The election of Donald Trump as President of United States has blown the cover off of the enormous political polarization of this nation. A division propelled, in large part, by unapologetically partisan news networks and social media algorithm's that flood timelines with material that reinforce and confirm our own beliefs. In this environment, we are not required to challenge our beliefs or engage in healthy conversation that promotes empathy for different perspectives. Out of this political atmosphere has emerged conservative political commentator, Tomi Lahren of The Blaze. The 24-year-old host has grown a strong social media presence reaching views exceeding 1 million with her Bill O'Reilly-esque rants in opposition of virtually everything non-cis white.
In a visit to The Daily Show on Wednesday, host Trevor Noah sat down for an interview with Lahren, leading with the obvious question, "Why are you so angry?” to which Lahren replied, "I'm not that angry…Sometimes people just need to be called on their sh*t.” And with that, the stage was set as the two media hosts engaged in a poignant debate from separate ends of the political spectrum. Lahren, who has made a name for herself opposing everything from Black Lives Matter, to Beyoncé's 2016 Super bowl performance to Colin Kaepernick's stance on the National Anthem, insisted at one point that she doesn’t “see color.” A declaration to which Noah quickly called her out. “I don't believe in that at all when people say that,” Noah said. “There is nothing wrong with seeing color. It is how you treat color that is more important.”
Later in the show Lahren went on to say, “Because I’m white, I should shut up? I shouldn’t be able to talk about black issues because I’m white?” to which Noah replied, “No one brought up whites at all, I never said that,” he said, jokingly, “I don’t see color.”
Watch the interview below:
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