Nick Cannon is not pleased with the executives at NBC. As a result, Cannon is refusing to return to America's Got Talent, which he has hosted for eight years.

The 36-year-old San Diego, Calif. native posted a lengthy message on Facebook today (Feb. 13), in which he discusses why he's stepping away from the popular TV show. It all started when Cannon recorded a comedy stand-up special about a month ago, in which he jokes that NBC is making him lose his "black card," implying that the network is putting him in a box and not allowing him to fully express himself on the show.

NBC caught wind of the comment and threatened to terminate Cannon, claiming he violated his contract, which apparently contains a clause barring him from speaking about the network without approval. The America's Got Talent executives ultimately decided not to fire Cannon, but the damage was done.

"I find myself in a dark place having to make a decision that I wish I didn't have to, but as a man, an artist, and a voice for my community I will not be silenced, controlled or treated like a piece of property. There is no amount of money worth my dignity or my integrity," Cannon writes on Facebook. "I have loved hosting AMERICAS GOT TALENT for the last 8 seasons, watching talented, brave, and courageous Americans accomplish their dreams in front of millions has been nothing but a joy, and everyone has been a pleasure to work with but my soul won't allow me to be in business with corporations that attempt to frown on freedom of speech, censor artists, and question cultural choices."

He continues, "I felt like I was apart of the fabric of our great nation every summer, representing every culture, age, gender, and demographic. Now for the rug to be pulled from underneath me and to be publicly reprimanded and ridiculed over a joke about my own race is completely wrong and I have to do something about it. I have fought many battles in my career and have never been afraid to go up against the system."

You can view the entire post below via Cannon's official Facebook account. He also posted an excerpt of the same message on Instagram.

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