Subtitles section Play video Print subtitles [APPLAUSE] Welcome back to the show. It's our favorite time of year here at "Full Frontal," Black History Month. It's that special time where we celebrate the accomplishments of great black heroes, remind ourselves that white people may have made some mistakes, and-- [NERVOUS LAUGHTER] we're still making them. Never thought I'd be nostalgic for Kindle's Pepsi commercial. These days we're getting rid of a lot of America's racist stuff like the occasional statue, but that's just the obvious stuff. Like glitter after a bachelorette party, you may think you got it all, but it's lurking where you least expect it. [LAUGHTER] So instead of picking one thing, we're going to tell you about how everything you see or use or enjoy is racist. Welcome to the Racist Roadshow. [APPLAUSE] Really, I am shocked. I had no idea. [INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PLAYING] Suppose I shouldn't be surprised. My grandpa was very, very racist. [INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PLAYING] I'm Samantha Bee. This is Racist Roadshow. [APPLAUSE] Thanks for bringing this wonderful record to the roadshow. What can you tell me about it? Well, when I was in junior high, we learned square dancing in gym. And my grandmother gave me her old square dancing records. And was your grandmother racist? Well, it is a tradition in our family. Let's see. There's no wrinkles in the packaging. The record has a minor scratch, but that doesn't affect the value. How would you feel if I told you the history of teaching schoolchildren to square dance is racist? Huh. [LAUGHTER] That's right. Square dancing isn't just the whitest thing you ever durn saw, it's actually the official dance of white supremacy. Industrialist Henry Ford hated jazz. He thought it was a Jewish conspiracy to use black music to get good white people into booze, cigarettes, and sex. And was it? No. That is what's racist about it. [LAUGHTER] Tight. Henry Ford funded square dancing tutorials, events, and competitions, sparking a square dancing revival. Then the square dancing jazz prevention program was introduced into public schools. That's why you randomly had a square dancing unit in PE. Great work Henry Ford. And no white person ever drank, smoked, or had sex ever again. [LAUGHTER] That looks delicious. Can you tell me about it? Yeah. It's a chocolate cone with chocolate sprinkles and it's been in my family for generations. [LAUGHTER] Now some people say that the brown sprinkles are called "jimmies," which always sounds a little racist to me. The term "jimmies" is used in some parts of the country, particularly in Boston. So I could see why you'd suspect racism. But unfortunately, there's no proof. Oh, that's so disappointing. But if your ancestors got this cone from an ice cream truck, congratulations. Your cone does have some racism. Oh, goodie. [ICE CREAM TRUCK MUSIC PLAYING] That catchy little tune you hear as the ice cream truck approaches is called, well, that. The song was written by Harry C. Brown, who took the music from "Turkey in the Straw," added racist lyrics, and had a hugely popular minstrel hit on his hands. And you thought the "Ghostbusters" reboot ruined your childhood. OK, so what do you have here today? I have this pin from a popular and litigious talking mouse cartoon. Wow. When I saw you come in here with this, I lit up with sadness. [LAUGHTER] Cartoons might be one of the most racist things here tonight. Crikey. One of the first forms of popular entertainment produced by white Americans was blackface minstrelsy. White performers, many of whom had never even met a black person, would blacken their faces with cork and play super made up stereotypical characters. Blackface minstrelsy was invented in the 1830s. And by the 1840s, it was a phenomenon. It was their NCIS, wildly popular and went on far too long. [LAUGHTER] If you want to know what blackface minstrel shows look like, you can find out by watching cartoons. Ever wonder why so many cartoon characters wear gloves? It's not because they're fancy waiters. The costumes, character design, and extreme violence without consequences that you still see in cartoons are holdovers from blackface minstrelsy. You know, so kids have something to watch while they eat their racist ice cream sundaes. Oh my god, I wish an anvil would fall on my head right about now. I love this game. Lightning round! [CHEERING] A vintage roll of color film. Racist. Color film was originally only calibrated to capture white skin tones, like in "La La Land." Next. My grandmother left me this antique speculum. Gross. Also racist. The father of modern gynecology developed his techniques by experimenting on African-American slaves without anesthesia. I've been using it as a salad server. Next. It's the lyrics to "The Star-Spangled Banner." Ooh, check out the third verse, bro. Oh my god. Next. A map of the world. Racist. Haven't you seen "West Wing"? Next. No. It's the concept of the state of Oregon. OK. Oregon was originally founded as a whites-only state. To this day, only 2.1% of the population is black, so. That's not just racism, that's effective racism. Next. I brought this precious heirloom in from my actual family. But now that I know the premise behind this bit, could I not do this and just leave? Yeah man, do you. Thanks so much for joining us on the Racist Roadshow. If you find something you think might be racist, ask someone black. - No, Google it. - OK. [LAUGHTER] It probably is. [APPLAUSE] So from all of us here at Racist Roadshow, remember, racism is everywhere. Always feel uncomfortable for the rest of your life. We'll be right back. [APPLAUSE] [ROCK MUSIC PLAYING]
B2 US racist square laughter racism dancing ice cream Racist Roadshow | February 7, 2018 Act 2 | Full Frontal on TBS 13 0 Sereta posted on 2018/03/19 More Share Save Report Video vocabulary