Nickelodeon Ned's Declassified star Lindsey Shaw says she is taking a break from social media after facing backlash for mocking Black TikTok creators.
In a now-deleted TikTok video, Shaw shows a clip of a dance trend that was started by Black creators. After the clip plays, the actress says “Are we okay? What the f**k is this?” Shaw then proceeds to mimic the viral dance, E! Online reported.
Many people criticized Shaw and called her a racist for mocking Black creators. However, Shaw said, as a millennial, she was just poking fun at a Gen Z dance trend.
In a video posted on July 11, an emotional Shaw is seen crying while defending her actions, Pop Crave reported.
'Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide' star Lindsey Shaw quits social media after being called racist for mocking Black creators' TikTok trend. pic.twitter.com/4GPjjn7yIB
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) July 12, 2021
“I just have to say right now that the hate in my inbox is not okay. Okay? I did not mean anything in any kind of way. I am learning every day, as I think everybody is. And this kind of hate, just needs to evaporate from the planet, no matter who it’s directed towards,” Shaw said. “Crocodile tears, no dude this is like my soul out there. If you know anything about what I stand for or what I believe in, you know that it’s not this. I am sorry you were offended.”
The actress goes on to say that she plans to take a break from all social media platforms for her “own mental health.”
“I need to take a step back from social media. I felt like that anyway, but it’s like I’m not here to offend or belittle anybody, at all. I thought the millennial and Gen Z thing, was a thing on TikTok. The intention wasn’t that serious y’all…so I’m just going to go off of here for a little while. But I appreciate you and love you,” she added.
Twitter users called Shaw out for her "[white] people tears" during her apology.
Lindsey Shaw ig story just pissed me off. First off why she try to use them yt ppl tears to cover her ass, made sure she turned her head so we could see that ONE year fall, the ONE and ONLY! BYE????I’m so sick of this!
— Christina✊???? (@brinasbrows) July 12, 2021
how is lindsey shaw 32 years old and still learning racism is wrong pic.twitter.com/MxbBnxm1kJ
— Cedrica (@iamcedrica) July 12, 2021
One Twitter user said Black creators not only have to worry about not receiving credit for their original work, but they also have to be concerned with being mocked.
My friends and I are black creators that are currently trending on #TikTok this is one of many obstacles we have to deal with on the app. We are often stripped of credits from larger creators and now we’re being mocked by #LindseyShaw we don’t deserve this. (1/2) https://t.co/IHdDiw0gz3
pic.twitter.com/QicUIUu8pP— AKUA ONOMATOPOEIA⚡️???????? (@00akua) July 12, 2021
Me watching Lindsey Shaw crying in that apology video pic.twitter.com/mSE8pICeyY
— Sheri Diabla ???? (@SheriDiabla) July 13, 2021
Another Twitter user said Shaw’s emotional video is another example of how white women play victim.
Lindsey Shaw is the epitome of white women playing victim over shit that THEY cause ???? she’s such a weirdo
— ya daddy (@portablegucci) July 12, 2021
UPDATE: #LindseyShaw then had the AUDACITY to be completely dismissive and say “I’m sorry, you were offended”.
Frankly her tears were so fake, her whole response feels like a parody or joke. #Racist
pic.twitter.com/Adtth5S0VW— Lilo (@sourpatchdiary) July 13, 2021
Another user said her tears were "so fake."
Lindsey Shaw is by far the biggest joke ever. I’m sorry but how are you the victim when you were being problematic & racist online?? your “apology and tears” were so fake that I literally could not keep a straight face. You’re a racist and I’m happy you’re exposed. pic.twitter.com/EyExEoQPcK
— Supreme Libra (@itssavvybabe) July 12, 2021
hot take (maybe) but it’s so weird when people film themselves breaking down when they get called out for doing something problematic (re lindsey shaw)
— miss chanandler bong (@houghholker) July 12, 2021
Shaw says at some point in the future she will return to social media and hopes that when she returns, she will know more and the world will “have a little more compassion and understanding."
