Lena Waithe - Making Urgent Art About the Black Experience with “Queen & Slim” | The Daily Show

Writer and producer Lena Waithe shares the inspiration for her film “Queen & Slim” and speaks to the complex nature of being a black person in the United States. #TheDailyShow #LenaWaithe #QueenandSlim
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[@corneliuswhite5139]

If I can humanize black people enough, maybe they'll stop killing us." I literally wept.

[@dameonaquest7607]

That hit me hard as hell

[@zack19192]

@G. S. X. Ok boomer.

[@MajorHenryL.]

Powerful statement: She failed to mention the ‘discomfort’ kids would feel if they witnessed black on black crime/murder. She needs to help humanize WITHIN her own community

[@realliving4354]

@G. S. X. Exactly... talking about he wept... that sums up the problem

[@kingcole6767]

@@MajorHenryL. I'm glad you brought that up! Because the trauma of oppression is so deep within the psychology of black and brown people, it has been adopted and perpetrated by narratives just like yours, and has become a catalyst for self hatred and futile drug and turf wars. But no more. The tide is turning. So I'm afraid your argument is not only cliché but becoming passé.

[@landonfise8321]

“To be black is beautiful, buts it’s also traumatizing” so many things she said here that I got goosebumps

[@setsabilemathunjwa9055]

This woman is phenomenal.

[@dorothymasombwe4788]

Absolutely.

[@justjen1682]

Very

[@kesh24ful]

my first time crying during an interview.. this woman spoke nothing but facts!

[@mellownisty]

Wow she’s dropping wisdom left and right

[@botanistboi3756]

More like she's dropping bullshit left and right

[@hazelhue1103]

@@botanistboi3756 Why are you under almost every comment bashing her? We get it you're self hating and a homophobe. Get a life.

[@botanistboi3756]

@@hazelhue1103 you just mad because everyone doesn't accept your point of view

[@botanistboi3756]

@@hazelhue1103 self-hating you're very funny and probably very unattractive to

[@hazelhue1103]

@@botanistboi3756 No, boo boo, that's you. Otherwise why would you still be arguing with me. 🤪 If we're talking about looks here, your attitude is probably a mirror image: hideous. Try again.

[@analiseferguson3191]

I had to pause this video to comment on the fact that they spoke to the fact that dark-skinned people are hardly every showcased, much more placed in the forefront. Thank you!

[@khwezenzimande8696]

@kinG iZZy But thats circular reasoning because she made a point to showcase it cause there is a lack of represantation of black skin.

[@PrettyBoyKii]

I absolutely love Lena Waithe. She's brilliant!

[@orel1third]

Yea she's smart

[@anotherpointofview222]

There's such a thing as black and white, its the belief in black and white People, and trying to reconcile the two that's a self perpetuating dilemma.

[@botanistboi3756]

Yeah she's brilliant at race-baiting this movie is garbage and I would never want my daughter to be anything close to what this lady is I want grandkids

[@jjw1997]

@@botanistboi3756 I agree

[@DarnellHendeason-dk3uw]

She's actually against black people

[@kerubol]

There has to be some disconnect that our black skin is so scary to people... 😢😢... to be black is beautiful but also traumatising...

[@VumomseMusicOfficial]

I think it is not scary it is naturally intimidating.

[@sdfkjgh]

I remember a line from another vid from this channel: "The scariest place a black person can be is inside the head of a white person."

[@Mimi2Y2BYAZPHIL]

@@sdfkjgh Good one!! Thanks!

[@Chadthefatherbear]

Lmaoooo

[@rosaliesteward2160]

from what I can tell it's years of relentless propaganda stirred up with guilt. Is it true that just over the border in Canada black people have a different experience?

[@BaconNMegs]

Wow this woman needs to do more public speaking at like colleges and where young people can hear this, she is so amazing

[@ShannonMeansWisdom]

“We live in a world where we are still treated like second class citizens even though we walking on land our ancestors helped build, for free.” “We should be treated like royalty in this country, but it’s the opposite“

[@botanistboi3756]

If you are treated like a second-class citizen it's because you choose to be treated that way

[@botanistboi3756]

@D W I'm a black man and I now understand the democratic deception

[@botanistboi3756]

@D W exactly makes no sense at all

[@jaysonbiggs8979]

@@botanistboi3756 Tell that to the Palestinians, Kurds, and Uighurs. I read your comments here and frankly you come across as a one sentence trolling fool.

[@botanistboi3756]

@@jaysonbiggs8979 you come across as a misinformed human I hope you take care of that

[@connercarey]

"racism is a wound we haven't healed yet." i knew this movie would be monumental when I saw the trailer, then I saw Lena's name and I was out of words to describe.

[@kuntamdc]

What movie is it?

[@gale_poot]

@@kuntamdc Queen and Slim

[@botanistboi3756]

Movie is GARBAGE!!!!!!!!

[@rmanney100]

Tariq Ziyad your existence is garbage

[@audiovisualproof5407]

"If I can humanize black people enough, maybe they'll stop killing us." - Lena Waithe I am a fan of Lena Waithe, now after hearing these words, I am truly an admirer. Never let this quote fall by the wayside. The most powerful words I've ever heard in 2019.

[@Chadthefatherbear]

lmfao

[@audiovisualproof5407]

@@Chadthefatherbear Andrew, you can FUCK, Hoff!

[@ladynay1731]

So eloquently and humanizingly put

[@anotherpointofview222]

Stop believing in dehumanizing racial constructs of color. Start deconstructing the fallacy of white as a people, and you may understand how a people's humanity has been dehumanized based on creation of a class of people absent of hue.

[@Halbedeable]

That was powerful.

[@aandrus2169]

"We didn't take any notes from white people on this one." 👍👍👍👍👍 This white woman applauds this whole concept. I can't wait to see this film!

[@mmawithsubtitles7460]

@Oliver Berner what? I'm sorry, but I think you should talk about one thing at a time. I think your mind is going a lot faster than your fingers 🙂

[@Chadthefatherbear]

lmfao

[@kuntamdc]

What film is it?

[@aliasanew3398]

Oliver Berner why u type so goddamn much.. who taking the time to read that

[@kuntamdc]

@Oliver Berner true... but have you seen black and blue?

[@Rushaikh]

"a microphone is more powerful than a grenade" - THE QUEEN HAS SPOKEN wow

[@DarnellHendeason-dk3uw]

1: So why are Black people still oppressed? 2: She's an agent of white supremacy

[@LadyPinkster]

It is. Tthis is one way to lead a nation or start a war.

[@PK-kitti]

I'm not black but so proud of you guys. God bless you, we have to come together.

[@DarnellHendeason-dk3uw]

...nope

[@VivianFlowers1]

@@DarnellHendeason-dk3uw 😲

[@DarnellHendeason-dk3uw]

@@VivianFlowers1: We need to realize what white people are, trying to appeal to their better nature is like trying to reasoning w a reptile.

[@VivianFlowers1]

@@DarnellHendeason-dk3uw you see my face all I said was😲 I felt that no. No judgement here.

[@DarnellHendeason-dk3uw]

@Royce : she's in league with them.

[@leslieannefrye-thomas6534]

“this country has a complicated past, that’s why the present is so complex” … u dropped some real gems in this 1 @lenawaithe ! our #ptsd is real #queenandslim ✊🏾🇺🇸🙏🏾✊🏾

[@pelumiosiname783]

Whao! “If I can humanize black people enough, maybe they will stop killing us.”

[@slimshady9200]

He commented this first

[@thekaiser4333]

Sad that there is still a country on this planet, where this is necessary.

[@anotherpointofview222]

How do you humanize a dehumanizing construct?

[@slimshady9200]

@@anotherpointofview222 by humanizing a dehumanizing construct duhhhh

[@anotherpointofview222]

@@slimshady9200 I'd consider that a self perpetuating losing strategy. You wouldn't try to humanize raceism the belief, and racism the actions. You deconstruct and eliminate.

[@mlggamer5296]

Wow I'm blown away. Her art is powerful and I am glad for the message she is spreading. I think black people are misunderstood alot so this was very timely and I would love to watch Queen and Slim

[@damitajo1045]

WOW!! This woman has me in tears. Beautiful,scary and honest TRUTH in what was spoken.

[@stephdrake2521]

The power of fake Hollywood .. and you failed for it .... movie was depressing and sad for black people. I need a refund. White racist folks and unconscious white folks - yes .. go see it !

[@FrugalMadre]

I love how she explains everything so clearly can't wait to see the movie

[@apriljoe444]

Seeing two dark skin bodies being romantic on screen is important to me AND the fact they are the leads is even more special ❤️💗💗......thank you Lena

[@noahsarkhive4482]

As a European every time I hear stories from African Americans all I can think is - the US really needs a law to protect human dignity as well.

[@noahsarkhive4482]

@no one like for everyone else. We're a sesspool of ethnicities and people are just people. Europe learned from its gruesome history (mostly). America somehow still didn't n it is utterly baffling

[@AlphaynVG]

@@noahsarkhive4482 As a European myself, I'm not so sure that that's true. We do have the benefit of not having the system of slavery ingrained here locally, historically speaking, but you don't have to go back far to see some very overt racism against black people (the 70's and 80's were not a fun time). It certainly isn't a *dominant* part of culture here now, but I'd be hard pressed to claim there is no institutional racism against black people considering they tend to live in poorer areas, for instance. I think another big difference is that racism here is rarely very overt in public situations (at least against black people, if you're muslim it can be very overt) which definitely makes it feel like there's less of a problem, but that might not be true to the extent that it would be comfortable to believe. Of course we do generally have the saving grace of a social safety net that makes it easier for poor people to live comfortably and give people from a poor background opportunities to develop themselves, so that does probably ameliorate the problem. That, in particular, seems like it would be horrendously difficult in the US.

[@visitequatorialguinea5024]

In EU, when the issues facing black folks are rarely discussed it's mostly from left leaning white people, but not from the minority groups themselves. You can't trully speak on the experiences of a group if you do not belong to it. You would most likely just see it from your perspective and create the idea that is most convenient for you.

[@visitequatorialguinea5024]

A few most relevant experiences: While in university in Spain, I had countless, I'm talking about countless busrides home, almost every day, where the bus would be packed full of people ( people standing: old ladies, young people etc...) and the seat next to me would be vacant but nobody would seat there (just because people felt unconfortable seating next to a black guy, I asume as everything else would be occupied). I never experienced this in the states.

[@visitequatorialguinea5024]

I'm a big fan of soccer, it's 2019 and black soccer players are still being called racial slurs by huge crowds of fans on the field, with chants and everything. That is somethin that would hardly ever happen in an NBA game for example. I could go on...

[@ZiadAlobaid]

I usually skip the interviews but this was beautiful

[@dakwanscruggs4378]

Ziad Obaid the interviews are so good

[@progressiveGal73]

Lena’s presence is so powerful. Great interview.

[@Smoochesshani_1]

So beautifully articulated.....Ms. Waithe is representing the culture well...making us proud.....I can not wait to see this film!

[@tiarasade21]

I saw this movie and let me say there were lots of comments about the love scene. I personally was engulfed. I don't ever remember seeing two Dark hued Black People on screen together in a leading role and a love scene. It was beautiful and tasteful and real. It ignited emotion in me and appreciation because representation is important. I cant wait to see this movie again-was it perfect no, but where there some perfect elements hell YES! Thank you for giving us art Lena and Melina!

[@nenadroza]

"It is open season on black bodies" 💔

[@Chadthefatherbear]

lmfao

[@tlynn5741]

@@Chadthefatherbear What's funny??? Can you explain the joke?

[@bismarkadu8799]

@@Chadthefatherbear sooner or later It will be your turn , then we will also lofao.

[@aabhahuddar]

This sentence broke me .. i heard this and 💔 .. 😢

[@PalesaMkhwemte]

😭😭😭

[@lydiawoodard9902]

I Love this Energy So Positive... Black People We Strongly Need This….

[@normankelley]

Wait. Her energy is positive, but both blacks in the film die? That is usually seen as fucked up.

[@dmoskha]

Norman Kelly seriously man???!!! Thanks for the spoiler >:(

[@dameonaquest7607]

Trevor Noah is awesome. He is promoting the hell out of this I cant wait to see it

[@jade747]

Man that comment about the black smile was so sweet... And I love that there are finally dark skinned leads

[@DarnellHendeason-dk3uw]

The movie with white supremacist propaganda cloaked in blackface.

[@titusII71]

Her statement about humanizing "black folk" was sooo 🔥🔥🔥.

[@maryhoxa2218]

she speaks wonderfully she is amazing he words should be quotes

[@myrahj1482]

I'm not a huge movie goer but Lena & Trevor, I will go see this one this weekend. Gotta support great art!🍿💕

[@kuntamdc]

Which one is it?

[@myrahj1482]

@@kuntamdc Queen & Slim... very good movie. See it!

[@kuntamdc]

@@myrahj1482 have you seen it?

[@myrahj1482]

@@kuntamdc YES, Yesterday and I recommend it. 👍🏼

[@danumuks5206]

Saw the movie yesterday and it was so on point...go support this ART and always support black own business too...there is nothing wrong with that.

[@stephdrake2521]

Wasn’t on point .. if you are white .. yes .. if you are black sad ... two innocent people who used self defense against a racist cop gruesomely killed when they already had the entire event on camera ..... white folks ... always get it wrong Dan .... sad

[@ForYourInformation2]

"A meditation on blackness" ....💜

[@lynnmac5116]

I lovd what she's doing. ❤🙏🏾💪🏾✊🏾

[@orel1third]

I also support it

[@shortmocha2005]

So interesting.... I’ve watched about 5 different interviews Lena has done for the film. Trevor’s audience was the largest audience I NEVER heard! LOL. Super interesting and thank you Trevor for letting her speak ...

[@bernicehannah1]

@shortmocha2005 Was thinking the same thing. I must’ve clapped more than a dozen times...I kept waiting for the applause, honest reactions 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@chelseamorning6219]

Lena Waithe is BRILLIANT.

[@tokumeikibou2447]

I must have been living in a box I have never heard of Lena but now I know what she is about I am obsessed and will support her work. Just beautiful!!!

[@margaretg8982]

The silence in that studio.....

[@olatundeaboaba]

There were so many powerful combinations of words in this interview. This woman is so eloquent and her words are very impactful.

[@craigmunyaka53]

beautiful articulate interview, equally beautiful movie.

[@BigWoodzCBCL]

Seen it! LOVED it!!! The movie is ground breaking!!! I'm proud of Lena and look forward to seeing more of her work!!

[@KKFilms-pq4xi]

I just watched the movie and it was complex, emphasizing, and phenomenal tbh. The fact that it feels like no one is talking about this film is a huge disservice.

[@AludraEltaninAltair]

I'm going to make a point to see Queen & Slim this week. Thank you Lena for telling nuanced stories with outstanding depth of field. And Trevor + team thank you for routinely raising up the voices of marginalized creators and thinkers. This changes the world particle by particle and I am grateful for your efforts.

[@tamaracharese]

Talk about the gorgeous lighting!!!

[@elchefreedom5063]

Touched my heart. The pain is real.

[@nicolelawrence7722]

Watched the interview, then watched the movie. The thing that I took away from the movie, is "even in the mist of oppression we find joy". I think that's core of us a black people. She captured it perfectly.

[@sonicmutos7289]

Trevor, Lena is one of OUR microphones.. thank you! Lena, Keep Up the great work! Peace and Love!

[@denicelayne9599]

I love her for this!💪🏾♥️ Thank you.

[@underthemoonandoverthesky]

Amazing interview! Thank you Lena and Melina for creating this incredible movie!👏👏👏👏👏 I love Daniel Kaluuya anyway!😍

[@mymostbeloved]

This woman is amazing 🙌🏽

[@ebbyc1817]

I often say I respect people, but I respect this woman. Can't watch the whole interview yet (damn), have to see the movie first. Already know too much about it.

[@hlz9752]

Man LENA is inspiring 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤

[@keynolivia]

I love 💗 love ❤️ love 💕 Lena! So powerful 💪🏾 and thoughtful🙏🏽.

[@jessicamompoint1849]

I love it! I can't wait to see the movie tomorrow night.

[@ripaniboutique9950]

Black is beautiful. But also traumatizing. 😪

[@stephdrake2521]

White supremacy produced the trauma don’t forget about that .... white supremacists created this awful system we live under and it’s a global system. I had no control over my color nor did you.... read history and come up with a better statement ..... why didn’t you just say Black Death is romanticizing. Just dumb ..... this movie was for white people ... this movie only re-injured black people with sadness and depression. Black is beautiful but also traumatizing .... FOH.

[@TheBangBang0808]

She is so deep and to hear her say she wants to use her art to show what is happening to us every day so powerful

[@gregsmasochisticcommentfac2244]

"Yeah. I think it was a Thursday morning. I just said. No. This all stops: stylish black lesbian masculine presenting, we gonna shut it down & take over the world." So thankful to be living in your world. #LenaWaithe

[@adriennereed2202]

Lena Waithe is my hero

[@humanandrade1537]

Thank you Miss Lena for this love letter. Great love for you.

[@tamirhbr]

just watched the film. amazing. this interview was prophetic. thank you, Lena.

[@cairawilliams93]

The monumental statement of this decade: " it's open season on black bodies".......

[@botanistboi3756]

Yeah it's open season on black bodies we are killing each other the police don't have to do anything but just watch us destroy ourselves

[@stessieegouy]

The interview i've been waiting for!

[@amybrown1185]

Lena is so Talented!!! Love her can't wait to see the film.

[@lorrainewhite8080]

That movie was awesome! Worth every dime! Thank you Lena

[@callbigg]

It was a wonderful film: strong acting, beautiful cinematography and directing, ear-gasmic soundtrack, relaxant story. Emotionally engaging. And thought provoking. Shows a tale of tragedy through a multi-focused lense and will lead to discussions throughout time examine the many layers presented.

[@s.hinzman7728]

I have such a nerd crush on her - she is just so amazing

[@k.m.jordan4774]

EXCELLENT INTERVIEW!!!! Thank you!!!

[@josh4063]

Open season on black body. .... Whew 🤦🏾‍♂️🤦🏾‍♂️🤦🏾‍♂️amerika

[@123januk]

What to say. As a Norwegian who grew up with one black friend from down the street, in our very small town, (I´ve realised now skin colour is a thing, we didn't really know, we just went swimming and playing and did the things children do, then we suddenly realized because some horrors stared the bullying, hallo parents ...).I see we have been were very naive. Even though we're not the USA. Can't get my head around it. Yet, I know the story, just thought we were supposed to live in a modern world.But then, went back to my small town, made a new friend from Sudan, doing stuff like going to the pub and walking in the street (imagine ...) Mhm, yes, how dare we. Got thrown garbage at and people yelling "Ey, nigger, go home", or "you have a big dick, black guy". Yes, I have been naive. And I don't know what to do. He told me to leave it alone, wise move, I cannot fight these people. I am usually about to, but they would have crushed me. But what we do on a daily basis when people still treat him/people like a child? or worse, like a criminal or low life?

[@Clouden3]

This movie is extraordinary. It'll stay with you after you've seen it. And seriously, some of the best cinematography of the year.

[@nauci]

It's been 5 hours since I finally saw the movie and I'm still sporadically weeping every time I think about it

[@keithbell6929]

I’ve never seen Trevor conduct an interview where he gushed so much that he talked more than his guest. 😀. He clearly loved this movie and for good reason.

[@lakeishajones4787]

I love Lena 🫶🏾 Brilliant mind. Revolutionary artist.

[@artraygalleryart1159]

Wonderful interview. Lena Waithe is amazing artist director. Love Movie Queen.& Slim. Great movie

[@kalikaburgau5472]

This was amazing from beginning to end

[@e-hellephant6252]

It was amazing to hear such a response to a guess of his. Especially with the presented material. This gives me small but real hope for humanity.

[@Liiinda4]

She always takes a sip after that line, lol. I love her.

[@tfletch2030]

"...we live in a world where we’re still treated like second class citizens even though we’re walking on land that our ancestors help build - for free".

[@heyjavonnejay]

Queen & Slim is the first movie I saw in theatres twice with no hesitation. It was raw, gripping, healing and heartbreaking all at once. It has easily earned top spot in best films I’ve ever seen.

[@ml.dickson9999]

'We was black first before we became anything else'

[@ml.dickson9999]

@dandilyonz cassandra Sorry if i hit a nerve. I mean if the lights or the sun went out we all human & black. I'm Just anti-racism

[@deathbecomesher6412]

Thank you Lena.

[@Chaicowski]

Went out to see it. Thanks for your art.

[@joana.6736]

Congratulations to Lena and Team for being able to produce URGENT ART. All the blessings to you and the black community for this time and healing more than you can fathom. IJN

[@newyear8491]

Seeing this movie was so powerful. It’s a movie I had to sit and actually think about and when I put myself and my queen in it I had to too tell her how much I loved her. We’re not promised tomorrow and unfortunately for black “Americans” our system wants us gone. Shame we come from Kings and Queens and our ancestors built this country but the gratitude we get from it is this

[@pearlwingdraws682]

This whole interview was so powerful.

[@SabrielleMelodies]

BEAUTIFUL.

[@marieann5768]

I.am.in.love! Can't wait to watch it!!!

[@christina6335]

Blackness conveyed through a #LenaLens is vulnerable, healing and empowering. Go off.

[@srpatterson10]

Lena Waithe, thank you for this beautiful body of work! 🙏🏾💗🎥

[@tabithamakumi953]

Yooooh the first to comment...How is this even possible..Am prolly gonna comment the whole way...Trevor you fine as wine gets better with time...😋 proud of you...Lena😎 thank you for this...Love from Kenya🖤🇰🇪

[@orel1third]

I'm from South Africa👊

[@orel1third]

@Neo Anderson greetings to you too

[@bmusicaldynasty4524]

Wow... She's so inspiring in so many ways.

[@PogieJoe]

I can't wait to see this movie.

[@semharhaile8591]

This interview is powerful !

[@dorothymasombwe4788]

Wow. I have new found respect for Ms Waithe. Bravo

[@Deactivatedbygoogle]

wow, iam speechless the way you addressing things , this much intelligent,

[@chantelandphilip]

Trevor Noah and Lena Waithe are my heros

[@joelomuron2670]

Superb interview. Phenomenal woman.

[@adenikeoyetundelawal]

This is a POWERFUL chat Wow

[@vivianamora7505]

Powerful stuff! Thank you Lena! So talented!!! ❤️