Tyler “Ninja” Blevins — the popular video game player who made his name streaming Fortnite videos — has a message for parents: He’s not there to parent your child.
What’s going on?
Blevins recently spoke with The New York Times about the nature of his video game channels and how he handles racism and bigotry in his streaming chats.
Blevins told The New York Times it’s not his job to teach your children about racism or bigotry. That needs to come from the home.
- “It all comes down to parenting. You want to know who your kid is? Listen to him when he’s playing video games when he thinks you’re not. Here’s another thing: How does a white kid know he has white privilege if his parents never teach him or don’t talk about racism?”
And it isn’t his job to call out negative behavior and educate people on racism, Ninja told The New York Times.
- “Is it my job to have this conversation with this kid? No, because the first thing that’s going on in my head is, ‘This kid is doing this on purpose to troll me.’ If someone says a racial slur on someone else’s stream, it can potentially get that streamer banned. It’s awful, but that’s the first thing I think of.”
More comments
Ninja’s comments led to some criticism of Ninja. For example, Mister Preda tweeted that Ninja, as an influencer, has a responsibility to be a good role model.
- “Correct, but hopefully you can see YOUR privilege, @Ninja, as a influencer who has the platform of 24+ million & educate yourself & subscribers on the civil rights issues in the world — some of who look up to you, and not their parents, as a role model. That, is your job,” the tweet read.
Ninja fired back in response, doubling-down on his message that he shouldn’t have to parent children who follow him on social media.
- “It is not my job to sit down and make a video with all of my audiences and do a lesson on civil rights and how to not be a racist,” he said. “I show that I am a good person through my actions and how I treat people and those around me, every. Single. Day.”