Ep 19. Nikole Hannah-Jones

In episode 19 of season 2020 of The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, journalist and Pulitzer Prize winner Nikole Hannah-Jones joins Trevor Noah as the guest. Nikole Hannah-Jones is best known for her work on The 1619 Project, an initiative aimed at re-examining the legacy of slavery in the United States.

The episode begins with Trevor Noah giving a brief introduction of Hannah-Jones and her work in journalism. Noah starts the conversation by asking Hannah-Jones about The 1619 Project and the inspiration behind it. Hannah-Jones shares that she wanted to reframe the way Americans think about the country's history and help people understand the lasting impact of slavery on modern-day America.

Noah and Hannah-Jones go on to discuss how the legacy of slavery intersects with current events, such as the Black Lives Matter movement and the protests against police brutality. Hannah-Jones speaks about the importance of acknowledging and addressing the systemic racism that exists in the United States, and the need to confront uncomfortable truths about the country's history.

The conversation then turns to Hannah-Jones' roots as a journalist and her experiences working in the industry. Noah asks her how she approaches her work and what she thinks makes for good journalism. Hannah-Jones speaks about the importance of staying curious and constantly learning, and how she tries to approach her reporting with an open mind and a willingness to learn.

Throughout the episode, Noah and Hannah-Jones touch on a range of topics related to race, history, and journalism. They discuss the controversy surrounding The 1619 Project, with Hannah-Jones defending the accuracy of the project against criticism from conservative pundits. They also talk about the role of journalists in holding people in power accountable and how that role has evolved over time.

One of the standout moments of the episode comes when Hannah-Jones shares a personal story about her own experiences with racism growing up. She recounts a childhood memory of being spat on by a white man and how that moment has stayed with her throughout her life. The emotional moment highlights the personal stakes involved in Hannah-Jones' work and the importance of telling stories that accurately reflect the experiences of everyday people.

Overall, episode 19 of season 2020 of The Daily Show with Trevor Noah is a thoughtful and engaging conversation between two talented journalists. Noah and Hannah-Jones cover a range of important topics related to race and history, and their discussion is marked by a genuine curiosity and desire to learn. For anyone interested in learning more about The 1619 Project and the ongoing conversation around race in America, this episode is well worth a watch.