Original subtitles

[cheering]

[cheering]

[cheering] >> WHAT'S [screaming] UP? I'M LESLIE Jones

>> WHAT'S [screaming] UP? I'M LESLIE Jones

>> WHAT'S [screaming] UP? I'M LESLIE Jones and I'm here to TALK ABOUT RACISM. STOP.

and I'm here to TALK ABOUT RACISM. STOP.

and I'm here to TALK ABOUT RACISM. STOP. DON'T YOU CLICK AWAY. PUT THAT DAMN

DON'T YOU CLICK AWAY. PUT THAT DAMN

DON'T YOU CLICK AWAY. PUT THAT DAMN REMOTE DOWN.

REMOTE DOWN.

REMOTE DOWN. BECAUSE THE WHITE wing media, I mean the

BECAUSE THE WHITE wing media, I mean the

BECAUSE THE WHITE wing media, I mean the right wing media

right wing media

right wing media IS DOING ITS DAMNDEST TO GASLIGHT us

IS DOING ITS DAMNDEST TO GASLIGHT us

IS DOING ITS DAMNDEST TO GASLIGHT us into thinking racism is not a problem

into thinking racism is not a problem

into thinking racism is not a problem anymore.

anymore.

anymore. >> There's no more division. There's no

>> There's no more division. There's no

>> There's no more division. There's no more bigotry. There's no more racism.

more bigotry. There's no more racism.

more bigotry. There's no more racism. >> These propagated groups that talk about

>> These propagated groups that talk about

>> These propagated groups that talk about racism as if it was still a problem.

racism as if it was still a problem.

racism as if it was still a problem. We've moved past this. Stop trying to

We've moved past this. Stop trying to

We've moved past this. Stop trying to put us back into a racist society.

put us back into a racist society.

put us back into a racist society. >> America is not racist. America is the

>> America is not racist. America is the

>> America is not racist. America is the least racist country in the world.

least racist country in the world.

least racist country in the world. >> Racism is fake. It doesn't exist.

>> Racism is fake. It doesn't exist.

>> Racism is fake. It doesn't exist. >> I think you're a little confused.

>> I think you're a little confused.

>> I think you're a little confused. Harry Potter is the thing that is fake

Harry Potter is the thing that is fake

Harry Potter is the thing that is fake and doesn't exist.

and doesn't exist.

and doesn't exist. Racism is the reason there's only one

Racism is the reason there's only one

Racism is the reason there's only one black kid AT HOGWARTS.

CONSERVATIVES THINK if they ignore

CONSERVATIVES THINK if they ignore

CONSERVATIVES THINK if they ignore racism, it'll go away like those gay

racism, it'll go away like those gay

racism, it'll go away like those gay thoughts THEY'D BE HAVING.

thoughts THEY'D BE HAVING.

thoughts THEY'D BE HAVING. >> [cheering]

>> [cheering]

>> [cheering] >> DOESN'T WORK LIKE THAT.

>> DOESN'T WORK LIKE THAT.

>> DOESN'T WORK LIKE THAT. And these people who say racism doesn't

And these people who say racism doesn't

And these people who say racism doesn't exist, what's the other thing they

exist, what's the other thing they

exist, what's the other thing they always say?

always say?

always say? >> I don't see color.

>> I don't see color.

>> I don't see color. >> I don't see color and that's what we're

>> I don't see color and that's what we're

>> I don't see color and that's what we're supposed to do.

supposed to do.

supposed to do. >> White people

>> White people

>> White people are the only people who do not see

are the only people who do not see

are the only people who do not see color.

color.

color. >> We don't see color. Whatever happened to

>> We don't see color. Whatever happened to

>> We don't see color. Whatever happened to a color blind society?

a color blind society?

a color blind society? >> I don't see race color.

>> I don't see race color.

>> I don't see race color. >> Okay, hold on. Hold on.

>> Okay, hold on. Hold on.

>> Okay, hold on. Hold on. If you don't see color, how am I

If you don't see color, how am I

If you don't see color, how am I supposed to pick up foundation when I go

supposed to pick up foundation when I go

supposed to pick up foundation when I go to Sephora?

to Sephora?

to Sephora? >> [cheering]

>> [cheering]

>> [cheering] >> Do you just point to the bottles and

>> Do you just point to the bottles and

>> Do you just point to the bottles and say, "Good luck, nigger."?

I hate when people say they don't see

I hate when people say they don't see

I hate when people say they don't see color. Not only do people see color,

color. Not only do people see color,

color. Not only do people see color, they hear color. THAT'S WHY WHEN I CALL

they hear color. THAT'S WHY WHEN I CALL

they hear color. THAT'S WHY WHEN I CALL MY BANK, I GO, "HI.

My name is Leslie. I'm calling about my

My name is Leslie. I'm calling about my

My name is Leslie. I'm calling about my account.

account.

account. >> [cheering]

>> And by the way, all these people who say

>> And by the way, all these people who say

>> And by the way, all these people who say they never see color, guess when they

they never see color, guess when they

they never see color, guess when they can suddenly see color.

can suddenly see color.

can suddenly see color. >> The play Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson is

>> The play Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson is

>> The play Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson is played by an African-American. I mean,

played by an African-American. I mean,

played by an African-American. I mean, everything is reversed.

everything is reversed.

everything is reversed. >> I want you to hear this loud and clear.

>> I want you to hear this loud and clear.

>> I want you to hear this loud and clear. Santa Claus is not black.

Santa Claus is not black.

Santa Claus is not black. >> Helen of Troy is not a black woman. And

>> Helen of Troy is not a black woman. And

>> Helen of Troy is not a black woman. And you pick like a real like the blackest

you pick like a real like the blackest

you pick like a real like the blackest black woman you ever saw.

>> YOU CAN SEE COLORS AGAIN.

>> [applause]

>> [applause]

>> [applause] [cheering]

[cheering]

[cheering] >> IT'S A MIRACLE.

>> [applause]

>> [applause]

>> [applause] >> IT'S A MIRACLE. OH, happy day.

>> [applause]

>> [applause]

>> [applause] >> BUT HEY, MAYBE I'M TOO SENSITIVE. WHY

>> BUT HEY, MAYBE I'M TOO SENSITIVE. WHY

>> BUT HEY, MAYBE I'M TOO SENSITIVE. WHY NOT listen Why listen to me, an actual

NOT listen Why listen to me, an actual

NOT listen Why listen to me, an actual black person, when you can listen to a

black person, when you can listen to a

black person, when you can listen to a white person who's friends with a black

white person who's friends with a black

white person who's friends with a black person?

person?

person? >> My oldest son went to middle school in

>> My oldest son went to middle school in

>> My oldest son went to middle school in Harlem. Many, many of our friends are

Harlem. Many, many of our friends are

Harlem. Many, many of our friends are black and brown.

black and brown.

black and brown. >> We have dear black friends.

>> We have dear black friends.

>> We have dear black friends. >> Some of my best friends are

>> Some of my best friends are

>> Some of my best friends are African-American.

African-American.

African-American. >> In fact, some of my best friends are

>> In fact, some of my best friends are

>> In fact, some of my best friends are black women.

black women.

black women. >> I have so many African-American friends.

>> I have so many African-American friends.

>> I have so many African-American friends. >> DO YOU HAVE SO MANY AFRICAN-AMERICAN

>> DO YOU HAVE SO MANY AFRICAN-AMERICAN

>> DO YOU HAVE SO MANY AFRICAN-AMERICAN FRIENDS? WHY DO I NEVER SEE THESE BLACK

FRIENDS? WHY DO I NEVER SEE THESE BLACK

FRIENDS? WHY DO I NEVER SEE THESE BLACK FRIENDS?

FRIENDS?

FRIENDS? SHOW ME PROOF OF LIFE.

SHOW ME PROOF OF LIFE.

SHOW ME PROOF OF LIFE. WHITE PEOPLE WILL ALWAYS TELL YOU THEY

WHITE PEOPLE WILL ALWAYS TELL YOU THEY

WHITE PEOPLE WILL ALWAYS TELL YOU THEY HAVE BLACK FRIENDS, AND THEN you meet

HAVE BLACK FRIENDS, AND THEN you meet

HAVE BLACK FRIENDS, AND THEN you meet the one black friend, AND IT'S JACK

the one black friend, AND IT'S JACK

the one black friend, AND IT'S JACK HARLOW.

>> [cheering]

>> [cheering]

>> [cheering] >> EW.

>> EW.

>> EW. EVERY white racist likes to brag about

EVERY white racist likes to brag about

EVERY white racist likes to brag about their black friends, and I mean

their black friends, and I mean

their black friends, and I mean everyone.

everyone.

everyone. >> Do you hate black people?

>> Do you hate black people?

>> Do you hate black people? >> No, I have friends that are black.

>> No, I have friends that are black.

>> No, I have friends that are black. >> But you're an Imperial Wizard of a Ku

>> But you're an Imperial Wizard of a Ku

>> But you're an Imperial Wizard of a Ku Klux Klan group.

>> Well, I mean, he didn't say he was a

>> Well, I mean, he didn't say he was a

>> Well, I mean, he didn't say he was a good friend.

>> Listen, I never thought I'd say this,

>> Listen, I never thought I'd say this,

>> Listen, I never thought I'd say this, but

but

but Ku Klux Klan,

Ku Klux Klan,

Ku Klux Klan, you did a shitty job of hiring your

you did a shitty job of hiring your

you did a shitty job of hiring your grand wizard.

grand wizard.

grand wizard. >> [laughter]

>> [laughter]

>> [laughter] >> DO YOU HAVE A BLACK FRIEND SHOULD HAVE

>> DO YOU HAVE A BLACK FRIEND SHOULD HAVE

>> DO YOU HAVE A BLACK FRIEND SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE FIRST QUESTION

BEEN THE FIRST QUESTION

BEEN THE FIRST QUESTION AT THE JOB INTERVIEW.

AT THE JOB INTERVIEW.

AT THE JOB INTERVIEW. >> [applause and cheering]

[applause]

[applause]

[applause] >> I MEAN, IF YOU ASK THEM, "Where do you

>> I MEAN, IF YOU ASK THEM, "Where do you

>> I MEAN, IF YOU ASK THEM, "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?" and they say,

see yourself in 5 years?" and they say,

see yourself in 5 years?" and they say, "Probably on vacation with MY BEST

"Probably on vacation with MY BEST

"Probably on vacation with MY BEST FRIEND JAMAL."

THAT PERSON ISN'T A GOOD FIT FOR THE KU

THAT PERSON ISN'T A GOOD FIT FOR THE KU

THAT PERSON ISN'T A GOOD FIT FOR THE KU KLUX KLAN.

KLUX KLAN.

KLUX KLAN. BUT EVEN IF THESE black friends are

BUT EVEN IF THESE black friends are

BUT EVEN IF THESE black friends are real, that don't mean [\h__\h] BECAUSE

real, that don't mean [\h__\h] BECAUSE

real, that don't mean [\h__\h] BECAUSE WHITE PEOPLE DON'T ALWAYS TREAT THEIR

WHITE PEOPLE DON'T ALWAYS TREAT THEIR

WHITE PEOPLE DON'T ALWAYS TREAT THEIR BLACK friends the way they treat their

BLACK friends the way they treat their

BLACK friends the way they treat their white friends.

white friends.

white friends. >> When you are the only black friend out

>> When you are the only black friend out

>> When you are the only black friend out of the friend group, you almost always

of the friend group, you almost always

of the friend group, you almost always are going to be the one. When the police

are going to be the one. When the police

are going to be the one. When the police come, you the one going to catch the

come, you the one going to catch the

come, you the one going to catch the charge.

charge.

charge. >> There's usually a white person that's

>> There's usually a white person that's

>> There's usually a white person that's going to come up and start saying some

going to come up and start saying some

going to come up and start saying some dumb [\h__\h] And if I respond back to

dumb [\h__\h] And if I respond back to

dumb [\h__\h] And if I respond back to them, the other white people in here

them, the other white people in here

them, the other white people in here will try to work together to keep me in

will try to work together to keep me in

will try to work together to keep me in check.

check.

check. >> One of my old friends, their friend had

>> One of my old friends, their friend had

>> One of my old friends, their friend had called me the N-word. And my old friend

called me the N-word. And my old friend

called me the N-word. And my old friend just kept telling me after that, "Oh, he

just kept telling me after that, "Oh, he

just kept telling me after that, "Oh, he didn't mean it in that way. He meant it

didn't mean it in that way. He meant it

didn't mean it in that way. He meant it as A JOKE."

as A JOKE."

as A JOKE." >> OH.

IT'S A JOKE.

IT'S A JOKE.

IT'S A JOKE. YOU THINK CALLING SOMEONE A [\h__\h] IS A

YOU THINK CALLING SOMEONE A [\h__\h] IS A

YOU THINK CALLING SOMEONE A [\h__\h] IS A JOKE?

JOKE?

JOKE? THEN YOU'RE GOING TO LOVE this next joke

THEN YOU'RE GOING TO LOVE this next joke

THEN YOU'RE GOING TO LOVE this next joke where I hit you WITH MY CAR.

where I hit you WITH MY CAR.

where I hit you WITH MY CAR. >> [cheering]

[applause]

>> THE THING ABOUT THESE JOKES IS that

>> THE THING ABOUT THESE JOKES IS that

>> THE THING ABOUT THESE JOKES IS that white people only say them when they're

white people only say them when they're

white people only say them when they're surrounded by other white people or

surrounded by other white people or

surrounded by other white people or roasting Kevin Hart.

BEING FRIENDS WITH BLACK

BEING FRIENDS WITH BLACK

BEING FRIENDS WITH BLACK means looking out for us, sticking up

means looking out for us, sticking up

means looking out for us, sticking up for us, understanding us. You have to

for us, understanding us. You have to

for us, understanding us. You have to put in the work. I PUT IN THE WORK FOR

put in the work. I PUT IN THE WORK FOR

put in the work. I PUT IN THE WORK FOR MY WHITE FRIENDS. DO YOU THINK I knew

MY WHITE FRIENDS. DO YOU THINK I knew

MY WHITE FRIENDS. DO YOU THINK I knew how to pronounce Chapelle Roan?

No.

No.

No. But I learned and I practiced and then I

But I learned and I practiced and then I

But I learned and I practiced and then I decided she's pronouncing it wrong.

And look, white friends,

And look, white friends,

And look, white friends, please.

please.

please. I don't want you to get the wrong idea.

I don't want you to get the wrong idea.

I don't want you to get the wrong idea. I treasure our friendships. I love how

I treasure our friendships. I love how

I treasure our friendships. I love how happy you get when someone puts on Sweet

happy you get when someone puts on Sweet

happy you get when someone puts on Sweet Caroline.

Caroline.

Caroline. Sweet Caroline.

YOUR SMILE MAKES ME SMILE.

YOUR SMILE MAKES ME SMILE.

YOUR SMILE MAKES ME SMILE. AND AND YOU'RE THE ONLY REASON I KNOW

AND AND YOU'RE THE ONLY REASON I KNOW

AND AND YOU'RE THE ONLY REASON I KNOW WHERE ASPEN IS.

WHERE ASPEN IS.

WHERE ASPEN IS. It was in AMERICA THE WHOLE TIME.

It was in AMERICA THE WHOLE TIME.

It was in AMERICA THE WHOLE TIME. BUT IT'S NOT THE SAME. SEEING ANOTHER

BUT IT'S NOT THE SAME. SEEING ANOTHER

BUT IT'S NOT THE SAME. SEEING ANOTHER BLACK PERSON in the room is like when

BLACK PERSON in the room is like when

BLACK PERSON in the room is like when you find an M&M in the trail mix.

you find an M&M in the trail mix.

you find an M&M in the trail mix. Thank god you saved me from all those

Thank god you saved me from all those

Thank god you saved me from all those nuts and raisins.

>> [applause]

>> [applause]

>> [applause] >> Like if I go out and I see no black

>> Like if I go out and I see no black

>> Like if I go out and I see no black people, I'm on high alert. If I see two

people, I'm on high alert. If I see two

people, I'm on high alert. If I see two or three black people, I'm comfortable.

or three black people, I'm comfortable.

or three black people, I'm comfortable. If I see four or five BLACK PEOPLE, HEY,

If I see four or five BLACK PEOPLE, HEY,

If I see four or five BLACK PEOPLE, HEY, NOW IT'S A PARTY. BUT IF I SEE SIX OR

NOW IT'S A PARTY. BUT IF I SEE SIX OR

NOW IT'S A PARTY. BUT IF I SEE SIX OR 12, I'M leaving cuz that's entirely TOO

12, I'M leaving cuz that's entirely TOO

12, I'M leaving cuz that's entirely TOO MANY [\h__\h]

MANY [\h__\h]

MANY [\h__\h] >> [cheering]

>> [cheering]

>> [cheering] [applause]

[applause]

[applause] >> IF YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW.

>> IF YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW.

>> IF YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW. LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN. I'm a comic and

LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN. I'm a comic and

LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN. I'm a comic and I'm having fun. But the point that I'm

I'm having fun. But the point that I'm

I'm having fun. But the point that I'm trying to make is that there's power in

trying to make is that there's power in

trying to make is that there's power in community. And I can't think of any

community. And I can't think of any

community. And I can't think of any better power, better proof of that than

better power, better proof of that than

better power, better proof of that than the greatest day

the greatest day

the greatest day in American black history.

in American black history.

in American black history. >> Captured on video, a violent brawl in

>> Captured on video, a violent brawl in

>> Captured on video, a violent brawl in Alabama that appeared to involve a group

Alabama that appeared to involve a group

Alabama that appeared to involve a group of white boaters attacking a black dock

of white boaters attacking a black dock

of white boaters attacking a black dock worker.

worker.

worker. >> After the initial altercation, members

>> After the initial altercation, members

>> After the initial altercation, members of the crew and community jumping in to

of the crew and community jumping in to

of the crew and community jumping in to defend the riverboat's co-captain. As

defend the riverboat's co-captain. As

defend the riverboat's co-captain. As you can see from this new footage, a man

you can see from this new footage, a man

you can see from this new footage, a man even swinging A FOLDING CHAIR.

>> LET ME TELL Y'ALL SOMETHING. WHEN A

>> LET ME TELL Y'ALL SOMETHING. WHEN A

>> LET ME TELL Y'ALL SOMETHING. WHEN A BLACK PERSON'S THERAPIST tell them to

BLACK PERSON'S THERAPIST tell them to

BLACK PERSON'S THERAPIST tell them to close their eyes and imagine something

close their eyes and imagine something

close their eyes and imagine something that brings them joy,

that brings them joy,

that brings them joy, that's what's playing in their head.

that's what's playing in their head.

that's what's playing in their head. >> [laughter]

>> [laughter]

>> [laughter] >> White people, that's how you That's how

>> White people, that's how you That's how

>> White people, that's how you That's how you look out for your black friends.

you look out for your black friends.

you look out for your black friends. If your friendship doesn't involve you

If your friendship doesn't involve you

If your friendship doesn't involve you swimming across a

swimming across a

swimming across a a channel to whoop somebody's ass with

a channel to whoop somebody's ass with

a channel to whoop somebody's ass with lawn furniture,

WE DON'T WANT IT.

WE DON'T WANT IT.

WE DON'T WANT IT. >> [laughter]

>> [laughter]

>> [laughter] >> SO, WHY AM I TALKING ABOUT THIS NOW?

>> SO, WHY AM I TALKING ABOUT THIS NOW?

>> SO, WHY AM I TALKING ABOUT THIS NOW? Because 3 weeks ago, a young black man

Because 3 weeks ago, a young black man

Because 3 weeks ago, a young black man went out with his all-white friend group

went out with his all-white friend group

went out with his all-white friend group and did not return home.

and did not return home.

and did not return home. >> Questions are growing over how a black

>> Questions are growing over how a black

>> Questions are growing over how a black Mississippi teen died after he went on a

Mississippi teen died after he went on a

Mississippi teen died after he went on a boating trip with a group of friends who

boating trip with a group of friends who

boating trip with a group of friends who were all white.

were all white.

were all white. >> Nolan Wells went to the island in a boat

>> Nolan Wells went to the island in a boat

>> Nolan Wells went to the island in a boat with friends on July 4th.

with friends on July 4th.

with friends on July 4th. >> Authorities say Wells' friends left the

>> Authorities say Wells' friends left the

>> Authorities say Wells' friends left the island and he stayed behind and was

island and he stayed behind and was

island and he stayed behind and was supposed to take a different boat back

supposed to take a different boat back

supposed to take a different boat back to the mainland Saturday, but never did.

to the mainland Saturday, but never did.

to the mainland Saturday, but never did. >> Wells' family says that does not sound

>> Wells' family says that does not sound

>> Wells' family says that does not sound like their son and that their son's

like their son and that their son's

like their son and that their son's friends have not fully cooperated.

friends have not fully cooperated.

friends have not fully cooperated. >> Do you think that race may be involved

>> Do you think that race may be involved

>> Do you think that race may be involved in what happened to your son?

in what happened to your son?

in what happened to your son? >> I don't want to believe it is, but

>> I don't want to believe it is, but

>> I don't want to believe it is, but unfortunately, there's patterns, right?

unfortunately, there's patterns, right?

unfortunately, there's patterns, right? >> Unfortunately, there's patterns. Nolan

>> Unfortunately, there's patterns. Nolan

>> Unfortunately, there's patterns. Nolan Wells' life was just getting started.

Wells' life was just getting started.

Wells' life was just getting started. And after what should have been a fun,

And after what should have been a fun,

And after what should have been a fun, carefree afternoon, it was cut

carefree afternoon, it was cut

carefree afternoon, it was cut tragically short. And while we don't yet

tragically short. And while we don't yet

tragically short. And while we don't yet understand exactly what occurred, we do

understand exactly what occurred, we do

understand exactly what occurred, we do know stuff like this happens all the

know stuff like this happens all the

know stuff like this happens all the time. And Nolan Wells, sadly,

time. And Nolan Wells, sadly,

time. And Nolan Wells, sadly, is not the only black child we've lost.

is not the only black child we've lost.

is not the only black child we've lost. When there's a lone black person

When there's a lone black person

When there's a lone black person anywhere, all these questions come up.

anywhere, all these questions come up.

anywhere, all these questions come up. Is it because white people weren't

Is it because white people weren't

Is it because white people weren't looking out for us?

looking out for us?

looking out for us? Uh do they think it's a joke?

Uh do they think it's a joke?

Uh do they think it's a joke? Is keeping quiet just easier than

Is keeping quiet just easier than

Is keeping quiet just easier than telling the truth?

telling the truth?

telling the truth? Y'all need to realize that,

Y'all need to realize that,

Y'all need to realize that, unlike Mitch McConnell,

unlike Mitch McConnell,

unlike Mitch McConnell, racism is still alive and well.

racism is still alive and well.

racism is still alive and well. >> [cheering]

>> And I know we can't solve every problem

>> And I know we can't solve every problem

>> And I know we can't solve every problem overnight, but what we can do today in

overnight, but what we can do today in

overnight, but what we can do today in memory of Nolan Wells and all of the

memory of Nolan Wells and all of the

memory of Nolan Wells and all of the black youth we've lost is stop indulging

black youth we've lost is stop indulging

black youth we've lost is stop indulging in your own ignorance.

in your own ignorance.

in your own ignorance. If you believe in equality, show up.

If you believe in equality, show up.

If you believe in equality, show up. If you believe black people aren't

If you believe black people aren't

If you believe black people aren't second-class citizens, then don't treat

second-class citizens, then don't treat

second-class citizens, then don't treat us like second-class friends.

us like second-class friends.

us like second-class friends. But hey,

But hey,

But hey, that's just my opinion.