So, did congress not see the movie Groundhog Day . They are about to live it. Thats tonight on the special two hour edition of laura coates live. All right, congress, pull the parkas out of the closet. Shop on the snowshoes. There is a Blizzard Heading straight for washington d. C. If you are one of the 535 lawmakers who served with the people, you are in store for a very long winter. Why . Well, congress has a lot and i do mean a lot to do. The headlines they are in kansas. Lawmakers fear january met beautiful urgent to todo list. Now, it would be one thing if Congress Just had to take the groceries or put the Christmas Tree out on the curb for trash pickup, but, lawmakers are staring down some of the most politically polarizing issues confronting this entire nation. Things like Border Security and aid for ukraine, funding the government, twice, and the first Shutdown Deadline is when . Is january 19. The second one is february 2nd. By the way, the actual Groundhog Day. So, back to the movie for a moment. Its a 1993 classic, you know i love a good movie reference. And in it, bill murrays character is a jaded news man who kidnaps Punxsutawney Phil to a doer of good deeds who wants to live in punxsutawney. What do you see . You little brat. You have never thanked me. I will see you tomorrow, maybe. Phil gets better, he learns how to ice sculpt. Remember, he learns french. He learns not to see the shadow of life. Congress, well, i do not know we have that much hope in that category for those same reasons. Especially if you judge them on the recent work history. 2023 is going to go down. Get this. As the least productive year for congress on record, and not for lack of effort to have it in news. I mean, there were speaker fights, there are more speaker fight. There are near misses on shutdowns and expulsions, you know there wasnt much of, though . Actually legislating. Of course, that is exactly what they have to do now, actually legislate. They only have days to pull it all off, and how . So, while Congress Gets stuck in a kind of time loop in spending another year to figure out all the ways to look busy, or will 2024 be the year it clicks . Maybe. We will have to live 2023 all over again. Im sure the idea of congress having its leads productive your may sound like hyperbole, willock asked harry enten, is it hyperbole, harry . It is not hyperbole at all. I dont think they can pass a law that could save dogs are awesome and cute. Ill tell you that much, laura. There are awesome and cute, how theyre. How dare they, i love a good little lavish its. Two bills in resolution that came lawsuit, this point in congress, only 31 in 2023, you go back to the prior law of the century, it was 72, more than the vote we saw in 2023. I was looking through the yearbooks, i was looking through everything. It slows at least 50 years. My goodness gracious, just 31 laws, they cannot seem to pass anything. Its not the cap has anything, remember those long speaker fights, laura, they saw a House Speaker midsession, there were 22, 22 a few months ago between Kevin Mccarthy and mike johnson. The previous record was two days, two days less than a ten 1820, so the fact is, congress could not pass laws, they could not even have a speaker. That is how bad it was, laura. It was historically frankly vowed to use a scientific word, awful. That is a heck of a lot that phrase you just use their. What did Congress Actually do . They do something. I will give you a here, what did they do . What did they do . They actually expelled the member of congress. George santos of course for fraud and misuse in campaign funds. But, thats how bad this congress was. The last guy who was thrown out was back in 2002 convicted of ten felonies. Victim of bribery are drew mars back in 03. Before that you have to go back to 19 century, where you have this trio of gentleman who were thrown out for supporting the confederacy. But, i think the fact that we had a member like George Santos just gets the fact that how bad this congress truly was, laura. We could not pass laws, but somehow we managed to have an Election Member such as George Santos, fortunately Congress Actually did something about him. They got rid of him. Congress will tell you, look, it is not the lack of effort, they were trying to get things done, they are trying to do some things, its not work out. Thats what they would say. But, americans might say maybe its a safe bet that the popularity of congress is probably not that high right now. I must be proofread. Asking for a friend, laura. If theres one thing thats high is the Disapproval Rating of congress, and it is uniform across the spectrum. We are talking 80 of independent, 78 of democrats, 71 of republicans. Americans across the political spectrum, laura, cannot agree on very much. But one thing they can agree upon, laura, is the fact that they all just like congress, its not getting any better. Congress is Disapproval Reading has been skyhigh for years, and this year, of course, were even reaching levels that truthfully i could not believe would ever reach. At least during the time i could vote. But, congress, laura, has managed to do the impossible. Harry enten, thank you so much. I will see what the next wentz Minister Dog Show at some point, i. Bed sit there and do the best show category. That will be fun. Nice scene. You buy, laura. I wonder for next guest i hope talkative he might change your perception. To me now is democratic congressman richie torres, who i know has been hardworking. Congressman, welcome and good evening. How are you tonight . It is an honor to be here defending a defenceman. [laughter] good, i knew i liked. You tell me, give a lot on your plate. I wonder is your Glass Half Full or empty about 2024, meaning, look, now is the time when youre actually going to get a lot more done. I am pessimistic because congress is embarrassing, dysfunctional, and incompetent. The problem is not congress, the problem is republican control of congress. Under democratic control, congress is actually historically productive. We pass a bipartisan infrastructure bill, a gun safety bill, a health care bill, Inflation Reduction Act which will reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions by 40 by 2030. So, we went from the most Productive Congress under democrat control, to the least Productive Congress and the republican control. House republicans in 2023 only passed 22 bills compared to 284 bills that became under house democrats. House democrats were 13 times more productive in 2022 than republicans were in 2023. So, as long as republicans are in charge on pessimistic. Well, i have to ask you, obviously you are making the case and establishing the nuance here. But, i have to wonder for the average American Voter looking at it, they are putting congress under a pretty wide umbrella. I wonder to what extent people view it as republicans and democrats, or Just Congress being unable to do the give and take of compromise that means things will get done. How do you see it . I disagree with that assessment. The senate was willing to stay during the holiday, and the republicans who chose to go home. Democrats are open to negotiating a compromise that includes aid for ukraine, israel taiwan and Border Security. But, the devil in the details. Obviously does have to be negotiated. But, there are negotiations other way in the senate. Democrats have been amenable to those negotiations and are willing to stay for the holidays since the republicans who chose to go home. When you look at you mentioned aid for ukraine and what is happening and the conditions that have been attached to Border Security provisions and legislations. Really its a top of not just a town but a top of the globe in terms what role the United States will be able to play and offering support in a variety of areas. You know, on christmas day, people you call anti israel extremists vandalized your office. You actually posted there with all the left behind and warned, quote, intimidation and incitement against members of congress feels like it is heading in a dangerous direction. Im quoting you here, congressman, when you talk about this dangerous direction and obviously what we are seeing in your office, do you mean you can see Political Violence like what happens to has been, or the department of Homeland Security is spoken about in terms of Political Division being at such a pace and peak that it is fueling concerns for real violence in this country . I do worry thats intimidation and incitement of hate could easily escalate into violence. Most members of Congress Like myself have no security we are soft targets. I do worry that a violent assault or even in exacerbation of a member of congress is not a question of it its a question of when. You think so . Members of congress have no security. We are living in a time especially in the wake of january six, if you like were living in a climate of violent extremism in the United States. It was certainly much worse in the 1960s, but, history has a way of repeating itself, and members of congress cannot take their safety for granted. Do you have concern over your own personal safety, congressman . I tend to be unfazed. Theres a quote by godfather he says this is the life weve chosen. So, i accept the burdens of come a political and public life. So, i tried to stress over. Well. As they say, new york new york. There is nothing like. It new yorkers as well. But, i gotta tell you, think about choosing a life of service and to being a member of congress, the fact that that would come along and accompany with the task at hand is really telling and terrifying for a lot of reasons. Congressman, thank you so much for joining us. I certainly hope that you and your colleagues will remain safe. Thank you. Take care. Here to continue the conversation is Senior Reporter for the root jessica washington. Plus, Political Strategist mark mckinnon. Mark, jessica, let me just stop for a second because what we just heard from congressman torres certainly he says he is unfazed. But, i gotta tell you, that is really startling to think that its not a matter he says of if but when there could be Political Violence coming to the front door of a member of congress because of the division we have in this country. Jessica, what is your reaction to that, which seems to be in his mind a foregone conclusion . Yeah. That is obviously a disturbing thing to hear, and the disturbing thing to understand that he is feeling that, i think here in this country that when a member of congress is going to be assassinated or targeted violently its obviously scary. I think from my and i often hear specifically about White Supremacist violence and the types of violence that stoke january 6th. So, thats more what i have been focusing on and less of what hes talking about specifically but of course hearing anything like that is deeply concerning. It is. Mark, when you hear, and think about, it obviously we are talking about the productivity of congress. We know theres been so much in the news from senators to the expulsion to, we are over this beaker fiasco and the appointment of a new person or election of a new one. Theres so much being talked about when we talk about congress, and here we are heading for a shutdown. Days after an alltime low lights of a year from congress, where you look at the dissatisfaction, and then probably being generous here with that term, dissatisfaction, how do you see congress being able to not only get things done but have the buyin from people who they want to get things done . Thats the real problem, particularly for Republican Congress. Their constituencies dont want buy in. American Republican Congress for christmas last year, this year they got a lot for call, and your earlier they talked about how little has been done. But, a lot of those republican members campaigns are not getting anything done. The campaign unlimited government, and many cases no governments are shutting down government. So, the problem that we have is the the parties and republicans particularly are really appealing to the lowest common denominator, the extremes have taken over in the party, and there is no exhibit a is mike johnson as the new speaker, thats not a broad constituency of america. The people he talks to and the people he campaigns with will literally say, mike, just shut it down. Without any real regard for the consequences. So, the republicans have got the car here and i think it worries me because they do not trying to appeal to a majority of constituents, not even a majority of their own party. Its fastening to think about, you know where mine just to weigh in on this, is we talk about the party or the Democratic Party or the Republican Party, we often assume there is a unity, that there is not quite you factors within that they are going to hold the party line, republicans are often praying should be able to do so even when its consequences being damp, democrats here this idea of a circular firing squad if they get ammunitions to republicans an Election Year saying, even they do not agree. When you look at this, jessica, knowing that people are hoping to envelop independent voters. When you see the absence or the absence of cohesion and one viewpoint, is that a good or a bad thing for the parties . Yeah. I think for the purposes of governing weve seen its a bad thing. I think the one thing that is almost universally you know the republicans is trump. So, without trump in power and without trump in office, there is very little motivation to with any policy. I think we are seeing that play out in this congress where they are credibly dysfunctional, they are unable to agree on a speaker or agree on passing pretty much any legislation. So, i think for the purposes of wanting to get legislation passed, it is incredibly dysfunctional. But, if you are just trying to get elected on a platform of not letting the government do anything, and were going to be constructionist its effective. So, it depends on youre looking at. It well, you know, senator patty murray, a woman who has served the senate for two decades but the problethis way. This is azy what they are doing. If we set this precedent of every year that congress has in negotiations, suspending members are going to be, and then to six months later, never mind, we are never going to be able to trust a deal again. Love and legislating could not live where there is no trust. How do you fix that, mark . Its tough. Its particularly exasperating when you think about the fact that the Republican Party in 2020 at their convention literally had no platform. They did not have a platform. So, there is not even a model of words, this just goes to the whole point of being obstructionists, and doing things thats really are not just limited government but shutting the government down. Thats what the campaign now, because there is no Platform Policies that theyre promoting except to be obstructionists. Chip roy is a congressman from texas that i know from my texas state, conservative driver in the front and smart guy. Well respected by all sides of the and the Republican Party. Famously, a couple of weeks ago, republican colleagues in the congress, just give me one thing that i want to go home and see on the weekend, just one thing, as yet of the keys really got the. Well, i mean a former self some water because somebodys Glass Half Full in this conversation. Thank you both for staying up with us. All right, up next, the u. S. Military is striking several iranianbacked militant targets in iraq. Is there a risk of the United States getting drawn into a wider regional conflict . The power goes out and we still have wifi to do our homework. And thats a good thing . Great in my book who are you . No power . No problem. Introducing stormready wifi. Now you can stay reliably connected through Power Outages with unlimited cellular data and up to 4 hours of battery backup to keep you online. Only from xfinity. Home of the xfinity 10g network. We are following new threats to American Forces in the middle east. The United States militarys response. President biden ordering air strikes targeting iranbacked militants in iraq. This after attack that injured three u. S. Troops. All of this is raising questions and concerns about how deeply the u. S. Is being drawn into the expanding conflict in the middle east. Lets bring in joel reuben, the former deputy of secretary of state, the Obama Administration of state of affairs. Hes also running for congress in maryland. Joel, thank you so much for being here. Nobody could predict this year. Its been the most astonishing year in terms of foreign policies and whats been going on. Theres so many reasons. Why everyone talks about the president is worried about the commanderinchief these days. Is it not . What he is prepared to do and what can happen next. That is right, laura. The commanderinchief is a unique individual in our constitutional system. The president is the one who decides whether or not we go to work. Of course, congress can authorize its but there is still many different windows available to the president , and we just saw him wrecks exercise one of those in response to iranian proxy attacks against American Forces in iraq. , and the president was obligating quite frankly to respond to protect our troops. So, there is a lot of pressure. Was the way he did the right way . It was, absolutely. He got a target where the strikes are coming into us in the message, thats a no no and what he did in executing that strike was the pinpoint. But, it does need to be complicated by diplomatic message. Its very stern and clear to iran that unleashing your proxies in the region is not going to get you what you are seeking. There have been over 100 attack since october 17, i believe. These against forces against u. S. In the region. That is unacceptable, so, these strikes they punish, hopefully deter and clearly the message needs to be governed to iran. But, they are recklessly escalating. I do wonder, cause you hear so much chatter about obviously the demonic messaging, the involvement of u. S. Forces. That latter part is really concerning so many people. Are we being drawn in intentionally to a wider legion of conflict, are we finding ourselves there by default, what do you think . You know, the number one objective for the white house is to stay out of regional conflicts in light of this war between israel and hamas. This is not a war of are doing, this is a war that hamas started. It is a war that israels responding to. But, we have allies in the region across the middle east. We are in a rock at the invitation of the iraqi government. We are there fighting terrorism message. So, our position in the region across many countries is solid. What iran is doing right now is trying to see how far it can go in pushing and prodding. I truly believe iran wanted its eight out of the middle east. I think that serves their strategic interest. Thats not where the United States is. Its not where our allies across the air are. So, getting sucked into it is a sort of parallel dynamic to the israelhamas war, and arana trying to see how far they can go. You know, the United States is a heck of a bear to try and. Poke you do wonder if there is a way to deter what is happening with iran. Not escalate the situation. Its a very fine line to walk. Very fine line. It means that all aspects of American Power need to be accessed in order to prevent an escalation. So, this is immediate Military Response and target and focus. Not going crazy like some loud voices one for some reason to present to attack her on or somewhere with the country. Thats three times the size of iraq. Thats incredibly unwise. But, we also have other deterrence measures, Aircraft Carrier groups in the eastern mediterranean, and again, these alliances. This is where it is very crucial right now. We see our diplomats engaged actively. But, the and to continue to engage and lean into our allergen region. You get a message to iran, that if it is playing with fire, its undermining regional security. Its not going to obtain objectives. So, all of these aspects, all of these tools, has to come into play. Its not in anyones interest to see an american war with iran. It will not achieve objectives thats many voices in this city in particular want to see, where they want to see iran deter some that will backfire. But, that is not mostly we walkway for the middle east either. So, its a real tight road. It is, the threat. Well see what the commander in chief, thats about all of. It thank you so much joel reuben. Well, kanye west is out to an apology to the Jewish Community over his history of antisemitic remarks. But, are we buying it . We will talk about, it next. Better late than never . Rapper kanye west apologizing to the Jewish Community after repeated antisemitic attacks. This includes, as recently as just a few weeks ago. Written in hebrew with the message within part, quote, it was never my intention to hurt or disrespect, and i deeply regret any pain i may have caused, unquote. West also says hes committed to learning and ensuring what he says is greater sensitivity and understudied in the future. So far, the post has gained more than 1 million likes. Now the Antidefamation League cautiously welcoming wests apology, as cnn saying, quote, after causing untold damage by using his vast influence and platform to poison countless minds with vicious antisemitism and hate, an apology in hebrew maybe the first step on a long Journey Towards making amends to the Jewish Community, and all those who he has hurt. Ultimately, actions will speak louder than words, but this initial Act Of Contrition is welcomed. I want to bring immediate personnel and host at the Higher Learning podcast, van layton. Along with the columnist jane michaelson. So glad to have you both on today. Hello, hello, hello. , jalen begin with you. The adl says the apology is what they call the first step on a long Journey Towards making a mans, the Jewish Community. What is your reaction tonight to kanye wests apology . I think he had about as much do it right in his apology as i had to do with writing my beautiful dark twisted fantasy. This is kind of a boiler plate, chatgpt ordered apology. This was transmitted pretty awkwardly into hebrew. Only about 20 of American Jewish people even read hebrew. Im in that 20 . Its like a bad eighth graders translation assignments. But, look, ive never been a fan of the apology tour as a means of improving our relations between different groups. Certainly i find antisemitism, hopefully there is somebody in counties in the circle who he trusts you can have a real conversation with him. This feels like a real weird publicity stunt. Van, what do you say about this because he has had a long history of antisemitic lies. This includes by the way a few weeks ago during a Listening Party where his new album, and its about the timing of this, what do you think he, why is he doing this now . Why the apology now . Im not sure. Im not sure why the apology comes now and nobody [inaudible] 3 of the worlds population died. The book husband did not hitler and i think were getting a lot more tired and exhausted about the kanye west Repeat Cyber Offense and discussing this. And whatever hes gonna learn, i think its high time he started learning it, you know . I mean, jay, ben makes a great point in the sense that when you hear an apology and the substance of it, you do have to wonder where is the epiphany going to be coming from . Is the epiphany going to be coming from truth, have you not been observant in some way or informed, intentionally . When you see that, what is your thought . Well, i dont really take it at face value. But if i did, its funny, usually when ben and i are on to gather, im the more cynical. One right now, i think im more optimistic. Theres lgbtq from the last century that some people get stupid at wholesale and they get wise at retail. This means we absorbed that ideas from our culture, and that is true in all different forms of discrimination racism and antisemitism included. Yet, it takes a different kind of relationship to get a little bit more wise. That is why, i am not really optimistic but if i believe the statement had anything to do with anything kanye ever said, i just hope there is folks again in his circle who can have the kind of long conversations. He clearly has absorbed a number of Antisemitic Motif that have been around for hundreds of years. Hes gotten this from someplace, and, it takes a process to kind of the program that in a way. I think there is not a sort of simple way to do is, in Writing Apology Noses on the way to do it. I think there has to be hopefully somebody in there who could have those long conversations, and he can get to know some jewish folks in reality as opposed to dark twisted fantasy. I mean, that, and when you think about, it you messaged retail just now, jay. We think about things like socalled cancel culture, the in packed of one statement and oftentimes what is the catalyst for the apology towards. Its often referred to. Is that, youre losing a lot of income as a result. You got to make the Course Correction otherwise heavy bankruptcy culturally actually, fiscally, in the future. But, even when that history of antisemitism of kanye has been criticize widely for, he is not taking the hit i think you would think retail wise or in terms of what people a suspect. Why do you think that is . I think i knew what is the most powerful cultural figure in the world. There is not a real way, there is not a scientific way to put your figure on why that happened. He is well aware of how important is. But, he does not know how powerful he is. He does not know the power he has to normalize certain attitudes or to recontextualize long held shoots and evils to a new group of people, that could be damaging. And, we had this conversation with them all the time whether or not he is talking about Harry Tuckerman or talked about savory or talking about antisemitism, all these tropes of hitler, kinney was it just simply sometimes like a child playing with his big cultural toy that he grabs so hard and always breaks. I am disappointed, i am tired. More so, i wanted to do better. I want him to know how much and a score we love him, and how much we expect from him. We expect better. We are not going to stop demanding better no matter how dope the album is or his shoes are, or any of that stuff is. Conyers has got to be better than this. Well, finally, ben and michaelson, i wonder will come next 2024. Thank you both for your insight tonight, i really do appreciate it. Thank you. Well, harvard president , claudine gay, forcing growing calls to resign over her congressional testimony in antisemitism and also allegations of plagiarism. A former City Body President , harvard is my guest, next. Very cordial and frank. That is how one academic is describing a recent meeting between Faculty Members and two members of harvards governing body. Called by the harvard corporation, faculty were asked to discuss their views over recent problems and what might be done to address them. Now, one topic that was not discussed during the meeting, the removal of harvard president claudine gay. As some may find that surprising, this cause for gay to resign continue to grow, as she faces scrutiny for her handling of antisemitism on campus, and now allegations of plagiarism. For more, i want to bring in noah harris. He was the first black male Student Body President of harvard. He joins us now. Noah, so good to see you. I im welcoming all the things that are happening well for you. I am not surprised though. But, harvard has been in the news for all the wrong reasons one might say. How do you feel about harvard being under the spotlight right now for these reasons . Well, thank you so much for having me. I will start by saying that i love my experience at harvard. I graduated last year and i should be going back to harvard for law school. I want to start by also saying that president gay is an exceptional scholar, a great leader, and the person of high character. I know president gay well, ive had the opportunity of working with her when she was the dean of the faculty of arts and scientists and i was president of the student body. Shes always a great job. So, thats what i want to talk about and kind of really supporter and talk about her character. She was actually the person who was calling the shots and really needing harvard through the pandemic. So, she was the one in the room making those decisions. So, i am saddened to see what in the news for all these allegations. As angry would, surely. But, i know ultimately that president gay is a great leader and i do stand behind the Harvard Corporations Decision to support president gay because i know thats from experience that Harvard University doesnt have any Cuss Decisions without a thorough complete process, and that president gay deserves a im so glad you have a personal report and know her well, because we often hear about in light of all these different discussions sense of course that miss correctional hearing with her and other members of other universities as well. But, it has not stopped, even though there has been support for her by members of the faculty and the student body at least the harvard corporation. Now, there are allegations of plagiarism, frankly of continued use in terms of the calls trying to get her to be removed. In light of what she is facing, has that changed your opinion of her personally, or what you are hearing from your fellow Student Body Members . It has not changed my opinion of her personally because ultimately i know who she is. I havent been able to speak with her recently because shes been busy, but i really do not have any more information on the ongoing Plagiarism Investigation that anyone else would. But, i do trust her to conduct a fair and thorough investigation of president gay, just as they would for any other member of the faculty, former president , or a student in their midst. So, actually, before every exam, to reaffirm our agreement with the Harvard College honor code. So, we have to commit ourselves to a certain level of integrity and the faculty has to commit their selves to entire level still. My support for president gay has not changed. Of course, i have known idea what the investigation will cover, but i know two things. I know that president gay has an honest and trustworthy visual of high character. I know harvard will conduct an investigation in caution. We hope that whatever investigation the lure that you will be will demand due process for all of those things. But, i have to wonder, you are not that far moved from harvard, certainly there are going to be a variety of opinions perhaps many that are different when the one you currently hold. What has been the Student Body S Reaction to all of this . What is the sentiments like . I think with any difficult situation, the Student Body Sentimentalize been mixed. Harvard has both a very diverse student body from All Over The World and you have people who are always going to see a different way. But, people and students from All Over The World come to harvard to get a great education. Thats what the student body is still great resource for them. There have been many students who have come out supporting president. I want to say we do have to do a better job of a lifting women as they rise to these positions of leadership. We elevate women to the position of president , weve done for more then and as more than we have and the entire countrys history. There are more women president s of college and university than ever before. But, what we have to do is look at the full body of the person and the full record. We have to know that ultimately, everyone does make mistakes, but, there has to be accountability. We also have to know that one decision is not an entire persons record. So, we have to make sure there is due process, but we also have to trust that the leaders we elevated to these positions are people of high character and i know president gay is one. It is a shame, noah. I really feel like you made a mistake were not going to princeton. But, thats okay. You can be corrected sometime in the future as you smile through that conversation. Let me ask you this. You have been very determined in your own position to make sure that success is elevated an accessible for others. I know you and i first met when you were the author of a book and now you have a program and nonprofit called success. Tell me about it. Yeah, i worry Children Books but i also have a nonprofit called success bill university. Its an organization that works to empower young people to value their education as a catalyst for early career exploration, through books, motivational activities and curriculum admission. It really to show kids they can do anything if they work hard, set goals, and develop talents. Education is just so important and so, really i just want to continue to support the young people and help them make their career dreams a reality. If you are able, please dont eat it, w w dot success build that u dot org. Noah harris, thank you so much for joining. As we will be watching very closely as frankly whats going on at harvard and beyond and we will see what ultimately comes of that investigation. Thank you for joining me tonight. Thank you so much. Happy holidays. You too. Up next, he made fist three as the youngest person to win a tony award for best leading actor in a musical. Now, miles frost is starring in new film origin, playing Trayvon Martin. Our conversation is next. You dont escape trauma by ignoring it. You escape trauma by confronting it. I do not like christmas. I right answers. That is the trailer for Ava Duvernays film origin which, explores the unspoken systems of oppression that have shamed america. And the world is an adaptation of the huge surprise winning walker bestselling book cast. I brought you my conversation with ava duvernay earlier this month. I also had a chance to down 20 award winner miles frost, who plays Trayvon Martin in the film. Here is our conversation. You are playing the role of somebody who is so wellknown in our hearts, in our minds, in our political conversations, Trayvon Martin. I wonder what that experience was like for you. For it is almost indescribable you know the way that a person like Trayvon Martin carries and how much of an effect its had on us as black people, and as society and the effect of town the United States and has been the catalyst for so many movements. It was an honor, however, i always found myself at this place of am i doing this right . Then again, what does that look like . Its a lot of pressure. Its a lot of pressure, but it is necessary pressure because we need to get this message out there. It must be very startling in some moments to see yourself in him. Yes. For i was tasked with coming up with the final thoughts and feelings of a kid who realizes he is not about to live any longer. That was probably one of the hardest things i have ever had to do in my life. My very first role on film was very small but i played a kid with autism, but we coming up with those moments for him, for the world to experience what he experienced, is nothing really like it. Looking at his picture of him deceased on the floor, you know, having to absorb that and say what am i supposed to do with it . What am i supposed to do with this information and how can i translate it so that people can go, okay. I received that, i understand how this fits in this giant story that affects us all. This, by the way, is but one of the things you were manifesting. I understand you are not staying in the red states much longer, you have somewhere to go overseas. I do, i do. Whats happening . Im making that trip. Where are you going, london . Im going to run into Open A Musical In London which i am so blessed in 2024. And the youngest. The what award . Tony award winner in history. Wow. Across the pond. Im going to bring it across the pond. They might try to keep you. You know, its reason season lights time. Michaels always, if nothing else, michael. There was always unapologetically himself. I dont think he was expecting to do anything with us. Well his portrayal and thinking about what that is like to try to illustrate and become someone who has become the most unwilling icon, one we never expected to know