As part of his final rollout for The Daily Show, former host Trevor Noah took shouted Black women out, and it was amazing.
Curtain Call
When Trevor Noah made his final appearance on The Daily Show on Thursday, most of us expected it to be a bit emotional, with a few reminiscent comments here and there, but not many of us expected the South African comic to give Black women credit for his successful career.
As part of his evocative speech, Noah said that over the course of his life and career, Black women had “nourished” and “formed him.”
“Special shout out to Black women. I’ve often been credited with having these grand ideas. People say, ‘Oh Trevor, you’re so smart.’ I’m like, ‘Who do you think teaches me?, said the South African comedian. “Who do you think shaped me, nourished me and formed me?'”. “From my mom, my grand[mom], my aunt, all these Black women in my life, but in America as well.”
Noah also went on to say that Black women possessed the knowledge and resourcefulness to make something out of nothing.
“I tell people if you want to truly learn about America, talk to Black women cause, unlike everybody else, Black women can’t afford to f— around and find out,” said Noah. “…”Do yourself a favor: you truly want to know what to do or how to do it? Or maybe the best way or the most equitable way? Talk to Black women — they’re a lot of the reason why I’m here and so I’m grateful to them,” he added. “I’m grateful to every single one of you…”
It is not the first time that Noah has praised Black women for their influence on his life. In a 2016 conversation with NPR, the comedian talked about his book Born a Crime, a book that he had dedicated to his mother, and highlighted the influence that his mother had on him while growing up in apartheid-era South Africa with a Black mother and white father.
“I thought that I was the hero of my story, [but] in writing it I came to realize over time that my mom was the hero,” Noah told NPR at the time. “I was lucky enough to be in the shadow of a giant. My mom’s magic dust sprinkled on me and I hope I have enough of it to be as brave as she was and continues to be.”
While Noah’s words about Black were true, it was still incredible to see yet another public figure uplift Black women. In a world that has become notorious for tearing Black women down with micro aggression, gaslighting, and a general lack of respect, moments like these are always welcome and appreciated.