In the wake of the ongoing protests over the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers, The Pokemon Company has pledged to donate $100,000 to Black Lives Matter and a further $100,000 to the NAACP. On May 25, George Floyd was seemingly murdered by a police officer who knelt with his knee pressed down on the man’s neck for nearly nine minutes until it killed him. The Minneapolis initially declined to press charges on the officer or his colleagues, and protests began to spring up across the country, demanding justice for George Floyd.
As the days wore on, the protests escalated, leading to full-blown riots and unprecedented displays of police brutality across the country. Even other countries have staged their own protests in support of the movement, and various corporations and pop culture brands have voiced their approval, from social media posts to donations to various charities. The Pokemon Company is the latest corporation to support the cause.
The Pokemon Company shared a Twitter post in which they pledged a $100,000 donation to Black Lives Matter, as well as a separate $100,000 donation to the NAACP. In addition, the company expressed its dedication to inclusivity and equity, condemning systemic racism and senseless violence.
The current Black Lives Matter protests arrive in the aftermath of the Coronavirus pandemic, which continues to threaten the lives of many across the world. Unemployment remains at a dangerously high level in the United States is sure to have exacerbated the sense of general unrest among all Americans. The death of George Floyd, captured on video for all to see, was the final ingredient required to turn discontent into legitimate action, leading to the current situation.
The Pokemon Company’s donation is surely welcome, but is it enough? The Pokemon brand has made an estimated $95 billion since its inception in 1996. The latest games in the series, Pokemon Sword and Shield, have sold over 17 million units. With these figures in mind, $200,000 seems like less than a drop in the bucket for them, representing a symbolic gesture more than a genuine act to inspire change. Corporations are not people, and this move is likely an intent to make the firm look better in the public eye rather than a true display of solidarity for the Black Lives Matter movement. The Pokémon Company can do more and should do more, but this is better than nothing, at least.
