Kids, Race and Unity: A Nick News Special
Common Sense says
- Nickelodeon
- Educational
- 2020
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What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Kids, Race and Unity: A Nick News Special discusses racism and activism through the experiences of young people across the United States. Movements like Black Lives Matter and terms relating to systematic racism are deconstructed in ways that kids can understand, including discussions about discrimination against Black people in the past and present. The brutal deaths of Trayvon Martin, George Floyd, and Breonna Taylor are briefly discussed, and the use of the N-word is talked about (but not repeated). Some of these conversations may be uncomfortable, but they are not inappropriate, and are introduced to help encourage kids and families to talk more openly about racism.
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What's the story?
KIDS, RACE AND UNITY: A NICK NEWS SPECIAL is a viewing event designed to help kids deconstruct contemporary conversations surrounding racism, and to showcase the different ways they are challenging racial injustice. Hosted by singer Alicia Keys, it features interviews with young people across the United States who have witnessed or experienced racism, and who are proactively getting involved in fighting it. Viewers get to hear from the six teen co-founders of Teens4Equality (who organized a 20,000 person anti-racism protest in less than a week via Twitter), viral singing star Keedron Bryant, and others who are, in their own ways, doing what they can to help promote change. It also features adults like #BlackLivesMatter founders Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors and Opal Tometi, and author Ibram X. Kendi, talking about what race is, and how racism specifically targets Black people. Families also share some of the challenges they have when trying to talk about these issues. Between interviews are cameo appearances by folks like Simone Biles, Kevin Hart, Naomi Campbell, and Chance The Rapper, who offer kids their advice and support.
Is it any good?
The honest and inspiring Nick News reboot showcases young people across the country making their voices heard and finding proactive ways to fight racism. With the help of experts, key terms like “ally” and “privilege” are defined in ways that facilitate the understanding of the public dialogues taking place, and improve communication about race-related issues. It also allows for uncomfortable conversations, especially when Black and African-American children share their feelings about being targets of racism, and when those who are multiracial or white their reactions to witnessing racist behavior.
While the approach isn’t as journalism or education-focused as the original series, the conversations featured here are direct, insightful, and constructive. However, these exchanges are heavily edited in order to fit all of them into the 48 minutes of actual presentation time. Despite Alicia Keys, attempts to reiterate important points, the segments are too brief to allow for any real in-depth discussions. Nonetheless, Kids, Race and Unity: A Nick News Special has a lot to offer, and can serve as a great starting point for families to engage in some important conversations about racism around the world.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about why race and racism can be difficult to talk about. Why can it be challenging? What are some of the ways the families featured on Kids, Race and Unity: A Nick News Special are approaching these conversations with each other?
There are many ways that media can help us address tough issues like racism and racial violence. But what are some of the less obvious ways that the media can reinforce racism? What are some of the ways that we can teach kids to recognize that it is happening?
TV details
- Premiere date: June 29, 2020
- Cast: Alicia Keys
- Network: Nickelodeon
- Genre: Educational
- Topics: Activism, Great Boy Role Models, Great Girl Role Models
- Character strengths: Communication, Compassion, Courage, Empathy, Integrity, Perseverance, Teamwork
- TV rating: NR
- Available on: Streaming
- Last updated: April 4, 2021
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