Defining Blackness: How Racism Divides Black Communities - Beyond the Scenes | The Daily Show

From the One Drop Rule to low essence media stereotypes, America continues to attempt to fit Blackness into a box. This has led to Black folks policing their own Blackness and divisions based on colorism and ethnic backgrounds. Daily Show writer Ashton Womack, and Yaba Blay, author of the book One Drop: Shifting the Lens on Race, join Host Roy Wood Jr. to attempt to define Blackness as an ideology and open up about moments when they didn’t feel “Black enough.”

Watch the Original Segment:

Follow Beyond the Scenes from The Daily Show with Trevor Noah:
#DailyShow #Comedy

Subscribe to The Daily Show:

Follow The Daily Show:

Follow Comedy Central:

About The Daily Show:
Trevor Noah and The Daily Show correspondents tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and pop culture.

The Daily Show with Trevor Noah airs weeknights at 11/10c on Comedy Central.

[EDWARDKILE]

She is so brilliant and lays it out so eloquently, that I could listen to her for hours and be inspired the entire way through. What a brilliant mind!

[ainathiel]

Thank you for this video. I am an American with Caribbean heritage, there were times when I felt I wasn't Black American enough and times when I wasn't West Indian enough. During my high school years, I was a woman w/o country. You guys are expressing a number of thoughts I've had in past and have given me something to think about as well. I am very grateful, thanks again.

[mikivox]

I'm a white South African and I cannot get enough of these Beyond the Scenes deeper dives into cultural and racial issues - I'm just learning... and learning... and learning. Please never stop this excellent work 👌

[beckyd]

Dr. Blay gives us all some things to thnk and talk about. Great "Behind the Scenes" Roy Wood Jr. and Ashton Womack, Thank you! *Blessed Be and Stay Well!*

[yepisaidit]

*Wow...This was one of the most raw/honest & needed conversations about blackness, that I've seen/heard lately* 👍👍

[SusiFroggy]

When Obama got elected I too cried because I thought this country had finally progressed away from the long history of overwhelming racism and then when Trump got elected I instantly knew I was grossly mistaken.

[sambathehusqueen]

Mexican american here, ive struggled my whole life to find my place. Im too mexican for america, and too american for mexico. But i find my people in everyone else who feels the same inbetween-ness, regardless of where theyre from. I grew up in an area with lots of immigrants and refugees from all over the world. We all looked different, came from different cultures, and we created our own culture of unity and sharing.

[choxieme]

Oh my goodness this has been an amazing opportunity to hear the panel speaking on being Black in America. Somehow I thought that I was the only one who struggled with my different life experiences while living as a black women who grew up in the projects. My mother was very clear and told us yes you live here physically but it doesn't mean that you have to live here that is mentally and emotionally. Later as s a young woman I've traveled the world via my employment with the airline industry and I now work as an artist. I believe that I pushed myself because I grew up in Philadelphia public housing 17 yrs. Somehow I still continue to create mold and shape me while constantly pushing against what society thinks that I should be. Thank you.

[ArcaJ]

THE best Beyond the Scenes, ever. What an amazing conversation. My relationship with my own Blackness and how it is shaped by the Blackness that exists inside the minds of others.

[alonajames]

I could listen to Dr. Blay lecture all day. I appreciate the entire panel. Great work.

[Serioushair]

This segment is amazing. I wish the entire country could collectively sit in on this conversation. Alas...

[agnaturalist]

This is a needed conversation. I've had this with black people who called me "White Girl" because of the way I speak. And white people who felt so comfortable with me, and said things which made me remind them, "You do remember I'm black, right?!?"
But I chose to not take on the uncured racial misconceptions of those people. I am a part of the global community.

[atlcali]

I love everything about this discussion. And I so appreciate when Dr. Blay emphasized the power of words and not using the word minority to describe a racial or ethnic group of people.

[EugeneCarpenter]

Yes an amazing conversation indeed. I love the daily show with all my heart. You all are incredible people. Growing up black in America is not easy and sometimes, more than often very uncomfortable, in certain environments. I agree with her that white supremacy ideology is the problem in America.

[Manny]

As someone that comes from a Mexican background and first generation American, I feel this.

[judytruitt]

As a white female raised in the south by my father who said we are all one people from different cultures we should treat everyone with dignity and respect! I am still learning daily! Thank you

[janetlucas]

My DIL is first generation Ecuadorian and third generation Jamaican. Because she looks black, that's how she is often treated. She shared with me that she grew up Ecuadorian, so that's how our family recognizes her. But she opened my eyes to the culture v. skin color identity. I'll always be blessed she is part of our family.

[messier_]

I’m sitting at home disabled af right now, I was watchin Dr Rashad per usual and then this came on. I am so gloriously thankful to hear this conversation bc I feel 100% apart of it. I sent it to my son and just started crying bc everything each person talks about has a correlation to someone black that is listening. It’s almost musical it’s so beautiful. I just needed this…some substance, some sustenance….in my ears today. And something the same in my heart.

[superhippoface]

I grew up in a very white world so I find this discussion fascinating. It’s obviously not a conversation I would likely to be privy to in real life. I’m thankful to have this additional perspective.

[-Bloomingtales]

It is so mind blowing that I participated in creating an event at my job and I literally had to educate people on blackness, and we ended up calling it “A Celebration of Blackness” to specifically highlight our differences and show people that we are not a monolithic community. This took place last Thursday and I feel so validated because Dr. Blay is saying what I said and more. This is how I talk all the time and it really makes me want to get a degree in black studies.