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Hey! What's going on, everybody?
I'm Trevor Noah,
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and this is The Daily
Social Distancing Show.
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Today is March 16,
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which means we are smack-dab
in the middle
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of Women's History Month.
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And to celebrate,
let's once again highlight
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a random woman from history
so we can thank her.
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Let's see who we got today.
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-(ding)
-Oh!
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Today is Anne Thompson,
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the first woman
to tell her boyfriend
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that she doesn't give a shit
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that Jango Fett's origin
was retconned
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in The Mandalorian.
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God bless you, Anne Thompson.
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Anyway, on tonight's show,
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why Donald Trump
won't help you get vaccinated,
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the Catholic Church
is making it rain,
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and Tinder knows
all your secrets.
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So let's do this, people.
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Welcome to The Daily
Social Distancing Show.
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? ?
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ANNOUNCER: From Trevor's couch
in New York City
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to your couch
somewhere in the world,
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this is The Daily
Social Distancing Show
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with Trevor Noah.
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? ?
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Let's kick things off
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with some hot technology news
about Tinder,
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A.K.A. Postmates for chlamydia.
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Tinder dates
can be unpredictable.
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I mean, the only thing
you know for sure
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when you meet up
with a Tinder match
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is that they're not gonna look
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as good as they do
in their profile pic.
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But now Tinder wants
to give you a little extra peek
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behind the curtain.
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NEWSWOMAN: Tinder will soon let
users run background checks
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on possible dates.
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Match, which owns Tinder,
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announcing an investment
in Garbo.
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That's a nonprofit that aims
to let people run checks
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with only their name
and phone number.
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So this means that users
will be able to vet dates
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with details
such as their arrest record
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or history of violence.
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Background checks
will not be free,
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but Match says
that it's working on a price
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that will make it affordable
for most users.
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Yes!
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A Tinder background check, baby!
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This will help people avoid
dating criminals,
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and it'll help criminals
find other criminals
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to do crimes with.
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Aw.
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You know, if you ask me,
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it's about time
that they started this feature.
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I mean, for one thing,
it's way more efficient
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than what people have to do now
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to figure out
if they're dating a criminal.
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"So, are you into wine?
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"Like, you know,
have you ever made...
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toilet wine?"
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And if there are
any guys out there going,
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"Wait, I don't want a woman
knowing all this stuff about me
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before we even date," my man,
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trust me,
they already know way more
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than a background check
will tell them.
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Before a woman goes on a date
with you,
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she and her friends have already
scrolled through your Instagram
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and the Instagrams of everyone
tagged on your Instagram.
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So they already know
you still comment
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on photos of your prom date,
even though she has kids now.
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They know everything.
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And just to be clear,
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just because someone
has a criminal history,
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it doesn't mean that you
shouldn't date them, okay?
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I'm not saying that.
In fact,
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depending on the crime,
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it might even make them
pretty appealing.
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You know? Like, at first,
you might swipe left
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on someone who did time
for insurance fraud.
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But 900 horrible dates later,
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you're gonna come back to him
like, "You know,
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"insurance fraud is really one
of the smart felonies,
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"when you think about it.
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Let's go out for that drink."
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Honestly,
I want a background check
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that'll look for other warning
signs besides criminal history.
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You know? Like, do they kiss
with their eyes open?
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Do they send you memes three
weeks after they went viral?
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Are they obsessed
with astrology?
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Or, even worse,
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are they a Capricorn?
(shudders)
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Speaking of people who could use
a background check,
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the Catholic Church.
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As an institution,
the church has been involved
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in many shady things
over the past 2,000 years.
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You know? The Crusades,
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waterboarding babies,
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that priest who keeps walking
into a bar.
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That guy has a drinking problem.
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But now a major Catholic order
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is trying to make good
on one mistake from its history.
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As calls for reparations
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continue to grow
across the U.S.,
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Catholic priests have vowed
to raise $100 million
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to benefit descendants
of enslaved people.
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Leaders in the Catholic Church
acknowledged
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that the institution was built
on the backs of slaves,
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and they say this is a move
towards racial healing.
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It's a way of our asking
for forgiveness
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and making reparations.
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$100 million.
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That's huge.
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Do you realize how many pieces
of art from the Vatican
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they're gonna have to sell
to raise that much money?
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Like...
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one.
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Still, this is great news.
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The Catholic Church
not just recognizing
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that owning slaves was wrong
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but making reparations
to the descendants
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for exploiting their ancestors.
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And I bet
it will be a wonderful moment
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when the church presents
those descendants
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with the reparations.
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(chanting):
"This money is for owning
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your great-grandfather."
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"Uh, I thought this was
for you guys touching us
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when we were kids."
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And I don't know how they plan
to give out this money,
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but, in my opinion,
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I think
they should keep it simple.
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From now on,
every collection plate
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goes directly to a Black person,
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and, that way,
Black people can supervise
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the whole process, too.
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"Yo, yo, yo. Two dollars?
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"Man, I saw you parking
that Range Rover.
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Come on, man. Come on.
Do something."
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Moving on to news from Ireland,
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the country
that ditched the royal family
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before Oprah's interview.
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If you've always wanted
to visit the Emerald Isle
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for St. Patrick's Day,
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well, it turns out
you're not the only one.
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NEWSWOMAN: An Arctic walrus
was spotted in Ireland.
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Experts with the Marine
Conservation Society say
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this young walrus
likely fell asleep on an iceberg
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and woke up miles away.
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So scientists with
the conservation society say
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it's incredibly unusual to see
the animals so far south.
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They say he looks fit
and well-fed
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and should be able
to make the trip back home.
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Aw.
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What an adorable story
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of a walrus
that went on a bender,
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blacked out,
and is lying to its family.
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Seriously though,
seeing a walrus this far south
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is so cute.
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And the good news is that,
with climate change,
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this is gonna happen more
and more.
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We're gonna get all sorts
of Arctic animals floating down
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on melting icebergs:
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walruses, polar bears,
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Santa's corpse.
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It's gonna be so cool!
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You know,
I bet accidents like this
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are how so many
evolutionary leaps took place.
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Like,
have you ever seen a tapir?
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Have you seen that thing?
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I mean, the only reason
those things exist
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is clearly because,
at some point in history,
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an elephant drifted
into a family of skunks
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and they were all just like,
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"Okay, I guess
we're doing this."
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And despite
what everyone else feels,
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I don't feel bad
for this walrus.
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I actually feel bad
for all of his walrus friends
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in the Arctic. Yeah.
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Because when he gets back,
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they're gonna have to listen
to him going,
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"Guinness just tastes better
in Ireland.
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"You guys have to go.
Oh, my God,
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"the Guinness here is horrible.
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"Real Guinness? Oh, guys.
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(chuckles)
"You haven't lived.
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And, by the away,
it's 'Ire-land.'"
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Moving on to our main story,
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the COVID vaccine.
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It's the reason all your friends
have been dressing up
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as Mrs. Doubtfire.
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Where do things stand right now
with the vaccine rollout?
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Do you know?
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Well, let's find out
in another installment
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of Keeping Up with Corona.
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? ?
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The United States
is now administering
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00:07:10,831 --> 00:07:14,635
2.4 million vaccine doses
per day,
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which is amazing.
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In fact, it's one of the best
vaccine rollouts in the world.
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But there are still concerns
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that many Americans are hesitant
about getting the shot.
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And that's a big problem,
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especially because the country
will soon be overrun
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by the U.K. variant,
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which is infecting thousands
of Americans a day
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and taking
all their acting roles.
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So, to stop that variant
from taking hold,
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America needs to vaccinate
as many people
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as quickly as possible,
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which is why four top Americans
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are trying to convince
the rest of the country.
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NEWSMAN: Former presidents
Barack Obama, Bill Clinton,
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00:07:49,503 --> 00:07:51,538
George W. Bush,
and Jimmy Carter
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00:07:51,572 --> 00:07:53,974
have joined together to
make sure Americans understand
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00:07:54,007 --> 00:07:56,476
the importance of getting
the COVID vaccine.
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The Ad Council put out two new
public service announcements--
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you see 'em here-- featuring
all of those former presidents
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00:08:01,882 --> 00:08:03,417
and the former first ladies.
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In order to get rid
of this pandemic,
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00:08:05,352 --> 00:08:08,655
it's important for our fellow
citizens to get vaccinated.
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00:08:08,689 --> 00:08:10,390
This vaccine means hope.
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00:08:10,424 --> 00:08:13,026
It will protect you
and those you love
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from this dangerous
and deadly disease.
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CARTER: I'm getting vaccinated
because we want this pandemic
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to end as soon as possible.
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CLINTON:
I want to go back to work,
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and I want to be able
to move around.
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That's right, people.
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If we all get vaccinated,
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then Bill Clinton will be free
to do whatever he wants,
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which-- Wait.
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Is that a good thing?
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But this is really great
to see, you know?
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All these former presidents
getting together
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to help this cause.
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The truth is, though,
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people don't always like
being told what to do, you know?
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00:08:42,222 --> 00:08:44,958
Sometimes you have
to be a little more subtle,
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or do it
without them knowing entirely.
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And when you think about it,
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00:08:48,562 --> 00:08:50,931
ex-presidents should be last
in line for the vaccine,
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because, let's be honest--
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they're the least
essential workers.
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I mean,
what do ex-presidents do?
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All they do is, like, give
speeches to Goldman Sachs.
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I'm just saying,
if George Bush gets the vaccine,
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00:09:01,642 --> 00:09:04,545
I better see him
delivering my DoorDash order.
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00:09:04,578 --> 00:09:06,380
Oh, shucks,
I just spilled everything,
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00:09:06,413 --> 00:09:08,649
but I hope you give me
five stars. (laughs)
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00:09:08,682 --> 00:09:10,184
Now, you've probably noticed
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00:09:10,217 --> 00:09:12,653
that there was one president
who didn't do the PSA--
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00:09:12,686 --> 00:09:15,522
Donald Jaundice Trump.
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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
? ?