guys have been hearing that a lot lately, and maybe curious or had questions about what it means,” the rapper shared. ” Black Lives Matter means everybody will be treated fairly and it just means everyone will get a fair shot at life and pursuit of their own happiness and treated like a human being.”

“So as you see all of these things happening in the world, just know that it’s your parents fighting for a better world for you guys and wanting to reeducate ourselves as well as you guys on what it means to be a good person,” the rapper.

Nick News has more specials to come but for now, take a look at the full length special “Kids, Race, and Unity” on YouTube. Sit back, take in the important lessons, and apply them to your everyday life to help make this world a better place for you and your families.