1 00:00:01,168 --> 00:00:02,836 Hey! What's going on, everybody? I'm Trevor Noah, 2 00:00:02,870 --> 00:00:05,239 and this is The Daily Social Distancing Show. 3 00:00:05,272 --> 00:00:06,740 Today is March 16, 4 00:00:06,773 --> 00:00:09,076 which means we are smack-dab in the middle 5 00:00:09,109 --> 00:00:10,477 of Women's History Month. 6 00:00:10,511 --> 00:00:12,813 And to celebrate, let's once again highlight 7 00:00:12,846 --> 00:00:15,916 a random woman from history so we can thank her. 8 00:00:15,949 --> 00:00:17,951 Let's see who we got today. 9 00:00:19,286 --> 00:00:21,121 -(ding) -Oh! 10 00:00:21,154 --> 00:00:22,990 Today is Anne Thompson, 11 00:00:23,023 --> 00:00:25,492 the first woman to tell her boyfriend 12 00:00:25,526 --> 00:00:27,327 that she doesn't give a shit 13 00:00:27,361 --> 00:00:29,730 that Jango Fett's origin was retconned 14 00:00:29,763 --> 00:00:30,931 in The Mandalorian. 15 00:00:30,964 --> 00:00:32,666 God bless you, Anne Thompson. 16 00:00:32,699 --> 00:00:33,934 Anyway, on tonight's show, 17 00:00:33,967 --> 00:00:36,770 why Donald Trump won't help you get vaccinated, 18 00:00:36,803 --> 00:00:39,039 the Catholic Church is making it rain, 19 00:00:39,072 --> 00:00:42,109 and Tinder knows all your secrets. 20 00:00:42,142 --> 00:00:43,343 So let's do this, people. 21 00:00:43,377 --> 00:00:46,013 Welcome to The Daily Social Distancing Show. 22 00:00:46,046 --> 00:00:47,681 ? ? 23 00:00:47,714 --> 00:00:49,850 ANNOUNCER: From Trevor's couch in New York City 24 00:00:49,883 --> 00:00:52,319 to your couch somewhere in the world, 25 00:00:52,352 --> 00:00:54,621 this is The Daily Social Distancing Show 26 00:00:54,655 --> 00:00:56,056 with Trevor Noah. 27 00:00:56,089 --> 00:00:58,392 ? ? 28 00:00:58,425 --> 00:00:59,793 Let's kick things off 29 00:00:59,826 --> 00:01:02,930 with some hot technology news about Tinder, 30 00:01:02,963 --> 00:01:05,532 A.K.A. Postmates for chlamydia. 31 00:01:05,566 --> 00:01:07,801 Tinder dates can be unpredictable. 32 00:01:07,835 --> 00:01:09,002 I mean, the only thing you know for sure 33 00:01:09,036 --> 00:01:10,771 when you meet up with a Tinder match 34 00:01:10,804 --> 00:01:12,773 is that they're not gonna look 35 00:01:12,806 --> 00:01:14,908 as good as they do in their profile pic. 36 00:01:14,942 --> 00:01:18,312 But now Tinder wants to give you a little extra peek 37 00:01:18,345 --> 00:01:20,113 behind the curtain. 38 00:01:20,147 --> 00:01:22,282 NEWSWOMAN: Tinder will soon let users run background checks 39 00:01:22,316 --> 00:01:23,450 on possible dates. 40 00:01:23,483 --> 00:01:24,785 Match, which owns Tinder, 41 00:01:24,818 --> 00:01:26,286 announcing an investment in Garbo. 42 00:01:26,320 --> 00:01:28,689 That's a nonprofit that aims to let people run checks 43 00:01:28,722 --> 00:01:30,724 with only their name and phone number. 44 00:01:30,757 --> 00:01:33,060 So this means that users will be able to vet dates 45 00:01:33,093 --> 00:01:35,262 with details such as their arrest record 46 00:01:35,295 --> 00:01:36,663 or history of violence. 47 00:01:36,697 --> 00:01:38,365 Background checks will not be free, 48 00:01:38,398 --> 00:01:40,367 but Match says that it's working on a price 49 00:01:40,400 --> 00:01:42,803 that will make it affordable for most users. 50 00:01:42,836 --> 00:01:44,238 Yes! 51 00:01:44,271 --> 00:01:47,708 A Tinder background check, baby! 52 00:01:47,741 --> 00:01:50,911 This will help people avoid dating criminals, 53 00:01:50,944 --> 00:01:54,948 and it'll help criminals find other criminals 54 00:01:54,982 --> 00:01:56,416 to do crimes with. 55 00:01:56,450 --> 00:01:57,584 Aw. 56 00:01:57,618 --> 00:01:58,652 You know, if you ask me, 57 00:01:58,685 --> 00:02:00,587 it's about time that they started this feature. 58 00:02:00,621 --> 00:02:02,723 I mean, for one thing, it's way more efficient 59 00:02:02,756 --> 00:02:04,291 than what people have to do now 60 00:02:04,324 --> 00:02:05,993 to figure out if they're dating a criminal. 61 00:02:06,026 --> 00:02:09,363 "So, are you into wine? 62 00:02:09,396 --> 00:02:11,698 "Like, you know, have you ever made... 63 00:02:11,732 --> 00:02:13,367 toilet wine?" 64 00:02:13,400 --> 00:02:15,469 And if there are any guys out there going, 65 00:02:15,502 --> 00:02:18,138 "Wait, I don't want a woman knowing all this stuff about me 66 00:02:18,172 --> 00:02:20,140 before we even date," my man, 67 00:02:20,174 --> 00:02:23,277 trust me, they already know way more 68 00:02:23,310 --> 00:02:24,978 than a background check will tell them. 69 00:02:25,012 --> 00:02:26,647 Before a woman goes on a date with you, 70 00:02:26,680 --> 00:02:29,650 she and her friends have already scrolled through your Instagram 71 00:02:29,683 --> 00:02:32,753 and the Instagrams of everyone tagged on your Instagram. 72 00:02:32,786 --> 00:02:34,421 So they already know you still comment 73 00:02:34,454 --> 00:02:37,090 on photos of your prom date, even though she has kids now. 74 00:02:37,124 --> 00:02:38,959 They know everything. 75 00:02:38,992 --> 00:02:40,327 And just to be clear, 76 00:02:40,360 --> 00:02:41,795 just because someone has a criminal history, 77 00:02:41,828 --> 00:02:43,630 it doesn't mean that you shouldn't date them, okay? 78 00:02:43,664 --> 00:02:44,998 I'm not saying that. In fact, 79 00:02:45,032 --> 00:02:46,466 depending on the crime, 80 00:02:46,500 --> 00:02:48,235 it might even make them pretty appealing. 81 00:02:48,268 --> 00:02:50,571 You know? Like, at first, you might swipe left 82 00:02:50,604 --> 00:02:52,773 on someone who did time for insurance fraud. 83 00:02:52,806 --> 00:02:54,708 But 900 horrible dates later, 84 00:02:54,741 --> 00:02:56,844 you're gonna come back to him like, "You know, 85 00:02:56,877 --> 00:02:58,812 "insurance fraud is really one of the smart felonies, 86 00:02:58,846 --> 00:03:00,380 "when you think about it. 87 00:03:00,414 --> 00:03:01,882 Let's go out for that drink." 88 00:03:01,915 --> 00:03:04,551 Honestly, I want a background check 89 00:03:04,585 --> 00:03:08,689 that'll look for other warning signs besides criminal history. 90 00:03:08,722 --> 00:03:12,826 You know? Like, do they kiss with their eyes open? 91 00:03:12,860 --> 00:03:16,563 Do they send you memes three weeks after they went viral? 92 00:03:17,564 --> 00:03:19,900 Are they obsessed with astrology? 93 00:03:19,933 --> 00:03:21,301 Or, even worse, 94 00:03:21,335 --> 00:03:23,136 are they a Capricorn? (shudders) 95 00:03:23,170 --> 00:03:25,506 Speaking of people who could use a background check, 96 00:03:25,539 --> 00:03:26,874 the Catholic Church. 97 00:03:26,907 --> 00:03:29,009 As an institution, the church has been involved 98 00:03:29,042 --> 00:03:32,079 in many shady things over the past 2,000 years. 99 00:03:32,112 --> 00:03:33,413 You know? The Crusades, 100 00:03:33,447 --> 00:03:34,681 waterboarding babies, 101 00:03:34,715 --> 00:03:37,017 that priest who keeps walking into a bar. 102 00:03:37,050 --> 00:03:38,218 That guy has a drinking problem. 103 00:03:38,252 --> 00:03:40,320 But now a major Catholic order 104 00:03:40,354 --> 00:03:43,991 is trying to make good on one mistake from its history. 105 00:03:44,024 --> 00:03:45,559 As calls for reparations 106 00:03:45,592 --> 00:03:47,895 continue to grow across the U.S., 107 00:03:47,928 --> 00:03:51,532 Catholic priests have vowed to raise $100 million 108 00:03:51,565 --> 00:03:53,867 to benefit descendants of enslaved people. 109 00:03:53,901 --> 00:03:56,069 Leaders in the Catholic Church acknowledged 110 00:03:56,103 --> 00:03:59,139 that the institution was built on the backs of slaves, 111 00:03:59,173 --> 00:04:02,209 and they say this is a move towards racial healing. 112 00:04:02,242 --> 00:04:04,444 It's a way of our asking for forgiveness 113 00:04:04,478 --> 00:04:06,346 and making reparations. 114 00:04:06,380 --> 00:04:11,051 $100 million. 115 00:04:11,084 --> 00:04:12,319 That's huge. 116 00:04:12,352 --> 00:04:15,489 Do you realize how many pieces of art from the Vatican 117 00:04:15,522 --> 00:04:17,858 they're gonna have to sell to raise that much money? 118 00:04:17,891 --> 00:04:19,193 Like... 119 00:04:19,226 --> 00:04:20,260 one. 120 00:04:20,294 --> 00:04:21,728 Still, this is great news. 121 00:04:21,762 --> 00:04:24,097 The Catholic Church not just recognizing 122 00:04:24,131 --> 00:04:25,632 that owning slaves was wrong 123 00:04:25,666 --> 00:04:27,768 but making reparations to the descendants 124 00:04:27,801 --> 00:04:29,970 for exploiting their ancestors. 125 00:04:30,003 --> 00:04:32,139 And I bet it will be a wonderful moment 126 00:04:32,172 --> 00:04:33,640 when the church presents those descendants 127 00:04:33,674 --> 00:04:34,775 with the reparations. 128 00:04:34,808 --> 00:04:36,677 (chanting): "This money is for owning 129 00:04:36,710 --> 00:04:39,012 your great-grandfather." 130 00:04:39,046 --> 00:04:41,215 "Uh, I thought this was for you guys touching us 131 00:04:41,248 --> 00:04:42,516 when we were kids." 132 00:04:42,549 --> 00:04:45,719 And I don't know how they plan to give out this money, 133 00:04:45,752 --> 00:04:47,154 but, in my opinion, 134 00:04:47,187 --> 00:04:48,488 I think they should keep it simple. 135 00:04:48,522 --> 00:04:50,991 From now on, every collection plate 136 00:04:51,024 --> 00:04:53,594 goes directly to a Black person, 137 00:04:53,627 --> 00:04:55,395 and, that way, Black people can supervise 138 00:04:55,429 --> 00:04:56,697 the whole process, too. 139 00:04:56,730 --> 00:04:58,298 "Yo, yo, yo. Two dollars? 140 00:04:58,332 --> 00:04:59,867 "Man, I saw you parking that Range Rover. 141 00:04:59,900 --> 00:05:01,535 Come on, man. Come on. Do something." 142 00:05:01,568 --> 00:05:04,037 Moving on to news from Ireland, 143 00:05:04,071 --> 00:05:05,839 the country that ditched the royal family 144 00:05:05,873 --> 00:05:07,541 before Oprah's interview. 145 00:05:07,574 --> 00:05:09,576 If you've always wanted to visit the Emerald Isle 146 00:05:09,610 --> 00:05:10,811 for St. Patrick's Day, 147 00:05:10,844 --> 00:05:13,347 well, it turns out you're not the only one. 148 00:05:13,380 --> 00:05:16,149 NEWSWOMAN: An Arctic walrus was spotted in Ireland. 149 00:05:16,183 --> 00:05:18,652 Experts with the Marine Conservation Society say 150 00:05:18,685 --> 00:05:21,955 this young walrus likely fell asleep on an iceberg 151 00:05:21,989 --> 00:05:23,357 and woke up miles away. 152 00:05:23,390 --> 00:05:25,392 So scientists with the conservation society say 153 00:05:25,425 --> 00:05:29,196 it's incredibly unusual to see the animals so far south. 154 00:05:29,229 --> 00:05:31,999 They say he looks fit and well-fed 155 00:05:32,032 --> 00:05:35,269 and should be able to make the trip back home. 156 00:05:35,302 --> 00:05:36,803 Aw. 157 00:05:36,837 --> 00:05:38,272 What an adorable story 158 00:05:38,305 --> 00:05:40,574 of a walrus that went on a bender, 159 00:05:40,607 --> 00:05:43,377 blacked out, and is lying to its family. 160 00:05:43,410 --> 00:05:45,979 Seriously though, seeing a walrus this far south 161 00:05:46,013 --> 00:05:47,648 is so cute. 162 00:05:47,681 --> 00:05:50,350 And the good news is that, with climate change, 163 00:05:50,384 --> 00:05:52,753 this is gonna happen more and more. 164 00:05:52,786 --> 00:05:55,556 We're gonna get all sorts of Arctic animals floating down 165 00:05:55,589 --> 00:05:57,024 on melting icebergs: 166 00:05:57,057 --> 00:05:58,825 walruses, polar bears, 167 00:05:58,859 --> 00:05:59,993 Santa's corpse. 168 00:06:00,027 --> 00:06:01,828 It's gonna be so cool! 169 00:06:01,862 --> 00:06:04,331 You know, I bet accidents like this 170 00:06:04,364 --> 00:06:07,835 are how so many evolutionary leaps took place. 171 00:06:07,868 --> 00:06:10,904 Like, have you ever seen a tapir? 172 00:06:10,938 --> 00:06:12,439 Have you seen that thing? 173 00:06:12,472 --> 00:06:14,241 I mean, the only reason those things exist 174 00:06:14,274 --> 00:06:16,743 is clearly because, at some point in history, 175 00:06:16,777 --> 00:06:19,746 an elephant drifted into a family of skunks 176 00:06:19,780 --> 00:06:21,281 and they were all just like, 177 00:06:21,315 --> 00:06:23,417 "Okay, I guess we're doing this." 178 00:06:23,450 --> 00:06:24,918 And despite what everyone else feels, 179 00:06:24,952 --> 00:06:26,854 I don't feel bad for this walrus. 180 00:06:26,887 --> 00:06:29,456 I actually feel bad for all of his walrus friends 181 00:06:29,489 --> 00:06:31,091 in the Arctic. Yeah. 182 00:06:31,124 --> 00:06:33,427 Because when he gets back, 183 00:06:33,460 --> 00:06:35,362 they're gonna have to listen to him going, 184 00:06:35,395 --> 00:06:37,431 "Guinness just tastes better in Ireland. 185 00:06:37,464 --> 00:06:39,199 "You guys have to go. Oh, my God, 186 00:06:39,233 --> 00:06:41,034 "the Guinness here is horrible. 187 00:06:41,068 --> 00:06:42,803 "Real Guinness? Oh, guys. 188 00:06:42,836 --> 00:06:44,505 (chuckles) "You haven't lived. 189 00:06:44,538 --> 00:06:46,940 And, by the away, it's 'Ire-land.'" 190 00:06:46,974 --> 00:06:49,076 Moving on to our main story, 191 00:06:49,109 --> 00:06:51,345 the COVID vaccine. 192 00:06:51,378 --> 00:06:53,413 It's the reason all your friends have been dressing up 193 00:06:53,447 --> 00:06:55,415 as Mrs. Doubtfire. 194 00:06:55,449 --> 00:06:58,485 Where do things stand right now with the vaccine rollout? 195 00:06:58,519 --> 00:06:59,853 Do you know? 196 00:06:59,887 --> 00:07:02,155 Well, let's find out in another installment 197 00:07:02,189 --> 00:07:04,558 of Keeping Up with Corona. 198 00:07:04,591 --> 00:07:06,593 ? ? 199 00:07:08,829 --> 00:07:10,797 The United States is now administering 200 00:07:10,831 --> 00:07:14,635 2.4 million vaccine doses per day, 201 00:07:14,668 --> 00:07:16,303 which is amazing. 202 00:07:16,336 --> 00:07:20,040 In fact, it's one of the best vaccine rollouts in the world. 203 00:07:20,073 --> 00:07:22,176 But there are still concerns 204 00:07:22,209 --> 00:07:25,045 that many Americans are hesitant about getting the shot. 205 00:07:25,078 --> 00:07:26,313 And that's a big problem, 206 00:07:26,346 --> 00:07:28,982 especially because the country will soon be overrun 207 00:07:29,016 --> 00:07:30,617 by the U.K. variant, 208 00:07:30,651 --> 00:07:33,921 which is infecting thousands of Americans a day 209 00:07:33,954 --> 00:07:36,190 and taking all their acting roles. 210 00:07:36,223 --> 00:07:38,325 So, to stop that variant from taking hold, 211 00:07:38,358 --> 00:07:40,661 America needs to vaccinate as many people 212 00:07:40,694 --> 00:07:42,496 as quickly as possible, 213 00:07:42,529 --> 00:07:44,665 which is why four top Americans 214 00:07:44,698 --> 00:07:46,934 are trying to convince the rest of the country. 215 00:07:46,967 --> 00:07:49,469 NEWSMAN: Former presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, 216 00:07:49,503 --> 00:07:51,538 George W. Bush, and Jimmy Carter 217 00:07:51,572 --> 00:07:53,974 have joined together to make sure Americans understand 218 00:07:54,007 --> 00:07:56,476 the importance of getting the COVID vaccine. 219 00:07:56,510 --> 00:07:59,279 The Ad Council put out two new public service announcements-- 220 00:07:59,313 --> 00:08:01,849 you see 'em here-- featuring all of those former presidents 221 00:08:01,882 --> 00:08:03,417 and the former first ladies. 222 00:08:03,450 --> 00:08:05,319 In order to get rid of this pandemic, 223 00:08:05,352 --> 00:08:08,655 it's important for our fellow citizens to get vaccinated. 224 00:08:08,689 --> 00:08:10,390 This vaccine means hope. 225 00:08:10,424 --> 00:08:13,026 It will protect you and those you love 226 00:08:13,060 --> 00:08:15,295 from this dangerous and deadly disease. 227 00:08:15,329 --> 00:08:18,098 CARTER: I'm getting vaccinated because we want this pandemic 228 00:08:18,131 --> 00:08:19,700 to end as soon as possible. 229 00:08:19,733 --> 00:08:20,901 CLINTON: I want to go back to work, 230 00:08:20,934 --> 00:08:22,769 and I want to be able to move around. 231 00:08:22,803 --> 00:08:24,171 That's right, people. 232 00:08:24,204 --> 00:08:26,173 If we all get vaccinated, 233 00:08:26,206 --> 00:08:29,643 then Bill Clinton will be free to do whatever he wants, 234 00:08:29,676 --> 00:08:31,111 which-- Wait. 235 00:08:31,144 --> 00:08:32,379 Is that a good thing? 236 00:08:32,412 --> 00:08:34,214 But this is really great to see, you know? 237 00:08:34,248 --> 00:08:35,916 All these former presidents getting together 238 00:08:35,949 --> 00:08:37,551 to help this cause. 239 00:08:37,584 --> 00:08:38,919 The truth is, though, 240 00:08:38,952 --> 00:08:42,189 people don't always like being told what to do, you know? 241 00:08:42,222 --> 00:08:44,958 Sometimes you have to be a little more subtle, 242 00:08:44,992 --> 00:08:47,160 or do it without them knowing entirely. 243 00:08:47,194 --> 00:08:48,529 And when you think about it, 244 00:08:48,562 --> 00:08:50,931 ex-presidents should be last in line for the vaccine, 245 00:08:50,964 --> 00:08:52,165 because, let's be honest-- 246 00:08:52,199 --> 00:08:54,334 they're the least essential workers. 247 00:08:54,368 --> 00:08:56,537 I mean, what do ex-presidents do? 248 00:08:56,570 --> 00:08:58,972 All they do is, like, give speeches to Goldman Sachs. 249 00:08:59,006 --> 00:09:01,608 I'm just saying, if George Bush gets the vaccine, 250 00:09:01,642 --> 00:09:04,545 I better see him delivering my DoorDash order. 251 00:09:04,578 --> 00:09:06,380 Oh, shucks, I just spilled everything, 252 00:09:06,413 --> 00:09:08,649 but I hope you give me five stars. (laughs) 253 00:09:08,682 --> 00:09:10,184 Now, you've probably noticed 254 00:09:10,217 --> 00:09:12,653 that there was one president who didn't do the PSA-- 255 00:09:12,686 --> 00:09:15,522 Donald Jaundice Trump. 256 00:09:15,556 --> 00:09:16,790 And I know normally, 257 00:09:16,823 --> 00:09:18,959 Donald Trump not talking about coronavirus-- 258 00:09:18,992 --> 00:09:20,627 that would be a blessing. 259 00:09:20,661 --> 00:09:23,797 I mean, the ad campaign wouldn't be great if it was like... 260 00:09:23,830 --> 00:09:26,200 (as Obama): That's why everyone needs to get the vaccine. 261 00:09:26,233 --> 00:09:27,601 (as Trump): Or just snort Ajax. 262 00:09:27,634 --> 00:09:29,369 Works just as well. 263 00:09:29,403 --> 00:09:30,771 Many people are saying it. 264 00:09:30,804 --> 00:09:32,306 So many people. 265 00:09:32,339 --> 00:09:35,676 But this just might be the one case 266 00:09:35,709 --> 00:09:39,580 where Donald Trump can really make a good difference, 267 00:09:39,613 --> 00:09:42,282 because it turns out, the people who are most reluctant 268 00:09:42,316 --> 00:09:45,686 to get the vaccine are also his biggest fans. 269 00:09:45,719 --> 00:09:47,354 NEWSMAN: A new CBS News poll finds 270 00:09:47,387 --> 00:09:51,458 that a third of Republicans say they will not get vaccinated. 271 00:09:51,491 --> 00:09:53,861 That's more than Democrats and Independents. 272 00:09:53,894 --> 00:09:55,495 NEWSMAN 2: Dr. Anthony Fauci urging 273 00:09:55,529 --> 00:09:57,698 former president Donald Trump to persuade more 274 00:09:57,731 --> 00:10:00,734 of his followers to get the COVID-19 vaccine. 275 00:10:00,767 --> 00:10:02,269 I think it would make all the difference in the world. 276 00:10:02,302 --> 00:10:07,307 He's a very widely popular person among Republicans. 277 00:10:07,341 --> 00:10:09,810 If he came out and said, "Go and get vaccinated. 278 00:10:09,843 --> 00:10:12,246 "It's really important for your health, 279 00:10:12,279 --> 00:10:14,882 the health of your family, and the health of the country," 280 00:10:14,915 --> 00:10:18,085 it seems absolutely inevitable 281 00:10:18,118 --> 00:10:20,621 that the vast majority of people 282 00:10:20,654 --> 00:10:22,890 who are his close followers would listen to him. 283 00:10:22,923 --> 00:10:24,224 I just don't get it, Chris, 284 00:10:24,258 --> 00:10:26,593 why they don't want to get vaccinated. 285 00:10:26,627 --> 00:10:28,862 What? Of course they'll listen to him. 286 00:10:28,896 --> 00:10:31,665 Trump can convince his followers to do anything. 287 00:10:31,698 --> 00:10:34,067 The man convinced them to overthrow the government 288 00:10:34,101 --> 00:10:36,370 and try to hang Mike Pence, 289 00:10:36,403 --> 00:10:39,640 and that they all looked good in a busted red hat. 290 00:10:39,673 --> 00:10:42,075 And I can't say I'm surprised. I can't say that I'm surprised 291 00:10:42,109 --> 00:10:44,778 that Trump isn't making an effort to get people vaccinated. 292 00:10:44,811 --> 00:10:46,880 I mean, the man barely did his job when he had his job. 293 00:10:46,914 --> 00:10:49,683 You think he's going to start working now? For free? 294 00:10:49,716 --> 00:10:51,051 But the funny thing is, 295 00:10:51,084 --> 00:10:53,287 that even while Trump seems totally uninterested 296 00:10:53,320 --> 00:10:54,688 in promoting the vaccine, 297 00:10:54,721 --> 00:10:57,925 he's very interested in getting credit for it. 298 00:10:57,958 --> 00:11:00,127 The former president isn't staying silent, of course. 299 00:11:00,160 --> 00:11:02,896 He released a statement about the vaccine. 300 00:11:02,930 --> 00:11:05,232 "I hope that everyone remembers 301 00:11:05,265 --> 00:11:07,267 "when they're getting the COVID-19 302 00:11:07,301 --> 00:11:11,638 "(often referred to as the China Virus) Vaccine, 303 00:11:11,672 --> 00:11:13,473 "that if I wasn't president, 304 00:11:13,507 --> 00:11:16,343 "you wouldn't be getting that beautiful shot 305 00:11:16,376 --> 00:11:18,545 "for five years, at best, 306 00:11:18,579 --> 00:11:21,048 "and probably wouldn't be getting it at all. 307 00:11:21,081 --> 00:11:23,150 I hope everyone remembers!" 308 00:11:23,183 --> 00:11:24,885 Oh, man. (laughs) 309 00:11:24,918 --> 00:11:26,553 Oh, this dude. 310 00:11:26,587 --> 00:11:28,555 Man, he misses Twitter so much. 311 00:11:28,589 --> 00:11:32,593 'Cause, like, he used to be in the mix so hard, all the time. 312 00:11:32,626 --> 00:11:35,629 Now he just gets to issue a statement every week like, 313 00:11:35,662 --> 00:11:38,031 "Does anyone remember me? Hello?! 314 00:11:38,065 --> 00:11:39,833 "I was the covfefe guy. 315 00:11:39,867 --> 00:11:41,201 "We had good times. 316 00:11:41,235 --> 00:11:43,403 Remember me? Covfefe!" 317 00:11:43,437 --> 00:11:45,772 And, look, I get where Trump is coming from. 318 00:11:45,806 --> 00:11:48,509 The vaccines were a scientific miracle 319 00:11:48,542 --> 00:11:52,346 developed in record time on his watch. 320 00:11:52,379 --> 00:11:53,981 You cannot deny that. 321 00:11:54,014 --> 00:11:55,782 But that's what makes it so weird 322 00:11:55,816 --> 00:11:58,185 that he's not out there promoting the vaccine. 323 00:11:58,218 --> 00:12:00,254 Like, when Tom Brady won the Super Bowl, 324 00:12:00,287 --> 00:12:03,423 he went and held the trophy and celebrated with his team. 325 00:12:03,457 --> 00:12:05,526 He wasn't like, "Yo, I'm gonna sneak out the back. 326 00:12:05,559 --> 00:12:07,127 Don't tell anybody I was here." 327 00:12:07,160 --> 00:12:10,430 So, look, I don't know why Trump isn't promoting the vaccine. 328 00:12:10,464 --> 00:12:13,033 I mean, maybe he doesn't want to help Joe Biden end the pandemic. 329 00:12:13,066 --> 00:12:14,535 You know, maybe he's still trying 330 00:12:14,568 --> 00:12:16,203 to unload all the hydroxychloroquine 331 00:12:16,236 --> 00:12:17,571 that he bought last summer. 332 00:12:17,604 --> 00:12:19,039 The question is, though, 333 00:12:19,072 --> 00:12:21,542 why are Republicans so hesitant 334 00:12:21,575 --> 00:12:23,510 to get the vaccine in the first place? 335 00:12:23,544 --> 00:12:24,845 Well, it might be 336 00:12:24,878 --> 00:12:27,014 because their most trusted friends are telling them 337 00:12:27,047 --> 00:12:28,582 it can't be trusted. 338 00:12:28,615 --> 00:12:29,883 There are things we don't know 339 00:12:29,917 --> 00:12:31,185 about the effects of this vaccine. 340 00:12:31,218 --> 00:12:33,520 How necessary is it to take the vaccine? 341 00:12:33,554 --> 00:12:34,788 How effective are these drugs? 342 00:12:34,821 --> 00:12:37,124 Are they safe? Is there a study on that? 343 00:12:37,157 --> 00:12:39,126 May we see it? And, by the way, 344 00:12:39,159 --> 00:12:41,161 how much are the drug companies making off this stuff? 345 00:12:41,195 --> 00:12:42,729 I'm actually beginning to have doubts. 346 00:12:42,763 --> 00:12:44,831 I've been telling my friends I'm going to get the vaccine. 347 00:12:44,865 --> 00:12:46,400 They... You know, half of them agree, 348 00:12:46,433 --> 00:12:48,502 and the other half think I'm absolutely nuts. 349 00:12:48,535 --> 00:12:50,304 They wouldn't take it in a million years. 350 00:12:50,337 --> 00:12:51,939 I don't know who to listen to. 351 00:12:51,972 --> 00:12:55,409 Yeah, you see, Fox News isn't explicitly telling its viewers 352 00:12:55,442 --> 00:12:57,611 not to take the vaccine. 353 00:12:57,644 --> 00:13:00,714 They're just questioning whether you should, 354 00:13:00,747 --> 00:13:04,484 over and over and over again. 355 00:13:04,518 --> 00:13:07,221 Any you may think that that's irresponsible. 356 00:13:09,756 --> 00:13:11,625 My favorite segment on Tucker's show 357 00:13:11,658 --> 00:13:13,594 is when he fires off a bunch of questions 358 00:13:13,627 --> 00:13:15,996 that he could easily google. 359 00:13:16,029 --> 00:13:17,464 How effective is the vaccine? 360 00:13:17,497 --> 00:13:18,932 Is the vaccine safe? 361 00:13:18,966 --> 00:13:21,368 Are there any pizzerias near me? 362 00:13:21,401 --> 00:13:23,604 What do child stars look like now? 363 00:13:25,138 --> 00:13:26,406 And, you know, it's especially weird 364 00:13:26,440 --> 00:13:28,809 to hear people on the news doing this. 365 00:13:28,842 --> 00:13:30,777 Like, how does America still call this the news? 366 00:13:30,811 --> 00:13:33,747 You're the one who should be giving people the answers. 367 00:13:33,780 --> 00:13:35,182 And yet, you're asking it. 368 00:13:35,215 --> 00:13:37,317 It's like a math teacher going, "What is multiplication? 369 00:13:37,351 --> 00:13:40,587 "Who invented it? What is it going to be used for today? 370 00:13:40,621 --> 00:13:42,756 Okay, class dismissed." 371 00:13:44,591 --> 00:13:47,160 So, when it comes to promoting the vaccine, 372 00:13:47,194 --> 00:13:50,364 Trump has disappeared faster than Chris Harrison. 373 00:13:50,397 --> 00:13:52,199 And Tucker Carlson is more afraid 374 00:13:52,232 --> 00:13:54,868 of Cardi B's legs spreading than COVID spreading. 375 00:13:54,902 --> 00:13:58,372 So, is there any way to persuade conservatives 376 00:13:58,405 --> 00:14:01,942 that this vaccine is good for them? 377 00:14:01,975 --> 00:14:03,644 Well, I don't know, 378 00:14:03,677 --> 00:14:06,647 but there is a new product that's giving it a try. 379 00:14:06,680 --> 00:14:08,348 ANNOUNCER: Tired of liberal snobs 380 00:14:08,382 --> 00:14:11,852 and so-called doctors telling you to get vaccinated? 381 00:14:11,885 --> 00:14:14,121 Then you need Gunvaxx-- 382 00:14:14,154 --> 00:14:16,290 the only vaccine that's also a gun! 383 00:14:16,323 --> 00:14:18,425 Take out your enemies with one shot, 384 00:14:18,458 --> 00:14:20,727 or maybe two shots, three weeks apart. 385 00:14:20,761 --> 00:14:21,862 No background check required. 386 00:14:21,895 --> 00:14:23,463 This single-barrel beauty's 387 00:14:23,497 --> 00:14:27,734 got quick-trigger action to help you rack up an antibody count. 388 00:14:27,768 --> 00:14:30,003 And it was made right here in the U.S.A., 389 00:14:30,037 --> 00:14:31,738 thanks to President Trump. 390 00:14:31,772 --> 00:14:34,541 Everybody's complimenting me, saying, "Thank you very much." 391 00:14:34,575 --> 00:14:37,377 ANNOUNCER: You're gonna trust science to protect your family? 392 00:14:37,411 --> 00:14:39,813 Do it yourself with Gunvaxx. 393 00:14:39,847 --> 00:14:42,082 Because while being healthy is for wussies, 394 00:14:42,115 --> 00:14:45,018 we do like the part where we kill something. 395 00:14:45,052 --> 00:14:50,123 Gunvaxx-- you can pry it from our warm, living hands. 396 00:14:50,157 --> 00:14:51,558 All right, when we come back, 397 00:14:51,592 --> 00:14:54,027 the brilliant Rebecca Carroll will be on the show 398 00:14:54,061 --> 00:14:55,429 to talk about what it's like 399 00:14:55,462 --> 00:14:57,664 to be adopted by a white family when you're Black. 400 00:14:57,698 --> 00:14:57,764 Stick around. 401 00:15:00,466 --> 00:15:02,234 Welcome back to The Daily Social Distancing Show. 402 00:15:02,268 --> 00:15:04,670 Earlier today, I spoke with Rebecca Carroll, 403 00:15:04,703 --> 00:15:09,241 an award-winning author, podcast host and Black culture critic. 404 00:15:09,275 --> 00:15:10,709 We talked about her new memoir 405 00:15:10,743 --> 00:15:13,913 in which she examines transracial adoption 406 00:15:13,946 --> 00:15:16,715 and forging her own Black identity. 407 00:15:16,749 --> 00:15:20,286 Rebecca Carroll, welcome to The Daily Social Distancing Show. 408 00:15:20,319 --> 00:15:22,454 Thank you so much for having me, Trevor. 409 00:15:22,488 --> 00:15:24,456 It's truly a pleasure to have you here 410 00:15:24,490 --> 00:15:28,260 because you are, for so many people, a cultural icon. 411 00:15:28,294 --> 00:15:30,129 You know, you're a critic at large. 412 00:15:30,162 --> 00:15:33,199 You've interviewed some of the most notable voices 413 00:15:33,232 --> 00:15:35,801 and faces in the world today. 414 00:15:35,835 --> 00:15:38,571 You've had some of the most interesting conversations, 415 00:15:38,604 --> 00:15:40,406 not just about life, but about race 416 00:15:40,439 --> 00:15:41,974 and how it affects everybody's lives. 417 00:15:42,007 --> 00:15:44,810 But today, we're having you on the show for a really, um, 418 00:15:44,844 --> 00:15:46,946 similar, and yet, different reason, and that is 419 00:15:46,979 --> 00:15:49,415 because you've turned that lens on yourself 420 00:15:49,448 --> 00:15:53,252 with one of my favorite memoirs that I've ever read. 421 00:15:53,285 --> 00:15:56,689 As somebody who is so used to asking people about their lives, 422 00:15:56,722 --> 00:16:00,125 was it easier or harder to ask yourself questions 423 00:16:00,159 --> 00:16:03,662 about where you had come from and how you had come to be? 424 00:16:03,696 --> 00:16:06,065 Thank you, Trevor, for such a delightful 425 00:16:06,098 --> 00:16:08,367 and kind and generous introduction. 426 00:16:08,400 --> 00:16:10,169 I am really, really thrilled to be here, 427 00:16:10,202 --> 00:16:12,138 uh, and appreciate you so much. 428 00:16:12,171 --> 00:16:14,807 So, I thought it would be, given the fact 429 00:16:14,840 --> 00:16:16,942 that I had interviewed so many people, like, I thought, 430 00:16:16,976 --> 00:16:18,878 "Oh, yeah, I'll just turn it," as you said, 431 00:16:18,911 --> 00:16:20,913 "on me and ask myself some questions." 432 00:16:20,946 --> 00:16:23,182 Turns out, that's now how memoir writing works. 433 00:16:23,215 --> 00:16:24,917 (both laughing) 434 00:16:24,950 --> 00:16:26,986 Uh, neither is it about, you know, 435 00:16:27,019 --> 00:16:30,189 sort of stringing, um, memories together. 436 00:16:30,222 --> 00:16:31,490 It's really a craft. 437 00:16:31,524 --> 00:16:32,625 And so that was the thing that... 438 00:16:32,658 --> 00:16:35,394 that I was most concerned with 439 00:16:35,427 --> 00:16:39,298 and also, the most sort of, um, focused on. 440 00:16:39,331 --> 00:16:41,967 And I know that the story is interesting, 'cause I lived it. 441 00:16:42,001 --> 00:16:44,637 -Right. -But... but the most important thing for me 442 00:16:44,670 --> 00:16:48,174 was to figure out the arc and the craft 443 00:16:48,207 --> 00:16:50,242 of-of writing this memoir. 444 00:16:50,276 --> 00:16:52,878 And I think a lot of things had to happen. 445 00:16:52,912 --> 00:16:54,513 I had to get grown. 446 00:16:54,547 --> 00:16:58,751 Uh, I had to own the experiences. 447 00:16:58,784 --> 00:17:03,055 And I also had to make sure that... the... 448 00:17:03,088 --> 00:17:08,561 the narrative arc only answered the question of whether... 449 00:17:08,594 --> 00:17:11,363 what was... what was mentioned or included 450 00:17:11,397 --> 00:17:13,966 -survived the White Gaze. Right? -Right. Right. 451 00:17:13,999 --> 00:17:16,435 So there were a lot of experiences, obviously, 452 00:17:16,469 --> 00:17:20,206 that I could have included, but that was the process for me 453 00:17:20,239 --> 00:17:22,308 of really, like: Okay, but does that speak 454 00:17:22,341 --> 00:17:24,844 to surviving the White Gaze? 455 00:17:24,877 --> 00:17:26,979 "Surviving the White Gaze" is such an apt description 456 00:17:27,012 --> 00:17:28,614 for what it feels like you went through. 457 00:17:28,647 --> 00:17:30,950 Because for those who don't know a piece of your story, 458 00:17:30,983 --> 00:17:32,351 you-you... you were rai... 459 00:17:32,384 --> 00:17:34,620 you were adopted by a white family, 460 00:17:34,653 --> 00:17:37,756 raised by this family in an all-white neighborhood. 461 00:17:37,790 --> 00:17:39,959 I mean, you didn't see another black person 462 00:17:39,992 --> 00:17:43,429 until, I think it was, what, the age of-- was it six? 463 00:17:43,462 --> 00:17:44,930 Yeah. Six years old. 464 00:17:44,964 --> 00:17:48,667 And you-you tell these stories, and what's really interesting 465 00:17:48,701 --> 00:17:51,937 in the book is how you have your story, as a child 466 00:17:51,971 --> 00:17:53,305 who's adopted by a white family, 467 00:17:53,339 --> 00:17:55,741 and then we learn more of your story, you know, 468 00:17:55,774 --> 00:17:57,576 reconnecting with your birth mother, 469 00:17:57,610 --> 00:17:59,411 reconnecting with your birth father. 470 00:17:59,445 --> 00:18:01,514 And so we'll talk a little bit more about that, 471 00:18:01,547 --> 00:18:03,315 but let's start with the... 472 00:18:03,349 --> 00:18:05,551 with the adoption family. 473 00:18:05,584 --> 00:18:08,587 One of the most controversial conversations that people have, 474 00:18:08,621 --> 00:18:11,357 especially in American today, is: Should white people 475 00:18:11,390 --> 00:18:13,526 be adopting black children? 476 00:18:13,559 --> 00:18:15,327 Some people say no, never. 477 00:18:15,361 --> 00:18:17,363 And then others will say: How can you... 478 00:18:17,396 --> 00:18:20,332 Would you rather have a child not have parents... 479 00:18:20,366 --> 00:18:23,068 you know, than to have white parents who maybe aren't, 480 00:18:23,102 --> 00:18:25,805 you know, well versed in their cultural existence 481 00:18:25,838 --> 00:18:27,540 or how to raise a black child? 482 00:18:27,573 --> 00:18:30,142 And you have an interestingly nuanced point of view on this, 483 00:18:30,176 --> 00:18:31,610 because you lived it. 484 00:18:31,644 --> 00:18:33,345 How would you respond to people who say: 485 00:18:33,379 --> 00:18:35,581 Should white people adopt black children? 486 00:18:35,614 --> 00:18:38,884 So, let me preface my answer by saying, 487 00:18:38,918 --> 00:18:43,422 I was very loved, um, and I believe, uh, 488 00:18:43,455 --> 00:18:47,293 that transracial adoption can work. 489 00:18:47,326 --> 00:18:52,598 What I also think is that it presents a dynamic 490 00:18:52,631 --> 00:18:56,001 that mirrors the kind of foundational relationship 491 00:18:56,035 --> 00:18:58,137 between black folks and white folks. 492 00:18:58,170 --> 00:19:01,273 I am not likening transracial adoption to slavery. 493 00:19:01,307 --> 00:19:03,742 I'm saying that the foundational dynamic 494 00:19:03,776 --> 00:19:05,845 between black folks and white folks 495 00:19:05,878 --> 00:19:07,847 in this country-- and other countries, 496 00:19:07,880 --> 00:19:10,983 but in this country-- is white people setting the tone, 497 00:19:11,016 --> 00:19:13,786 setting the structure, setting the standards, 498 00:19:13,819 --> 00:19:17,523 deciding what is valuable, making choices 499 00:19:17,556 --> 00:19:20,826 for those who don't have any rights, really. Like, and... 500 00:19:20,860 --> 00:19:23,295 So that's what black kids are in these families. 501 00:19:23,329 --> 00:19:26,398 And so if white parents adopt black children 502 00:19:26,432 --> 00:19:29,935 and they don't make very conscious decisions 503 00:19:29,969 --> 00:19:34,607 about incorporating, including, immersing, 504 00:19:34,640 --> 00:19:37,910 valuing, just valuing blackness, 505 00:19:37,943 --> 00:19:40,546 -Right, right. -then it's deeply problematic, right? 506 00:19:40,579 --> 00:19:43,716 It's not just one doll, it's not just one poster, 507 00:19:43,749 --> 00:19:47,686 it's not just one, um, you know, uh, mentor. 508 00:19:47,720 --> 00:19:50,923 It's really an immersion process that has to happen, 509 00:19:50,956 --> 00:19:52,658 um, and that doesn't happen. 510 00:19:52,691 --> 00:19:56,829 Um, and so should white parents adopt black children? 511 00:19:56,862 --> 00:20:00,032 If they are prepared to raise black children 512 00:20:00,065 --> 00:20:03,369 into black adults, then yes. 513 00:20:03,402 --> 00:20:05,137 That's-that's... It seems simple, 514 00:20:05,171 --> 00:20:07,339 and yet it's one of the most complicated things to do, 515 00:20:07,373 --> 00:20:09,275 especially in a country where race 516 00:20:09,308 --> 00:20:11,644 is as fraught as it is in America. 517 00:20:11,677 --> 00:20:13,646 Because you talk about, in the book, 518 00:20:13,679 --> 00:20:16,115 about how your parents didn't even know how to do your hair. 519 00:20:16,148 --> 00:20:17,683 Something that seems innocuous. 520 00:20:17,716 --> 00:20:19,318 You never think of having to know 521 00:20:19,351 --> 00:20:21,353 how to do your child's hair, because it's just hair, 522 00:20:21,387 --> 00:20:24,190 and yet it is so much more than just being hair. 523 00:20:24,223 --> 00:20:26,158 There are parents out there who may say: 524 00:20:26,192 --> 00:20:29,862 Look, I don't want my child to be brought up black. 525 00:20:29,895 --> 00:20:32,064 Why can't they be just raised as a Johnson? 526 00:20:32,097 --> 00:20:34,533 It doesn't have to be about black or white, Rebecca. 527 00:20:34,567 --> 00:20:37,102 Why can't they just be raised as a family member? 528 00:20:37,136 --> 00:20:38,971 Why do I have to remind them of their blackness? 529 00:20:39,004 --> 00:20:40,873 Why do we have to exclude them from the family? 530 00:20:40,906 --> 00:20:42,408 What do you think they're missing 531 00:20:42,441 --> 00:20:44,410 when they say these things? 532 00:20:44,443 --> 00:20:47,246 The idea of just being a Johnson... (laughs) 533 00:20:47,279 --> 00:20:51,817 is in keeping with this notion of race-lessness, 534 00:20:51,851 --> 00:20:53,552 or color-blind, 535 00:20:53,586 --> 00:20:55,621 or post-racial, 536 00:20:55,654 --> 00:20:58,357 which is basically, the message is: 537 00:20:58,390 --> 00:21:02,761 I will value you only if I strip you of something 538 00:21:02,795 --> 00:21:04,730 that is so critically important to you. 539 00:21:04,763 --> 00:21:08,901 Right? Like, I want you to see that I am black. 540 00:21:08,934 --> 00:21:10,836 That's important to me. 541 00:21:10,870 --> 00:21:14,540 I don't need you to bring it up in every conversation, you know? 542 00:21:14,573 --> 00:21:16,575 -(laughs) -That's... but that's the thing, right, 543 00:21:16,609 --> 00:21:18,544 is that so many white people think: 544 00:21:18,577 --> 00:21:22,181 Well, if I'm recognizing your blackness, I'm "othering" you. 545 00:21:22,214 --> 00:21:24,383 No, if you're recognizing my blackness, 546 00:21:24,416 --> 00:21:27,553 you're recognizing what a phenomenal legacy 547 00:21:27,586 --> 00:21:30,222 and culture and people that I come from. 548 00:21:30,256 --> 00:21:33,359 You kept your journals. You know, you kept your letters. 549 00:21:33,392 --> 00:21:36,896 You kept your memories as they were at the time. 550 00:21:36,929 --> 00:21:39,498 It really makes the stories come alive, 551 00:21:39,532 --> 00:21:41,767 and makes some of them even more painful, you know? 552 00:21:41,801 --> 00:21:46,705 I would love to know how you deal with the paradox, at times, 553 00:21:46,739 --> 00:21:49,875 of talking about racism or talking about the ignorance 554 00:21:49,909 --> 00:21:51,577 that some white people will have 555 00:21:51,610 --> 00:21:53,546 with regards to dealing with race, 556 00:21:53,579 --> 00:21:56,482 but then still explain to people that you have white family 557 00:21:56,515 --> 00:21:58,617 who you love and who loved you 558 00:21:58,651 --> 00:22:00,653 and who you work with, et cetera. 559 00:22:00,686 --> 00:22:03,255 Like, how do you deal with explaining that paradox 560 00:22:03,289 --> 00:22:04,890 to other people? 561 00:22:04,924 --> 00:22:06,892 That's a really good question 562 00:22:06,926 --> 00:22:08,761 in that... 563 00:22:08,794 --> 00:22:10,462 especially with the book coming out 564 00:22:10,496 --> 00:22:12,832 and managing, sort of, the fallout, 565 00:22:12,865 --> 00:22:14,366 for lack of a better term, 566 00:22:14,400 --> 00:22:17,703 of how my white family has received the book, 567 00:22:17,736 --> 00:22:20,739 and, you know, sort of foolishly, maybe, 568 00:22:20,773 --> 00:22:23,742 I thought writing this book would be, in some ways, 569 00:22:23,776 --> 00:22:26,045 a kind of offering, a kind of gift for them 570 00:22:26,078 --> 00:22:30,316 to kind of understand, um, what my experience was like. 571 00:22:30,349 --> 00:22:32,751 Uh, but I think that they have felt 572 00:22:32,785 --> 00:22:35,955 kind of betrayed, almost, that, um... 573 00:22:35,988 --> 00:22:37,823 or-or... defensive, 574 00:22:37,857 --> 00:22:40,226 or all of the things that white people feel 575 00:22:40,259 --> 00:22:42,394 when they're sort of, like: Whoa. I don't... 576 00:22:42,428 --> 00:22:45,130 I didn't realize that I was right in the room 577 00:22:45,164 --> 00:22:47,399 -Right. -when this black person was feeling this. 578 00:22:47,433 --> 00:22:49,768 -Right. -And it just happens that that black person 579 00:22:49,802 --> 00:22:51,871 is their sister or their daughter. 580 00:22:51,904 --> 00:22:54,607 I have spent a lifetime... 581 00:22:54,640 --> 00:22:59,512 trying to, you know, be okay with, um... 582 00:22:59,545 --> 00:23:03,916 with-with the whiteness of... of my foun... of my foundation. 583 00:23:03,949 --> 00:23:06,485 Um, and that's why it was so important to me 584 00:23:06,519 --> 00:23:10,222 to meet my black birth father and to raise my son, 585 00:23:10,256 --> 00:23:13,259 who is mixed, but as a black child, as a black boy. 586 00:23:13,292 --> 00:23:15,361 He read your book, by the way, and loved it. 587 00:23:15,394 --> 00:23:17,696 -Thank you. -He's a teenager. Yeah. 588 00:23:17,730 --> 00:23:20,666 Um, and so, you know, it's not about explaining, I think. 589 00:23:20,699 --> 00:23:23,035 It's really about, um, 590 00:23:23,068 --> 00:23:25,337 just walking in the identity that I am. 591 00:23:25,371 --> 00:23:27,273 Right? So Surviving the White Gaze, 592 00:23:27,306 --> 00:23:30,376 it's about surviving, but it's also about becoming. 593 00:23:30,409 --> 00:23:32,578 So it doesn't, you know-- even in conversations 594 00:23:32,611 --> 00:23:35,114 -that I have with my... with my son, -Right, right. 595 00:23:35,147 --> 00:23:37,149 You know, it doesn't make my son any less black 596 00:23:37,183 --> 00:23:40,085 -because his dad is white. -Right. 597 00:23:40,119 --> 00:23:42,354 Well, I honestly hope that everyone reads the book. 598 00:23:42,388 --> 00:23:44,356 And I think for every different reason. 599 00:23:44,390 --> 00:23:46,892 I think for parents with their children, adopted or not. 600 00:23:46,926 --> 00:23:49,161 I think for people who are struggling with identity, 601 00:23:49,195 --> 00:23:51,096 whether they're mixed or not. 602 00:23:51,130 --> 00:23:53,165 I think it's a fantastic book, and I thank you 603 00:23:53,199 --> 00:23:55,401 for taking the time to join me today on the show. 604 00:23:55,434 --> 00:23:57,136 Trevor, thank you so much for having me. 605 00:23:57,169 --> 00:23:59,772 -I really, really appreciate it. -Thank you very much, Rebecca. 606 00:23:59,805 --> 00:24:02,741 Surviving the White Gaze is available right now. 607 00:24:02,775 --> 00:24:05,244 And be sure to check out her forthcoming audible podcast, 608 00:24:05,277 --> 00:24:07,046 Billie Was a Black Woman. 609 00:24:07,079 --> 00:24:09,915 All right, when we come back, I'll be talking to a rising star 610 00:24:09,949 --> 00:24:12,251 in the modeling world, Precious Lee. 611 00:24:12,284 --> 00:24:12,351 You don't want to miss it. 612 00:24:14,887 --> 00:24:16,755 Welcome back to The Daily Social Distancing Show. 613 00:24:16,789 --> 00:24:19,158 Earlier today, I spoke with Precious Lee, 614 00:24:19,191 --> 00:24:21,293 who's the first black curve model 615 00:24:21,327 --> 00:24:23,295 to appear in American Vogue, 616 00:24:23,329 --> 00:24:24,697 and the first to be featured 617 00:24:24,730 --> 00:24:26,932 in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. 618 00:24:26,966 --> 00:24:29,101 We talked about her journey in the fashion industry, 619 00:24:29,134 --> 00:24:33,339 and what it's like being on the new cover of British Vogue. 620 00:24:33,372 --> 00:24:34,807 Precious Lee, 621 00:24:34,840 --> 00:24:36,675 welcome to The Daily Social Distancing Show. 622 00:24:36,709 --> 00:24:39,011 Thank you for having me. 623 00:24:39,044 --> 00:24:41,647 It is an absolute pleasure to have you. 624 00:24:41,680 --> 00:24:43,415 I'm even shocked that you have the time 625 00:24:43,449 --> 00:24:46,118 to be my guest on the show, um, because you're doing everything. 626 00:24:46,151 --> 00:24:47,686 You're genuinely doing... I'm gonna read 627 00:24:47,720 --> 00:24:49,622 just some of the things that you're doing. 628 00:24:49,655 --> 00:24:53,125 Um, you-you... First African American curve model 629 00:24:53,158 --> 00:24:54,627 to appear in American Vogue. 630 00:24:54,660 --> 00:24:56,762 The first Black plus-size model to grace 631 00:24:56,795 --> 00:24:58,497 the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. 632 00:24:58,530 --> 00:25:01,000 And last January, you officially became 633 00:25:01,033 --> 00:25:02,368 the face of Versace 634 00:25:02,401 --> 00:25:05,204 alongside Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner. 635 00:25:05,237 --> 00:25:08,007 And your Instagram bio says "making history," 636 00:25:08,040 --> 00:25:10,743 which I feel like means you're the first person 637 00:25:10,776 --> 00:25:12,845 who has an Instagram bio that's actually accurate. 638 00:25:12,878 --> 00:25:14,713 -Congratulations. -(laughs) 639 00:25:14,747 --> 00:25:16,582 Thank you. That's so cute. 640 00:25:16,615 --> 00:25:19,018 Welcome to the show. How-how is life? 641 00:25:19,051 --> 00:25:20,753 What is life for you right now? 642 00:25:20,786 --> 00:25:22,521 Life is fab. 643 00:25:22,555 --> 00:25:26,358 I mean, you know, progressing forward 644 00:25:26,392 --> 00:25:30,229 with all of the craziness that's happening, it's just like, 645 00:25:30,262 --> 00:25:31,964 the emotional stress it's been 646 00:25:31,997 --> 00:25:34,166 to literally exist as being Black 647 00:25:34,199 --> 00:25:36,569 and then to have the opportunity 648 00:25:36,602 --> 00:25:40,539 and so much, like, amazing people to work with 649 00:25:40,573 --> 00:25:44,476 and, like, reaching my dreams in a pandemic, 650 00:25:44,510 --> 00:25:46,845 in the middle of this revolution, 651 00:25:46,879 --> 00:25:48,047 it's like... 652 00:25:48,080 --> 00:25:49,315 It's amazing in general, 653 00:25:49,348 --> 00:25:51,784 but this timing, it just makes it so profound. 654 00:25:51,817 --> 00:25:53,886 Like, everything is, like, amplified 655 00:25:53,919 --> 00:25:56,922 because it just means so much to me 656 00:25:56,956 --> 00:25:59,091 to be able to thrive in this setting. 657 00:25:59,124 --> 00:26:02,161 It-it almost is paradoxical because, you know, 658 00:26:02,194 --> 00:26:03,629 I-I talk to friends 659 00:26:03,662 --> 00:26:05,965 about how everybody during this time 660 00:26:05,998 --> 00:26:09,134 has a little bit of guilt if they experience any joy 661 00:26:09,168 --> 00:26:11,870 because of the collective state of despair that the world is in. 662 00:26:11,904 --> 00:26:13,572 But at the same time, I always say 663 00:26:13,606 --> 00:26:16,742 we need to see that joy so that we can remember joy. 664 00:26:16,775 --> 00:26:20,145 I mean, being a Black woman, a dark-skinned Black woman 665 00:26:20,179 --> 00:26:22,548 who's breaking barriers in the fashion industry-- 666 00:26:22,581 --> 00:26:23,983 which, for years, let's be honest, 667 00:26:24,016 --> 00:26:26,885 has been a very specific type of white-- 668 00:26:26,919 --> 00:26:29,855 is an amazing thing for so many people to see. 669 00:26:29,889 --> 00:26:31,290 You started off your career going, "You know what? 670 00:26:31,323 --> 00:26:33,359 I'm gonna be a lawyer. Let me dabble in acting." 671 00:26:33,392 --> 00:26:35,160 A lot of people laughed at you and said, 672 00:26:35,194 --> 00:26:36,362 "You're wasting your time. 673 00:26:36,395 --> 00:26:38,130 You-You're not gonna be in modeling." 674 00:26:38,163 --> 00:26:40,132 You know, "Don't dabble. Don't waste anything." 675 00:26:40,165 --> 00:26:43,235 And yet here you are today. How do you see that journey? 676 00:26:43,269 --> 00:26:45,871 I mean, it's just such a beautiful story 677 00:26:45,905 --> 00:26:47,573 that I'm grateful I can tell. 678 00:26:47,606 --> 00:26:50,743 Like, I've always wanted to, like, live out loud. 679 00:26:50,776 --> 00:26:53,545 And me wanting to become an attorney 680 00:26:53,579 --> 00:26:56,649 literally was a dream that was created from middle school 681 00:26:56,682 --> 00:26:57,917 and from the advocacy 682 00:26:57,950 --> 00:26:59,385 in representing the Native Americans 683 00:26:59,418 --> 00:27:01,987 against President Andrew Jackson in a mock trial. 684 00:27:02,021 --> 00:27:03,556 And I was like, "This is it. 685 00:27:03,589 --> 00:27:05,558 "I got to help people. Like, this is crazy. 686 00:27:05,591 --> 00:27:07,693 People are treating people like this? No." 687 00:27:07,726 --> 00:27:09,795 So, for me to, like, go from that 688 00:27:09,828 --> 00:27:13,532 to, like, really listening to my intuition, as well, 689 00:27:13,566 --> 00:27:16,669 and, like, following, like, my heart 690 00:27:16,702 --> 00:27:19,004 and not just necessarily this plan... 691 00:27:19,038 --> 00:27:20,873 And if I didn't do that, 692 00:27:20,906 --> 00:27:22,408 like, I wouldn't be sitting here, probably, 693 00:27:22,441 --> 00:27:23,542 talking to you right now. 694 00:27:23,576 --> 00:27:26,679 And I'm just so grateful that my story 695 00:27:26,712 --> 00:27:30,215 is something that I was the main writer of. 696 00:27:30,249 --> 00:27:33,452 -Right, right. -Like, I have been manifesting these things, 697 00:27:33,485 --> 00:27:35,921 and I've been working hard, and I haven't allowed anybody 698 00:27:35,955 --> 00:27:37,356 to tell me any differently. 699 00:27:37,389 --> 00:27:40,092 And even when they did, it, like, it didn't matter. 700 00:27:40,125 --> 00:27:42,828 And, so, to have that tenacity to get to this place now, 701 00:27:42,861 --> 00:27:45,831 it just makes my story just more, like... 702 00:27:45,864 --> 00:27:47,866 Me more willing to tell and share 703 00:27:47,900 --> 00:27:49,535 because it's not just my journey. 704 00:27:49,568 --> 00:27:52,605 It's a journey that could literally, like, empower someone 705 00:27:52,638 --> 00:27:54,907 to do something that they're more than capable of doing 706 00:27:54,940 --> 00:27:56,809 that they wouldn't have done before. 707 00:27:56,842 --> 00:27:59,211 You-you do that every single time 708 00:27:59,245 --> 00:28:00,779 you take a picture. 709 00:28:00,813 --> 00:28:03,349 Every single time you are put onto a magazine cover. 710 00:28:03,382 --> 00:28:05,784 Because whether we like to admit it or not, as society, 711 00:28:05,818 --> 00:28:08,621 we are shaped by the things that we are seeing. 712 00:28:08,654 --> 00:28:10,256 Right? Whether it's on-screen, 713 00:28:10,289 --> 00:28:12,391 whether it's on a magazine, whether it's in a film, 714 00:28:12,424 --> 00:28:15,261 those are the things that give us an idea of what the world is. 715 00:28:15,294 --> 00:28:18,998 And now you are part of the shaping of that world. 716 00:28:19,031 --> 00:28:20,799 Did you ever take a moment 717 00:28:20,833 --> 00:28:22,635 to think about how impactful that would be? 718 00:28:22,668 --> 00:28:24,069 Or did it hit you out of nowhere? 719 00:28:24,103 --> 00:28:26,872 Well, the advocacy portion of law 720 00:28:26,906 --> 00:28:29,575 was what, like, connected me with that. 721 00:28:29,608 --> 00:28:31,343 -Of course, right. -And once I learned that there was 722 00:28:31,377 --> 00:28:34,680 a larger platform, even, um, for advocacy in fashion 723 00:28:34,713 --> 00:28:38,484 and I could do something that I genuinely love doing... 724 00:28:38,517 --> 00:28:40,686 Um, like, I found out 725 00:28:40,719 --> 00:28:42,922 who Steven Meisel was by... 726 00:28:42,955 --> 00:28:46,659 There was a mood board generator that they used to have, 727 00:28:46,692 --> 00:28:49,628 um, that you could, like, make your mood boards 728 00:28:49,662 --> 00:28:52,097 and create the photographers, the stylists. 729 00:28:52,131 --> 00:28:54,400 And so many of the pictures I loved so much, 730 00:28:54,433 --> 00:28:57,736 I realized eventually they were all from the same photographer, 731 00:28:57,770 --> 00:28:59,138 and it was Steven Meisel. 732 00:28:59,171 --> 00:29:00,806 And that was when I locked in, 733 00:29:00,839 --> 00:29:02,575 and I was like, "This is the man." 734 00:29:02,608 --> 00:29:06,145 Because it was just something that brought... 735 00:29:06,178 --> 00:29:09,048 It integrated my creative instinct 736 00:29:09,081 --> 00:29:11,183 as well as my sense, innate sense 737 00:29:11,216 --> 00:29:12,818 of advocacy and leadership. 738 00:29:12,851 --> 00:29:14,653 -NOAH: Right, right, right. -LEE: Like, being able to, like, 739 00:29:14,687 --> 00:29:16,822 walk down a runway and it not just be 740 00:29:16,855 --> 00:29:19,225 just completely about the garment. 741 00:29:19,258 --> 00:29:21,594 It's about the moment. It's about what it's creating 742 00:29:21,627 --> 00:29:23,963 and, like, creating space by, like... 743 00:29:23,996 --> 00:29:26,065 You know, doing the things that I love 744 00:29:26,098 --> 00:29:28,534 is what made me stay. 745 00:29:28,567 --> 00:29:29,935 So, I have a agree in mass media arts 746 00:29:29,969 --> 00:29:31,470 from Clark Atlanta University. 747 00:29:31,503 --> 00:29:33,606 I got to sign to a big agency in New York, 748 00:29:33,639 --> 00:29:36,141 and I said, "You know what? This is not like me, 749 00:29:36,175 --> 00:29:37,910 "but I'm going to give it one year. 750 00:29:37,943 --> 00:29:40,212 And if it's not epic, I'm going to go to law school." 751 00:29:40,246 --> 00:29:42,681 And that was a little bit ago. 752 00:29:42,715 --> 00:29:44,183 A little couple years ago. 753 00:29:44,216 --> 00:29:47,586 (laughs) And, so, you know, for me to be able to, like, 754 00:29:47,620 --> 00:29:50,656 find new ways of connecting to my career 755 00:29:50,689 --> 00:29:53,926 and new ways connecting to fashion, to media, 756 00:29:53,959 --> 00:29:56,095 and-and wanting to transform imagery 757 00:29:56,128 --> 00:29:58,964 is not just something on a superficial level for me. 758 00:29:58,998 --> 00:30:01,867 Psychologically, the children that are watching 759 00:30:01,901 --> 00:30:03,936 and ingesting the things that we're putting out, 760 00:30:03,969 --> 00:30:07,506 like, to be able to be a part of expanding 761 00:30:07,539 --> 00:30:11,443 the mentality, um, and the perception of beauty 762 00:30:11,477 --> 00:30:15,114 for so many young kids and just people in general... 763 00:30:15,147 --> 00:30:17,650 And, like, men. Like, I've had men to come up to me 764 00:30:17,683 --> 00:30:19,752 on the street, and, like, people just come up and say like, 765 00:30:19,785 --> 00:30:22,488 "Thank you for, you know, doing this 766 00:30:22,521 --> 00:30:23,889 because my little sister loves you." 767 00:30:23,923 --> 00:30:25,324 -Or, "My daughter loves you." -Wow. 768 00:30:25,357 --> 00:30:27,726 And, for me, those things are 769 00:30:27,760 --> 00:30:31,463 why I've connected myself to this industry and continued 770 00:30:31,497 --> 00:30:34,366 and didn't listen to all of those wack haters 771 00:30:34,400 --> 00:30:37,136 telling me anything else that I already knew was ridiculous. 772 00:30:37,169 --> 00:30:40,172 Well, now the wack haters get to see you 773 00:30:40,205 --> 00:30:41,807 on the cover of British Vogue 774 00:30:41,840 --> 00:30:44,577 and hopefully on every other major publication 775 00:30:44,610 --> 00:30:45,945 that comes out. 776 00:30:45,978 --> 00:30:48,180 Presh, thank you so much for joining me on the show. 777 00:30:48,213 --> 00:30:50,282 I hope to see you again when we get 778 00:30:50,316 --> 00:30:51,750 the next cover and the next one 779 00:30:51,784 --> 00:30:53,185 -and the next one after that. -Yes. 780 00:30:53,218 --> 00:30:55,588 -Bye, Trevor. -Take care. Bye. 781 00:30:55,621 --> 00:30:57,690 Don't forget, the April issue of British Vogue 782 00:30:57,723 --> 00:30:59,358 is on newsstands right now. 783 00:30:59,391 --> 00:31:00,793 All right, we're gonna take a quick break, 784 00:31:00,826 --> 00:31:00,893 but we'll be right back after this. 785 00:31:04,529 --> 00:31:06,130 Well, that's our show for tonight. But before we go, 786 00:31:06,164 --> 00:31:07,565 it is Women's History Month, 787 00:31:07,599 --> 00:31:10,568 so please consider supporting Black Girls Code. 788 00:31:10,602 --> 00:31:11,836 They're an organization 789 00:31:11,870 --> 00:31:13,771 dedicated to leveling the playing field 790 00:31:13,805 --> 00:31:15,607 for girls of color in STEM. 791 00:31:15,640 --> 00:31:17,609 Now, by supporting Black Girls Code, 792 00:31:17,642 --> 00:31:19,444 you're helping empower young girls 793 00:31:19,477 --> 00:31:21,980 to use technology to change their lives 794 00:31:22,013 --> 00:31:24,782 and all of our lives for the better. 795 00:31:24,816 --> 00:31:26,918 If you can help out, go to the link below, 796 00:31:26,951 --> 00:31:29,053 and please donate whatever you can. 797 00:31:29,087 --> 00:31:31,322 Until tomorrow, stay safe out there, 798 00:31:31,356 --> 00:31:33,558 wear a mask, and remember: 799 00:31:33,591 --> 00:31:36,594 if your Tinder date's background comes up clean, 800 00:31:36,628 --> 00:31:38,496 they're either an upstanding citizen 801 00:31:38,530 --> 00:31:41,966 or a criminal mastermind who's too good to get caught. 802 00:31:42,000 --> 00:31:43,835 Either way, swipe left. 803 00:31:43,868 --> 00:31:46,838 Now here it is, Your Moment of Zen. 804 00:31:46,871 --> 00:31:49,741 MAN: In a dimension between left and right, 805 00:31:49,774 --> 00:31:52,310 between space lasers and birtherism 806 00:31:52,343 --> 00:31:55,246 lies a dimension of the imagination. 807 00:31:55,280 --> 00:31:57,448 It's an area we call 808 00:31:57,482 --> 00:31:59,717 The Marjorie Zone. 809 00:31:59,751 --> 00:32:01,553 KELLY: Don't mess with Marjorie Taylor Greene 810 00:32:01,586 --> 00:32:04,255 on the House of... U.S. House of Representatives 811 00:32:04,289 --> 00:32:06,558 or in the gym. Take a look at this. 812 00:32:06,591 --> 00:32:08,526 I've not seen these kinds of pull-ups 813 00:32:08,560 --> 00:32:09,727 since the Marine Corps. 814 00:32:09,761 --> 00:32:11,663 GREENE: I'm a big fan of CrossFit 815 00:32:11,696 --> 00:32:14,832 and participant and used to own a CrossFit gym, 816 00:32:14,866 --> 00:32:16,501 -so it's something I enjoy. -Well, you want to see somebody 817 00:32:16,534 --> 00:32:19,237 do, uh, not exactly full pull-ups, 818 00:32:19,270 --> 00:32:20,838 uh, me. 819 00:32:20,872 --> 00:32:23,541 I, uh... This is just from a few minutes ago, actually. 820 00:32:23,575 --> 00:32:26,578 I-I... You think you're going down all the way, 821 00:32:26,611 --> 00:32:28,546 -but you really don't go down all the way. -(laughs) 822 00:32:28,580 --> 00:32:30,882 Hey, there's some kipping. I love it. 823 00:32:30,915 --> 00:32:30,982 ? ?