1 00:00:11,760 --> 00:00:14,560 Speaker 1: Good morning, peeps, and welcome to OKF Daily with me 2 00:00:14,720 --> 00:00:18,759 Speaker 1: your girl, Danielle Moody pre recording from the Home Bunker. Folks, 3 00:00:18,800 --> 00:00:21,840 Speaker 1: it is my birthday, so I am taking a few 4 00:00:22,079 --> 00:00:27,720 Speaker 1: days off for some rest and realignment, but I'm very 5 00:00:27,760 --> 00:00:30,720 Speaker 1: happy to leave you with some episodes that I have 6 00:00:30,920 --> 00:00:35,400 Speaker 1: pre recorded. The episode coming up today is with actor 7 00:00:35,600 --> 00:00:38,800 Speaker 1: and the chair of the Glisten Board, Wilson Cruz, who 8 00:00:38,840 --> 00:00:42,000 Speaker 1: is also a friend of mine. He is an LGBTQ 9 00:00:42,400 --> 00:00:47,360 Speaker 1: friggin icon whose first portrayal of a queer character on 10 00:00:47,440 --> 00:00:50,720 Speaker 1: television was in the nineties with My So Called Life. 11 00:00:50,960 --> 00:00:53,760 Speaker 1: If you remember that show with Claire Danes and her 12 00:00:53,800 --> 00:00:58,320 Speaker 1: best friend Ricky was played by Wilson Cruz. And so 13 00:00:58,400 --> 00:01:01,320 Speaker 1: Wilson has spent his career we are not only on 14 00:01:01,360 --> 00:01:05,800 Speaker 1: the screen but also in c suite working to advance 15 00:01:05,880 --> 00:01:10,240 Speaker 1: representation for LGBTQ people and help our youth. And so 16 00:01:10,319 --> 00:01:12,800 Speaker 1: I'm so excited to welcome him to wok F for 17 00:01:12,959 --> 00:01:17,640 Speaker 1: this really insightful conversation. We pre recorded this so as 18 00:01:17,760 --> 00:01:20,280 Speaker 1: of the time that you're listening to this, the strike, 19 00:01:21,080 --> 00:01:24,880 Speaker 1: the longest strike for actors, tentatively has reached a deal. 20 00:01:25,760 --> 00:01:28,480 Speaker 1: So in this conversation, we are still speaking about the 21 00:01:28,520 --> 00:01:31,840 Speaker 1: strike because it was still going on when we recorded 22 00:01:31,920 --> 00:01:34,880 Speaker 1: the show. So I hope that you enjoyed this episode. 23 00:01:35,000 --> 00:01:42,240 Speaker 1: Coming up next, folks, I am so very excited to 24 00:01:42,720 --> 00:01:46,040 Speaker 1: welcome to woke f Daily. Just oh, I don't know 25 00:01:46,319 --> 00:01:53,480 Speaker 1: an icon, an actor and activists and all around absolute 26 00:01:53,760 --> 00:02:00,200 Speaker 1: bad ass Wilson Cruz, who I have known, had the 27 00:02:00,280 --> 00:02:05,920 Speaker 1: pleasure of knowing for several years now. Wilson, We've watched 28 00:02:05,960 --> 00:02:09,280 Speaker 1: you on Star Trek, We've watched you on and so 29 00:02:09,480 --> 00:02:13,240 Speaker 1: many shows. We've watched you get Vanguard Awards for your 30 00:02:13,280 --> 00:02:18,680 Speaker 1: activism as an LGBTQ activist, and now you are also 31 00:02:20,000 --> 00:02:21,720 Speaker 1: I don't know how you do it, but are also 32 00:02:21,760 --> 00:02:27,000 Speaker 1: the board chair at Glisten Right, an organization that seeks 33 00:02:27,040 --> 00:02:33,000 Speaker 1: to provide curriculum, books, information on LGBTQ youth to our 34 00:02:33,040 --> 00:02:39,000 Speaker 1: schools to create better, more compassionate global citizens. I want 35 00:02:39,000 --> 00:02:42,760 Speaker 1: to start off by asking, in the context of all 36 00:02:43,120 --> 00:02:47,280 Speaker 1: the places we are right now, living in between all 37 00:02:47,320 --> 00:02:50,960 Speaker 1: of these multiple dimensions of violence and grief and vacillating, 38 00:02:51,280 --> 00:02:54,920 Speaker 1: how are you? How are you doing well? 39 00:02:54,960 --> 00:02:57,639 Speaker 2: First of all, thank you for for having me here. 40 00:02:58,200 --> 00:03:04,040 Speaker 2: I love seeing your faith How am I? I am? 41 00:03:06,320 --> 00:03:10,400 Speaker 2: I am well because I really believe we're going to 42 00:03:10,480 --> 00:03:12,400 Speaker 2: get through this. We're going to get to the other 43 00:03:12,440 --> 00:03:14,120 Speaker 2: side of this. It's not going to be easy, but 44 00:03:14,560 --> 00:03:16,680 Speaker 2: I'm well, you know, I do feel like the world 45 00:03:16,720 --> 00:03:20,079 Speaker 2: is on fire, ye and I'm getting a tan from it. 46 00:03:20,320 --> 00:03:22,400 Speaker 2: But I'm grabbing a hose. You know. We all need 47 00:03:22,440 --> 00:03:24,320 Speaker 2: to grab a hose and do what we can and 48 00:03:24,360 --> 00:03:26,200 Speaker 2: put out the fire where we can, where we can 49 00:03:26,520 --> 00:03:29,960 Speaker 2: right and listen, is the place where I've chosen to 50 00:03:30,160 --> 00:03:32,280 Speaker 2: put out that I've chosen to put out this fire 51 00:03:32,400 --> 00:03:34,760 Speaker 2: or or help put out this fire? How do I 52 00:03:34,800 --> 00:03:36,480 Speaker 2: do it? I do it because I'm not doing it 53 00:03:36,520 --> 00:03:40,720 Speaker 2: by myself. I am part of a dynamic leadership, a 54 00:03:40,720 --> 00:03:44,320 Speaker 2: new leadership team at Glisten, with Alamara Jones as my 55 00:03:44,400 --> 00:03:47,120 Speaker 2: vice chair and with Melanie Williamn Jaggers as our new 56 00:03:47,120 --> 00:03:52,120 Speaker 2: executive director. I am here to support them really yeah, 57 00:03:52,160 --> 00:03:56,400 Speaker 2: to make to make it possible to get the resources 58 00:03:56,440 --> 00:03:59,280 Speaker 2: this organization needs to do its important work. That's I 59 00:03:59,600 --> 00:04:04,160 Speaker 2: see my self as you know, the catcher right on 60 00:04:04,280 --> 00:04:09,320 Speaker 2: the team, and I have such faith in their abilities 61 00:04:09,320 --> 00:04:13,000 Speaker 2: and the abilities of this staff, and that I feel 62 00:04:13,000 --> 00:04:17,560 Speaker 2: really confident that We've seen this in terms of schools 63 00:04:17,600 --> 00:04:20,600 Speaker 2: and and the sin stream that we're seeing with book 64 00:04:20,640 --> 00:04:23,160 Speaker 2: bands and stuff like that. We've seen this play before. 65 00:04:23,680 --> 00:04:26,359 Speaker 2: We know how to deal with it. This is a 66 00:04:26,440 --> 00:04:31,919 Speaker 2: louder contingent for sure, But there I still believe that 67 00:04:31,960 --> 00:04:34,760 Speaker 2: they are the minority. They just happen to be a 68 00:04:34,839 --> 00:04:38,680 Speaker 2: really loud one. The job of Listen is to give 69 00:04:38,720 --> 00:04:42,479 Speaker 2: them the resource, give our team, give our our kids, 70 00:04:42,600 --> 00:04:47,919 Speaker 2: our our parents, the teachers, our supportive teachers, administration, school districts, 71 00:04:47,920 --> 00:04:50,600 Speaker 2: the resources they need, the tools they need to combat 72 00:04:50,920 --> 00:04:52,680 Speaker 2: all of these lies, because that's what they are. There 73 00:04:52,680 --> 00:04:57,080 Speaker 2: are lives, and we're here to provide the help and 74 00:04:57,120 --> 00:05:01,239 Speaker 2: the resources and tools to fight back. So that gives 75 00:05:01,240 --> 00:05:08,000 Speaker 2: me great confidence and it soothes my weary soul when 76 00:05:08,000 --> 00:05:10,200 Speaker 2: I when I get worked up. 77 00:05:11,200 --> 00:05:15,600 Speaker 1: Yeah, you know, I will say that it is so important, 78 00:05:16,720 --> 00:05:21,920 Speaker 1: I think, particularly for young queer people to see successful 79 00:05:23,000 --> 00:05:27,400 Speaker 1: whole queer adults right and from color, you know, of 80 00:05:27,480 --> 00:05:32,159 Speaker 1: color of color in particular, and I think that often 81 00:05:32,600 --> 00:05:36,479 Speaker 1: what we are bombarded with, what those youth are bombarded with, 82 00:05:36,560 --> 00:05:39,479 Speaker 1: are all of the statistics about why they're not going 83 00:05:39,560 --> 00:05:43,240 Speaker 1: to succeed, why they will die young, why the world 84 00:05:43,320 --> 00:05:46,360 Speaker 1: is against them, and so as somebody that has been 85 00:05:46,400 --> 00:05:49,760 Speaker 1: in the spotlight and has been out in the spotlight 86 00:05:49,880 --> 00:05:54,840 Speaker 1: as a gay man of color, who's you know what 87 00:05:54,920 --> 00:05:58,920 Speaker 1: your breakout character, my soul called life would have been 88 00:05:58,960 --> 00:06:03,200 Speaker 1: banned probably that that that your your your Ricky would 89 00:06:03,240 --> 00:06:05,840 Speaker 1: have been banned. That show would have been banned and 90 00:06:06,000 --> 00:06:10,440 Speaker 1: it had aired not in the nineties, but today. That 91 00:06:10,600 --> 00:06:16,560 Speaker 1: gave so many young queer people the opportunity to see themselves. 92 00:06:17,080 --> 00:06:21,400 Speaker 1: You know, what do you think, how do you help 93 00:06:22,080 --> 00:06:26,600 Speaker 1: provide that light that is needed for our lgbt Q 94 00:06:27,040 --> 00:06:31,560 Speaker 1: kids of color in particular that are at the intersection 95 00:06:32,080 --> 00:06:33,159 Speaker 1: battling so much. 96 00:06:35,839 --> 00:06:38,719 Speaker 2: You know, I think it's really important right now, in 97 00:06:38,760 --> 00:06:44,479 Speaker 2: this moment when there's you know, these high decibel screams 98 00:06:44,520 --> 00:06:51,560 Speaker 2: from the MAGA, write that our students see us standing 99 00:06:51,640 --> 00:06:57,080 Speaker 2: up for them, that we adults rise up, if you will, 100 00:06:57,240 --> 00:07:02,280 Speaker 2: to borrow the phrase from Gliston's campaign, that campaign is important. 101 00:07:02,760 --> 00:07:06,000 Speaker 2: That it's important that governors and mayors all across this 102 00:07:06,080 --> 00:07:10,920 Speaker 2: country are declaring that they're pledging the to be supportive 103 00:07:10,960 --> 00:07:15,000 Speaker 2: of LGBTQ plus students because the noise that they're hearing 104 00:07:15,160 --> 00:07:18,239 Speaker 2: from the other side feels like it's the only story 105 00:07:18,720 --> 00:07:20,320 Speaker 2: and they need to see that the other side of 106 00:07:20,360 --> 00:07:23,440 Speaker 2: the story is that there is an entire community of 107 00:07:23,560 --> 00:07:28,680 Speaker 2: LGBTQ plus adults and allies who are fighting for the right, 108 00:07:29,400 --> 00:07:32,040 Speaker 2: for their right to live up to their potential. That's 109 00:07:32,040 --> 00:07:35,560 Speaker 2: all we're asking. We're not asking for anything special. We're 110 00:07:35,560 --> 00:07:38,240 Speaker 2: asking for these students to be able to go to 111 00:07:38,320 --> 00:07:41,280 Speaker 2: school and to learn in order to be great citizens. 112 00:07:41,880 --> 00:07:44,880 Speaker 2: It's no mistake. It's not an accident that these book 113 00:07:44,920 --> 00:07:49,360 Speaker 2: bands and the censorings started in earnest right around the 114 00:07:49,360 --> 00:07:53,120 Speaker 2: time that the sixteen nineteen project came out, because the 115 00:07:53,160 --> 00:07:57,040 Speaker 2: front lines of our movement and of the fight is 116 00:07:57,120 --> 00:07:59,960 Speaker 2: in our schools. Because if they can control what we learn, 117 00:08:00,240 --> 00:08:03,120 Speaker 2: if they can control what these students learn, they can 118 00:08:03,160 --> 00:08:08,080 Speaker 2: control everything. They can control how they see themselves, they 119 00:08:08,160 --> 00:08:11,160 Speaker 2: can control how other people see them. If you don't 120 00:08:11,200 --> 00:08:15,080 Speaker 2: have LGBTQ plus people in your history in the curriculum 121 00:08:15,080 --> 00:08:18,240 Speaker 2: that you're teaching, it's going to be easy to dehumanize them, 122 00:08:18,680 --> 00:08:23,160 Speaker 2: it's going to be easy to dismiss them. Students need 123 00:08:23,200 --> 00:08:27,200 Speaker 2: to see them themselves mirrored in the curriculum that they 124 00:08:27,240 --> 00:08:32,160 Speaker 2: have at school, and so do straight students. Straight students 125 00:08:32,200 --> 00:08:38,800 Speaker 2: need to see LGBTQ plus trans people sist. Straight people 126 00:08:38,840 --> 00:08:41,880 Speaker 2: need to see that too, because they gain empathy, they 127 00:08:41,920 --> 00:08:44,520 Speaker 2: gain understanding about who we are in our movement, and 128 00:08:44,559 --> 00:08:47,400 Speaker 2: so then it's harder to demonize us, do you understand. 129 00:08:47,480 --> 00:08:51,199 Speaker 2: So the work that Glisten does is really about protecting 130 00:08:51,400 --> 00:09:01,000 Speaker 2: our society, our country, our democracy from ignorance and from hate. 131 00:09:01,520 --> 00:09:03,280 Speaker 2: I talk, you know, I tell people all the time, 132 00:09:03,360 --> 00:09:06,520 Speaker 2: what can we do to to help our movement right now? 133 00:09:06,960 --> 00:09:09,800 Speaker 2: Ensure that we continue to have one continue that we 134 00:09:09,840 --> 00:09:13,400 Speaker 2: continue to have uh people within this community who are 135 00:09:13,440 --> 00:09:17,600 Speaker 2: able to be out and loud and visible. That's that's 136 00:09:18,000 --> 00:09:21,600 Speaker 2: we're raising these kids today to be able to be 137 00:09:21,760 --> 00:09:29,040 Speaker 2: put uh great citizens and active in our democracy. And 138 00:09:29,080 --> 00:09:33,640 Speaker 2: we're raising straight cisgender people to understand and and and 139 00:09:34,760 --> 00:09:41,439 Speaker 2: accept and support and and understand that you know, we 140 00:09:41,520 --> 00:09:45,320 Speaker 2: are a valuable part of this society. So the work 141 00:09:45,320 --> 00:09:48,160 Speaker 2: that Goeston does is vital, uh you know, and it 142 00:09:48,320 --> 00:09:51,960 Speaker 2: reaches the blast radius is enormous. 143 00:09:52,000 --> 00:09:56,280 Speaker 1: You know, you have been in this movement and on 144 00:09:56,320 --> 00:10:01,960 Speaker 1: the front lines for so long. And what do you see, Wilson, 145 00:10:02,000 --> 00:10:07,080 Speaker 1: that is different about this time this moment, both in 146 00:10:07,160 --> 00:10:11,640 Speaker 1: its affirmative right, both in the tools that we didn't 147 00:10:11,679 --> 00:10:16,680 Speaker 1: have right ten years ago, twenty years ago, but also 148 00:10:16,960 --> 00:10:19,840 Speaker 1: in the obstacles that we are facing. 149 00:10:22,000 --> 00:10:27,960 Speaker 2: You know, the reason why we are seeing such an 150 00:10:28,160 --> 00:10:33,400 Speaker 2: enormous backlash to our community, to us, to an entire 151 00:10:33,559 --> 00:10:37,400 Speaker 2: group of human beings, is because of the success that 152 00:10:37,440 --> 00:10:41,760 Speaker 2: we have seen in the last forty years. Yeah, right, 153 00:10:43,760 --> 00:10:48,600 Speaker 2: people came out in the nineties, people fought back against 154 00:10:48,720 --> 00:10:50,880 Speaker 2: you know, the fact that nobody was carrying a damn 155 00:10:50,880 --> 00:10:56,120 Speaker 2: about who was dying of aides. We passed marriage. We 156 00:10:56,160 --> 00:11:04,200 Speaker 2: have an incredible visibility in our society. This moment is 157 00:11:05,080 --> 00:11:14,440 Speaker 2: entirely a response to that. And how it's different is 158 00:11:16,280 --> 00:11:16,920 Speaker 2: Donald Trump. 159 00:11:18,000 --> 00:11:24,439 Speaker 3: Yeah, and the hate that he's unleashed and the permission 160 00:11:24,520 --> 00:11:29,280 Speaker 3: that he's given people to be their least selves, their 161 00:11:29,320 --> 00:11:30,360 Speaker 3: worst selves. 162 00:11:30,800 --> 00:11:41,000 Speaker 2: Two allow people to humanize an entire multiple communities, to 163 00:11:41,080 --> 00:11:48,200 Speaker 2: make it okay to hate, to put racist and white 164 00:11:48,240 --> 00:11:55,760 Speaker 2: supremacists and homophobes and all of these people on equal 165 00:11:55,800 --> 00:12:00,520 Speaker 2: footing with people who are doing good in the world, 166 00:12:00,920 --> 00:12:07,920 Speaker 2: and showed love and educating people on why it's important 167 00:12:07,920 --> 00:12:10,320 Speaker 2: for us to understand and value the ways that we 168 00:12:10,360 --> 00:12:13,679 Speaker 2: are different. That that's part of being a part of 169 00:12:13,720 --> 00:12:16,560 Speaker 2: the human race and part of being a society of 170 00:12:16,600 --> 00:12:21,920 Speaker 2: a government that actually functions. So it's louder. I mean 171 00:12:21,960 --> 00:12:23,920 Speaker 2: I also, you know, I just saw a few weeks 172 00:12:23,960 --> 00:12:29,000 Speaker 2: ago the Judy Bloom documentary where she goes in detail 173 00:12:29,040 --> 00:12:32,040 Speaker 2: about her experience during the book bands during the Reagan years, 174 00:12:32,480 --> 00:12:35,120 Speaker 2: and you listen to that language, and it is the 175 00:12:35,240 --> 00:12:39,760 Speaker 2: exact same language being used today, but it was about 176 00:12:39,840 --> 00:12:44,840 Speaker 2: it was more about like you know, straight sex and 177 00:12:44,960 --> 00:12:48,360 Speaker 2: teen books, and you know, they didn't want they didn't 178 00:12:48,440 --> 00:12:51,360 Speaker 2: want us to know about ourselves. Right now they are 179 00:12:51,440 --> 00:12:53,960 Speaker 2: our body to know our bodies, and now they don't 180 00:12:53,960 --> 00:12:56,960 Speaker 2: want us to know about anybody else's different experience. Right, 181 00:12:57,440 --> 00:13:06,040 Speaker 2: So it's the same bulk, and it's just louder. But 182 00:13:06,160 --> 00:13:08,720 Speaker 2: I truly believe that it's a minority of people. I 183 00:13:08,800 --> 00:13:13,200 Speaker 2: really do. I just think they're louder. And you know, 184 00:13:15,880 --> 00:13:25,160 Speaker 2: there is such a fear of cancelation that this is 185 00:13:25,200 --> 00:13:28,679 Speaker 2: different too. Right, So now you have people who really 186 00:13:28,720 --> 00:13:31,720 Speaker 2: would want to stand up. I'm thinking about like corporations 187 00:13:31,720 --> 00:13:36,320 Speaker 2: and allies who have historically stood with us and now 188 00:13:36,320 --> 00:13:44,000 Speaker 2: are fearful, ye of speaking because they're afraid of the backlash. 189 00:13:44,120 --> 00:13:47,120 Speaker 2: But My message to them is, you know, this is 190 00:13:47,160 --> 00:13:49,960 Speaker 2: when we need you the most. We don't need we 191 00:13:49,960 --> 00:13:51,880 Speaker 2: don't need you as much when we're when we're doing 192 00:13:51,920 --> 00:13:56,440 Speaker 2: well right like that's easy. We need you when we're 193 00:13:56,440 --> 00:14:02,600 Speaker 2: being attacked. We need corporations and leaders and adults and 194 00:14:02,720 --> 00:14:10,079 Speaker 2: teachers and administrations and school boards to stand up against 195 00:14:10,120 --> 00:14:14,160 Speaker 2: this ignorance, because we all know that it's ignorance, you know. 196 00:14:14,559 --> 00:14:21,680 Speaker 2: So I urge people to use their voices at this 197 00:14:21,840 --> 00:14:25,240 Speaker 2: time because it's the only way we're going to be 198 00:14:25,240 --> 00:14:27,560 Speaker 2: able to get through it. We have to be vhicle. 199 00:14:28,000 --> 00:14:30,640 Speaker 2: We have to educate ourselves. You know. Glisten has a 200 00:14:30,760 --> 00:14:36,160 Speaker 2: navigator a map on our website glisten dot org. You 201 00:14:36,200 --> 00:14:39,680 Speaker 2: can go on this map and you can click on 202 00:14:39,720 --> 00:14:45,400 Speaker 2: your state and you can actually see the climate of 203 00:14:45,440 --> 00:14:49,160 Speaker 2: your school system in your state, the laws that are 204 00:14:49,560 --> 00:14:53,160 Speaker 2: that we need pass there, the laws that have been 205 00:14:53,240 --> 00:14:56,440 Speaker 2: passed there in order to oppress us that we need 206 00:14:56,480 --> 00:15:00,000 Speaker 2: to fight back over. You know, you can educate yourself 207 00:15:00,040 --> 00:15:05,600 Speaker 2: and find ways to do something about it on this website. 208 00:15:06,000 --> 00:15:09,080 Speaker 2: That's our that's part of our job, and we urge 209 00:15:09,080 --> 00:15:12,520 Speaker 2: you to sign the pledge to rise up for LGBTQ. 210 00:15:12,640 --> 00:15:15,320 Speaker 2: Plus students because it matters, you know, when when the 211 00:15:16,800 --> 00:15:19,320 Speaker 2: when they don't say gay bills came out. One of 212 00:15:19,360 --> 00:15:23,040 Speaker 2: the things that Glisten did was put was partner with 213 00:15:23,080 --> 00:15:26,800 Speaker 2: local groups in Florida and put up these billboards all 214 00:15:26,800 --> 00:15:31,880 Speaker 2: around the state so that students weren't just hearing the lies. 215 00:15:32,360 --> 00:15:35,640 Speaker 2: You could go, they could actually see a visible display 216 00:15:35,760 --> 00:15:39,120 Speaker 2: of support. That's important when you think about young people 217 00:15:39,280 --> 00:15:42,960 Speaker 2: and their state of minds at this at this time. So, 218 00:15:43,160 --> 00:15:46,600 Speaker 2: you know, I urge people to find ways to be 219 00:15:46,960 --> 00:15:54,240 Speaker 2: vocally and visibly supportive of LGBTQ plus students. 220 00:15:56,040 --> 00:15:58,520 Speaker 1: I want to switch gears for a moment because you, 221 00:15:58,800 --> 00:16:02,680 Speaker 1: like I said at the beginning, or multiple hats and 222 00:16:02,880 --> 00:16:07,920 Speaker 1: that of of actor, and you have been very vocal 223 00:16:07,960 --> 00:16:11,040 Speaker 1: on your social media, very vocal on your platforms about 224 00:16:11,680 --> 00:16:15,840 Speaker 1: the strikes right and about you know, I think that 225 00:16:16,000 --> 00:16:18,640 Speaker 1: during this time, at least for myself, I will say, 226 00:16:19,160 --> 00:16:22,520 Speaker 1: got a real education and in the machine that is Hollywood, 227 00:16:23,800 --> 00:16:28,080 Speaker 1: got a real education on you know, those stars. You 228 00:16:28,120 --> 00:16:31,920 Speaker 1: know that we see that bank the hundreds of millions 229 00:16:32,080 --> 00:16:37,040 Speaker 1: right are far and few between the actual engine of people, yes, 230 00:16:37,080 --> 00:16:40,120 Speaker 1: that make this glittery place go. And so I just 231 00:16:40,160 --> 00:16:43,440 Speaker 1: want to give you an opportunity to talk about that 232 00:16:43,640 --> 00:16:47,920 Speaker 1: strike and why it's important and why now. 233 00:16:47,960 --> 00:16:54,920 Speaker 4: Frankly, Yeah, well, I'm happy to report from what I'm 234 00:16:54,920 --> 00:16:59,400 Speaker 4: hearing that there are some actual negotiations finally happening. 235 00:16:59,440 --> 00:17:05,520 Speaker 2: Good. And I say finally because the way they approached 236 00:17:05,600 --> 00:17:08,400 Speaker 2: us from the beginning it was very much the way 237 00:17:08,440 --> 00:17:11,880 Speaker 2: that we're treated on set, which is, you know, there's 238 00:17:13,000 --> 00:17:17,960 Speaker 2: a tendency to infantilize actors, right, there's a very little respect, 239 00:17:18,520 --> 00:17:21,200 Speaker 2: you know, when you feel like you have to have 240 00:17:21,280 --> 00:17:24,840 Speaker 2: an ad follow your actors around in order to make 241 00:17:24,880 --> 00:17:27,040 Speaker 2: sure that they're doing their job right, you know, to 242 00:17:27,119 --> 00:17:30,040 Speaker 2: walk them to and from set. And you know, there's 243 00:17:30,280 --> 00:17:32,879 Speaker 2: a mindset that these are you know, babies that you 244 00:17:32,880 --> 00:17:37,679 Speaker 2: were babysitting. We're we are we are actors, we are 245 00:17:37,720 --> 00:17:44,959 Speaker 2: are professionals, we are you know, we have trained in 246 00:17:45,000 --> 00:17:49,800 Speaker 2: a skill. So and we're making you millions of dollars 247 00:17:50,320 --> 00:17:54,159 Speaker 2: of millions of dollars right with the skill. And to 248 00:17:54,280 --> 00:17:56,879 Speaker 2: treat us as if we have no agency and we 249 00:17:57,000 --> 00:18:03,480 Speaker 2: have no right to to demand better pay, a better 250 00:18:04,119 --> 00:18:08,160 Speaker 2: structure for residuals that has been outdated. The reason why 251 00:18:08,560 --> 00:18:12,680 Speaker 2: we were doing this now is because over and over again. 252 00:18:13,800 --> 00:18:16,520 Speaker 2: Even in my lifetime. You know, we went from uh 253 00:18:16,680 --> 00:18:19,400 Speaker 2: four network, three networks to four. I remember when Fox 254 00:18:19,440 --> 00:18:24,800 Speaker 2: came out, that's all my assets. So we went from 255 00:18:24,880 --> 00:18:32,280 Speaker 2: four networks to cable to basic cable, to DVDs to streaming. 256 00:18:32,920 --> 00:18:36,680 Speaker 2: So every time there was a new paradigm, there was 257 00:18:36,720 --> 00:18:41,440 Speaker 2: a new platform, the producers would come to us and say, well, 258 00:18:41,520 --> 00:18:44,240 Speaker 2: you know, it's a new media. This is this is 259 00:18:44,280 --> 00:18:46,280 Speaker 2: a brand new thing. We don't know how it's gonna work, 260 00:18:46,400 --> 00:18:49,960 Speaker 2: so just give us time and then you know, once 261 00:18:50,040 --> 00:18:53,600 Speaker 2: it's once it's up and running, then we'll get to you. No, 262 00:18:53,800 --> 00:18:56,080 Speaker 2: that's not gonna work anymore, because they never get back 263 00:18:56,119 --> 00:18:59,359 Speaker 2: to us. Yeah, then things never change. And we just 264 00:18:59,440 --> 00:19:06,800 Speaker 2: went through a worldwide pandemic in which people streamed all 265 00:19:06,840 --> 00:19:09,520 Speaker 2: of our work and proudly that we got to help 266 00:19:09,560 --> 00:19:13,040 Speaker 2: people get through that really difficult time with our work. 267 00:19:14,760 --> 00:19:18,400 Speaker 2: But the sad truth is is that when inflation hit, 268 00:19:18,760 --> 00:19:24,119 Speaker 2: and even before inflation, we weren't even breaking even with residuals. 269 00:19:24,359 --> 00:19:26,439 Speaker 2: So then when we came when we came to the 270 00:19:26,520 --> 00:19:29,399 Speaker 2: table and we presented a way to a you know, 271 00:19:29,520 --> 00:19:33,919 Speaker 2: keep up with the cost of living and inflation's rise, 272 00:19:34,520 --> 00:19:38,119 Speaker 2: they gave us an offer that was actually putting us 273 00:19:38,160 --> 00:19:40,800 Speaker 2: at a point where we were making less than we 274 00:19:40,800 --> 00:19:45,200 Speaker 2: were in twenty twenty. How is that a fair deal? 275 00:19:45,680 --> 00:19:48,400 Speaker 2: How is that solving the problem. And we're using an 276 00:19:48,480 --> 00:19:54,600 Speaker 2: old structure based on network television and rids that doesn't 277 00:19:54,600 --> 00:19:57,040 Speaker 2: exist anymore. I mean, it exists on those platforms, but 278 00:19:57,119 --> 00:19:59,680 Speaker 2: it doesn't work for streaming. That's not how it works. 279 00:19:59,680 --> 00:20:03,520 Speaker 2: And they know it doesn't work. Uh So that's why 280 00:20:03,920 --> 00:20:07,720 Speaker 2: it's one of the reasons why we're we're staying solid 281 00:20:07,720 --> 00:20:12,399 Speaker 2: in our stance. And AI, you cannot tell me that 282 00:20:12,480 --> 00:20:17,359 Speaker 2: you're going to pay me one hundred dollars as a 283 00:20:17,400 --> 00:20:21,960 Speaker 2: background actor to scan my entire body and then use 284 00:20:22,000 --> 00:20:23,639 Speaker 2: it in perpetuity. 285 00:20:24,920 --> 00:20:27,200 Speaker 1: To do what It's insane, insane. 286 00:20:27,640 --> 00:20:31,720 Speaker 2: So they know it's insane. But then they they you know, 287 00:20:31,760 --> 00:20:35,359 Speaker 2: the their communication to to the to the to the 288 00:20:35,400 --> 00:20:37,639 Speaker 2: world is you know, we're asking for too much. No, 289 00:20:37,720 --> 00:20:43,040 Speaker 2: we're asking to be respected right for our work and 290 00:20:43,119 --> 00:20:49,199 Speaker 2: to be paid in a fair way. That doesn't uh 291 00:20:49,280 --> 00:20:53,919 Speaker 2: that that that that that acknowledges that things have changed, right, 292 00:20:54,400 --> 00:20:59,960 Speaker 2: welcome to this new paradigm that you created, right, So yeah, 293 00:21:00,119 --> 00:21:03,840 Speaker 2: have to pay for it. So I'm excited to hear, 294 00:21:04,040 --> 00:21:07,119 Speaker 2: you know, where these negotiations land. You know, I was 295 00:21:07,200 --> 00:21:12,240 Speaker 2: part of a letter that thousands of actors signed that said, 296 00:21:12,640 --> 00:21:15,840 Speaker 2: you know, we've come this far. Don't stop now and 297 00:21:15,920 --> 00:21:18,600 Speaker 2: settle for any for just anything. You know, we came 298 00:21:18,680 --> 00:21:22,359 Speaker 2: here with a goal. We would like us to see 299 00:21:22,359 --> 00:21:24,960 Speaker 2: that goal achieved, or at least get as close to 300 00:21:25,000 --> 00:21:28,000 Speaker 2: it as we possibly can. But this paradigm worring right 301 00:21:28,000 --> 00:21:29,960 Speaker 2: now isn't going to work anymore. 302 00:21:30,840 --> 00:21:34,640 Speaker 1: And I honestly think that, you know, the actors strike, 303 00:21:34,840 --> 00:21:38,119 Speaker 1: the writer's strike, you know, has it really set the 304 00:21:38,200 --> 00:21:42,760 Speaker 1: stage in a lot of ways for its duration to 305 00:21:44,960 --> 00:21:50,920 Speaker 1: have workers across industries recognize that you're not being paid 306 00:21:50,960 --> 00:21:54,000 Speaker 1: your worth. Right that just keeping your head above water, 307 00:21:54,400 --> 00:21:57,480 Speaker 1: whether it's a pandemic that hits, whether it's an emergency 308 00:21:57,520 --> 00:22:01,560 Speaker 1: bill that hits, you should be able to live without that, 309 00:22:02,000 --> 00:22:04,879 Speaker 1: without that level of economic security if you are working 310 00:22:04,920 --> 00:22:08,480 Speaker 1: full time right like that, that is just the reality. 311 00:22:09,000 --> 00:22:15,160 Speaker 2: And you know, we, I think everyone during the height 312 00:22:15,200 --> 00:22:17,080 Speaker 2: of the pandemic, because let's not forget we are still 313 00:22:17,080 --> 00:22:20,439 Speaker 2: in it. At the height of the pandemic, when we 314 00:22:20,440 --> 00:22:23,119 Speaker 2: were locked up at home, we had a lot of 315 00:22:23,119 --> 00:22:28,800 Speaker 2: time on our hands and realized how little we were 316 00:22:28,840 --> 00:22:32,879 Speaker 2: settling for and that isn't that wasn't going to be 317 00:22:32,920 --> 00:22:37,320 Speaker 2: acceptable anymore. And you see it happening with the auto workers. Yes, 318 00:22:37,440 --> 00:22:43,919 Speaker 2: see it at hospital workers, you see at hotels in California, teachers, 319 00:22:44,080 --> 00:22:48,760 Speaker 2: everyone knows that what you know, it just wasn't working anymore. 320 00:22:48,760 --> 00:22:54,879 Speaker 2: We we we were literally living, you know, hand them out. Yeah, 321 00:22:55,680 --> 00:22:58,680 Speaker 2: I mean I have nightmare story after nightmare story that 322 00:22:58,720 --> 00:23:01,840 Speaker 2: I could tell you as an actor, you know, and 323 00:23:01,920 --> 00:23:05,960 Speaker 2: the things that I allowed myself, the ways that I 324 00:23:06,000 --> 00:23:09,199 Speaker 2: have allowed myself to be treated in order to do 325 00:23:09,280 --> 00:23:11,280 Speaker 2: what I love because it's a dream, right. And that's 326 00:23:11,280 --> 00:23:14,879 Speaker 2: the other thing, you know, we people are so so 327 00:23:15,000 --> 00:23:17,280 Speaker 2: quick to say, well, you know, you know it's part 328 00:23:17,320 --> 00:23:20,800 Speaker 2: of struggle, is part of being an actor or being 329 00:23:20,800 --> 00:23:25,679 Speaker 2: an artist. Well why do we accept that? Right? You know, 330 00:23:25,800 --> 00:23:33,560 Speaker 2: in France they actually subsidize artists. The government subsidizes artists. 331 00:23:33,600 --> 00:23:36,639 Speaker 2: Not a great deal, but you know, there's there's like 332 00:23:36,680 --> 00:23:40,120 Speaker 2: a stipend that because they value what art brings to 333 00:23:40,160 --> 00:23:44,879 Speaker 2: their society. It's a way that we we it's a 334 00:23:45,000 --> 00:23:49,000 Speaker 2: national conversation that we have to have. You know, I 335 00:23:49,480 --> 00:23:51,679 Speaker 2: can I'm not supposed to promote my own work. But 336 00:23:52,200 --> 00:23:54,639 Speaker 2: you know, when I think about Ricky Vasquez and what 337 00:23:54,720 --> 00:23:58,560 Speaker 2: he was able to do for a generation of young people, 338 00:23:58,800 --> 00:24:02,919 Speaker 2: queer people of color, and I think about what we 339 00:24:02,960 --> 00:24:05,639 Speaker 2: did on the franchise I'm on now, you know, in 340 00:24:05,760 --> 00:24:10,920 Speaker 2: order to have a conversation about diversity, real diversity in 341 00:24:10,960 --> 00:24:15,360 Speaker 2: the future and who we value and our values in general. 342 00:24:16,560 --> 00:24:20,320 Speaker 2: That's a service, that is a that is ah that 343 00:24:20,440 --> 00:24:26,119 Speaker 2: is a value that we add to culture, to society, 344 00:24:26,280 --> 00:24:30,360 Speaker 2: to the way that we think about ourselves. I think 345 00:24:30,400 --> 00:24:33,640 Speaker 2: that's valuable, yeah, and we should be compensated for it. 346 00:24:33,920 --> 00:24:36,320 Speaker 1: And I think that that's that's the thing, is that 347 00:24:37,040 --> 00:24:41,080 Speaker 1: we should all be compensated for what it is that 348 00:24:41,119 --> 00:24:44,160 Speaker 1: we offer, and that we are all of value regardless 349 00:24:44,160 --> 00:24:46,920 Speaker 1: of what it is that we produce. But certainly when 350 00:24:46,960 --> 00:24:49,800 Speaker 1: we are producing something that we should be able to 351 00:24:49,840 --> 00:24:52,280 Speaker 1: see the fruits of that labor and not just see 352 00:24:52,320 --> 00:24:54,840 Speaker 1: it in terms of rocket ships that are going into 353 00:24:54,840 --> 00:24:58,040 Speaker 1: out of space with billionaires and you know, and and 354 00:24:58,720 --> 00:25:01,160 Speaker 1: the like. The last question that I have for you, 355 00:25:01,560 --> 00:25:03,600 Speaker 1: my friend, and thank you for being so gracious with 356 00:25:03,680 --> 00:25:08,280 Speaker 1: your time, is, you know, people are struggling with hope 357 00:25:09,000 --> 00:25:12,560 Speaker 1: right now. They are struggling with hope, they are struggling 358 00:25:12,680 --> 00:25:15,800 Speaker 1: to find light, they are struggling to be the light. 359 00:25:16,359 --> 00:25:19,600 Speaker 1: And I just want, you know, to ask you what 360 00:25:19,760 --> 00:25:23,240 Speaker 1: are you doing? You know, how are you holding on 361 00:25:23,480 --> 00:25:26,880 Speaker 1: to hope in this time? And what you know, what 362 00:25:26,920 --> 00:25:29,840 Speaker 1: do you offer to others that that are that find 363 00:25:29,840 --> 00:25:30,920 Speaker 1: themselves in darkness. 364 00:25:31,240 --> 00:25:35,080 Speaker 2: It's a great and necessary question. And I'll tell you 365 00:25:35,119 --> 00:25:37,920 Speaker 2: the thing that has gotten me through this year specifically, 366 00:25:38,840 --> 00:25:40,679 Speaker 2: and it's one of the reasons why I feel so 367 00:25:40,840 --> 00:25:45,960 Speaker 2: strongly about advocating for inclusive curriculum is I've gone back 368 00:25:46,800 --> 00:25:50,960 Speaker 2: and reminded myself of our history. You know, I read, 369 00:25:51,160 --> 00:25:58,560 Speaker 2: I reread Eric Servini's book The Debiant War, which which 370 00:25:58,720 --> 00:26:03,560 Speaker 2: tracks the the progress, let's call it, of Frank Cameny 371 00:26:03,760 --> 00:26:09,560 Speaker 2: and his case against the United States. But in that book, 372 00:26:09,600 --> 00:26:12,840 Speaker 2: it's also you know, he also covers Sylvia Rivera, he 373 00:26:12,880 --> 00:26:16,879 Speaker 2: covers Marsha P. Johnson. And when I go back and 374 00:26:16,960 --> 00:26:21,200 Speaker 2: I read about what they endured, what they were able 375 00:26:21,280 --> 00:26:26,960 Speaker 2: to do in a moment when we weren't talking about pride, 376 00:26:27,760 --> 00:26:34,720 Speaker 2: where the feeling that was overwhelming was shame. And it's 377 00:26:34,760 --> 00:26:37,040 Speaker 2: what they're trying to do now. They're trying to shame 378 00:26:37,160 --> 00:26:40,600 Speaker 2: us into silence again. They're trying to shove us back 379 00:26:40,600 --> 00:26:43,240 Speaker 2: in the closet, trying to make us feel like we 380 00:26:43,280 --> 00:26:45,800 Speaker 2: can't be who we are in public. When I go 381 00:26:45,920 --> 00:26:48,240 Speaker 2: back and read about what they were able to do 382 00:26:49,640 --> 00:26:53,439 Speaker 2: that they demanded that we'd be proud of who we 383 00:26:53,480 --> 00:26:57,600 Speaker 2: are and that people respect us. When we were literally 384 00:26:57,640 --> 00:27:01,960 Speaker 2: called deviance. We were, you know, we were still considered 385 00:27:01,960 --> 00:27:06,200 Speaker 2: by psychiatrists as sick. Yep, right, yea, And yet they 386 00:27:06,320 --> 00:27:10,399 Speaker 2: changed the conversation at a really dark time. We're not 387 00:27:10,480 --> 00:27:13,640 Speaker 2: in that place. We could be. They're trying to get 388 00:27:13,680 --> 00:27:15,400 Speaker 2: us back there, but we're not in that place now. 389 00:27:15,760 --> 00:27:18,560 Speaker 2: So my hope lies in the fact that we know 390 00:27:18,720 --> 00:27:22,960 Speaker 2: better now that we're armed with all that Frank and 391 00:27:23,119 --> 00:27:27,879 Speaker 2: Sylvia and Marcia gave us. And my hope is that 392 00:27:27,960 --> 00:27:32,080 Speaker 2: we rise up and use what they taught us to 393 00:27:32,160 --> 00:27:35,840 Speaker 2: fight back to say no, we won't be silenced, No 394 00:27:36,400 --> 00:27:40,640 Speaker 2: we won't be shamed about who we are, and yes, 395 00:27:40,720 --> 00:27:43,560 Speaker 2: we will take care of our students, we will take 396 00:27:43,600 --> 00:27:46,960 Speaker 2: care of our parents and teachers, and yes we will 397 00:27:47,000 --> 00:27:51,600 Speaker 2: demand that we let our students live up to their 398 00:27:51,640 --> 00:27:56,439 Speaker 2: potential because we all, we all gain something from that 399 00:27:57,760 --> 00:28:02,680 Speaker 2: our true democracy. I love it. 400 00:28:02,960 --> 00:28:06,959 Speaker 1: I love it. I am so appreciative for you, your voice, 401 00:28:07,080 --> 00:28:11,119 Speaker 1: your advocacy. I think that Glisten made you know the 402 00:28:11,320 --> 00:28:13,639 Speaker 1: that's choice in terms of having you. 403 00:28:14,320 --> 00:28:16,320 Speaker 2: Yeah, I'm glad you think so. Thank you. I mean, 404 00:28:16,400 --> 00:28:19,639 Speaker 2: I honestly, honestly, they took it, took them, took me 405 00:28:19,680 --> 00:28:22,760 Speaker 2: a minute to agree. But like I said, because I'm 406 00:28:22,760 --> 00:28:27,960 Speaker 2: doing it with these amazing people, I'm more than willing 407 00:28:28,000 --> 00:28:30,120 Speaker 2: to do it. And I don't have any kids. I'm 408 00:28:30,119 --> 00:28:34,760 Speaker 2: about to turn fifty in a couple of months and 409 00:28:34,840 --> 00:28:36,760 Speaker 2: I don't have any children. You know, I've been trying 410 00:28:36,800 --> 00:28:41,360 Speaker 2: to deal with my career, but these students are mine. Yeah, 411 00:28:41,400 --> 00:28:45,480 Speaker 2: these students are my generation that I have responsibility to, 412 00:28:46,160 --> 00:28:47,960 Speaker 2: and so this is my way of stepping up and 413 00:28:48,000 --> 00:28:50,640 Speaker 2: making sure that I'm leaving their schools and this place 414 00:28:51,480 --> 00:28:53,680 Speaker 2: at least better than I found it. 415 00:28:54,520 --> 00:29:00,720 Speaker 1: Amazing. Well, thank you, my friend, Wilson Cruz. You are brilliant, badass. 416 00:29:01,080 --> 00:29:05,400 Speaker 1: You are just you make fifty, are almost fifty with 417 00:29:05,520 --> 00:29:07,520 Speaker 1: my air quotes look pretty fucking good. 418 00:29:07,680 --> 00:29:09,320 Speaker 2: So I'm trying. I'm trying. 419 00:29:10,760 --> 00:29:13,880 Speaker 1: You give us all. HOLD appreciate you, and. 420 00:29:13,920 --> 00:29:16,000 Speaker 2: I appreciate your voice. And I appreciate what you do 421 00:29:16,040 --> 00:29:17,880 Speaker 2: with your show. I really do. Thank you for doing it, 422 00:29:17,880 --> 00:29:20,320 Speaker 2: thank you for having these conversations and reminding us that 423 00:29:20,560 --> 00:29:23,040 Speaker 2: we have power to and that we yes, you know what, 424 00:29:23,360 --> 00:29:28,760 Speaker 2: and I'm proud to be woke as fuck. Yeah yeah, 425 00:29:28,800 --> 00:29:31,760 Speaker 2: I love it all right, my darling. 426 00:29:36,720 --> 00:29:39,360 Speaker 1: That is it for me today, dear friends on Woke 427 00:29:39,360 --> 00:29:42,320 Speaker 1: a f as always, Power to the people and to 428 00:29:42,480 --> 00:29:46,120 Speaker 1: all the people. Power, get woke and stay woke as fuck.