MTV Airs in Black and White for MLK Day

MTV is set to have a full day of black and white programming, initiates #TheTalk trend.

If you happened to be flipping through the channels today on your day off you may have been caught off guard by MTV's broadcasting approach. Starting today at 9 a.m. MTV began broadcasting their programs in black and white in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr day.

MTV doesn't stop there though. During these programs, the television station plans on airing their new series of PSA's titled "The Talk". These PSA's feature real life stories from celebrities and public figures in regards to race. Some of these speakers include rappers Kendrick Lamar, Rick Ross,Common and  Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy. These artists will be accompanied by Senator Cory Booker, Senator Rand Paul, and Congressman John Lewis. Lewis is also known for being present for the march from Selma to Montgomerywith Dr. King nearly 50 years ago today

These PSA's are in light of the many controversial racial issues that have been present in the United States in the past couple years. MTV urges it's viewers to join the conversation using the hashtag, #TheTalk. When asked about The Talk PSA's MTV's President Stephen Friedman stated that, "Millennials believe strongly in fairness, but they can also find it difficult to talk openly about race- to be not simply 'color blind' but 'color brave'. Our audience is looking for a way to bring the national conversation on race into their homes, and this campaign will give them a forum to express true color bravery."

This is in light of a recent MTV study that states that 73% of 14 to 24-year-olds believe that having a more open, constructive conversation about bias will help people become less prejudiced, yet only 10% report having those conversations. MTV hopes their actions today will help their viewers be able to speak out about these controversial topics and be able to learn from other people's encounters.