The Daily Show with Trevor Noah Season 2018 Episode 44 Mitch Landrieu

In episode 44 of The Daily Show with Trevor Noah's 2018 season, the focus is on former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu. Landrieu made national headlines in 2017 with his decision to remove Confederate statues from public spaces in New Orleans. Trevor Noah welcomes Landrieu to the show and engages him in a discussion about the decision to remove the statues and the controversy that surrounded it.

The conversation begins with Landrieu explaining the history behind the statues, which were erected in the late 1800s and early 1900s as part of a campaign to glorify the Confederate cause. Landrieu notes that these statues were not mere monuments to history but actively promoted a false narrative about the Civil War and the Confederacy. Noah and Landrieu discuss the arguments made by those who opposed the removal of the statues, namely that it was erasing history. Landrieu counters this by saying that removing the statues was not an attempt to erase history but to acknowledge it in a more honest and accurate way.

The conversation then turns to the issue of race in America and the continued existence of systemic racism. Landrieu speaks about the importance of confronting this issue head-on and the role that symbols, such as the Confederate statues, play in perpetuating it. The two discuss the ways in which one's perception of history can shape their views of the present and how acknowledging the darker aspects of our history can help us move forward as a society.

Noah also asks Landrieu about his thoughts on the current state of American politics and the role that race plays in it. Landrieu expresses his concerns about the direction that the country is heading and the lack of leadership on issues of race and equality. He emphasizes the need for politicians to speak honestly about the issues facing the country and to work towards a more just and equitable society.

The episode concludes with a call to action from Landrieu, who urges viewers to engage in the difficult conversations necessary to move forward as a country. He emphasizes that while the removal of Confederate statues was an important step, it is only the beginning of the work that needs to be done.

Overall, episode 44 of The Daily Show with Trevor Noah's 2018 season offers a thoughtful and engaging discussion about the past, present, and future of race relations in America. Through his conversation with Mitch Landrieu, Noah challenges viewers to confront the uncomfortable truths about our history and to work towards a more just and equitable future.