Donald Trump was the latest 2016 presidential hopeful to take to the stage at 30 Rock last night, when he hosted the newest episode of “Saturday Night Live.” While there may have been some lukewarm laughs inside the studio, Trump’s appearance sparked plenty of protests outside.

SNL gave Donald Trump only roughly 12 minutes of airtime (possibly in recognition of the “equal opportunity” time rule that would require NBC to give free time to the other candidates as well.) But he spent that time on an opening monologue, his own rendition of Drake’s “Hotline Bling” video, and was the recipient of some major barbs on the “Weekend Update” sketch. But, one of the most noteworthy moments was when Larry David, who reprised his role as Bernie Sanders, yelled “Trump’s a racist!” In the (clearly scripted) subsequent exchange, David then explained “I heard they’d give me $5,000.”

Larry David couldn’t miss this opportunity. #SNLhttps://t.co/CQ3y2BxUtK

— Saturday Night Live (@nbcsnl) November 8, 2015

The “they” that David was referring to were the protesters, who disagreed strongly with NBC’s decision to have Trump host the show. The protestors, who mostly take issue with Trump’s previous comments on immigrants, had previously tried to push NBC to “Dump Trump” and not allow him onto the show. When they were unsuccessful, they took to the streets outside the NBC studios. DeportRacism.com, which is a site involved in the protests, also offered $5000 to anyone willing to interrupt Trump’s performance–hence David’s interruption.

The protestors outside chanted slogans like “Hey hey, ho ho, racism has got to go!” It’s estimated that roughly 200 people showed up to protest. They also took to social media with hashtags like #DumpTrump and #RacismIsntFunny.

Our gratitude to the folks outside @rockcenternyc #solidarity #DumpTrumpOnSNL #RacismIsntFunny pic.twitter.com/jKKL9yHh7s

— Jose Antonio Vargas (@joseiswriting) November 8, 2015

Live, from New York, it’s racism and bigotry! #DumpTrump #RacismIsntFunny — Jan Schakowsky (@janschakowsky) November 8, 2015

“Racism isn’t funny. It’s lazy and it’s cheap.” Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) urges SNL to #DumpTrump: https://t.co/9TzcWdUPQu — AJ+ (@ajplus) November 6, 2015

The protestors made an important point, but Trump did end up taking the stage at “Saturday Night Live” after all. While last night garnered SNL its highest ratings in years, most critics have panned the episode overall. But whether or not Trump’s appearance will affect his still-high poll numbers will have to be seen. 

Anneliese Mahoney

Anneliese Mahoney is Managing Editor at Law Street and a Connecticut transplant to Washington D.C. She has a Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs from the George Washington University, and a passion for law, politics, and social issues. Contact Anneliese at amahoney@LawStreetMedia.com.

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Six months out of law school, I’m finding myself starting over personally, professionally, and even socially.  Some, but not all, of my friends totally understand where I’m coming from with regard to this sentiment.  One of these friends is Drake (naturally, because we’re both half-Jewish, Canadian former child stars turned world-famous rappers).  You didn’t know?

You guys! I double majored!

When I started work after college, I was really at the bottom of the bottom.  I accepted my status because I only had a bachelor’s degree.  Not just any kind of Bachelor’s Degree- A bachelor of Arts.  The B.A. in 2013 is like…a three legged puppy.  It’s cute and it has endless possibilities, but its path takes a little bit longer. A lot of people can be successful with them, but most of us have to spend two to four additional (miserable) years in graduate programs so that our salaries can catch up to our lifestyles.  And by most of us, I mean liberal arts majors.

“What are these lifestyles,” you ask? Oh, you know, just trying to live in a nice apartment with MAYBE one roommate, while still being able to afford things like food, clothing, entertainment, and repayments to a horrible woman named Sallie Mae.  (If you haven’t met her yet, trust me when I say she’s garbage).

I’m super anti-guns, and this is NOT a literal interpretation of how I feel about educational debt. It’s close though.

I’ve got a J.D. and I’m working! #Winning!

Trying to rediscover having nights and weekends to myself is tricky.  Knowing that there are no more winter, spring, and summer breaks is depressing. Contemplating grown-up stuff like 401Ks, a savings account, and navigating the treacherous terrain that is a Thursday night happy hour is stressful. We’re at the bottom, and trying to get to wherever the heck “here” is located. Or at least I’m not “here,” despite being a law school graduate for half a year.  Doesn’t that count for something?  Oh.  No?  Still at the bottom.

And it’s the same at work!  Let’s say you’ve gotten a new job.  Even if the job isn’t a perfect fit for you, it’s nice to be productive, learn through professional experiences, and become a cog that helps your organization continue to be a well-oiled machine.

However, there is a lot of bureaucracy in certain jobs, and a lot of steps that are necessary solely because that’s how it’s been done in the past.  Sometimes these steps aren’t helpful, and are relics of a different time.  In other words, they suck.

Law School Prepared Me for this…right?

In 2013, I’m not sure if I need sexual harassment training to let me know that it’s inappropriate to call a female co-worker “baby” or “honey,” and I definitely don’t need to be reminded that I shouldn’t offer said female co-worker a massage.  I’m not Don Draper. Also, the Friends episode where Chandler’s boss kept slapping him on the butt taught me all I need to know about where my hands can and cannot go.

Conversely, there isn’t training with regard to other types of workplace discrimination. The Senate recently passed an anti-bias gay-rights bill.  This bill seeks to combat the lack of explicit protections with regard to sexual orientation in the workplace. Areas like this are where employers should be putting their training muster, methinks.  BUT WHO AM I?

I can’t suggest that! I’m the new guy.  I sit quietly and listen to all of the banter that definitely would NOT pass the “safe space” test of my small, liberal arts college. Alas, I ride the wave until I move up the totem pole.  You know…”here.”

And when being at the bottom gets to be too much, just say to yourself, “just hold on, we’re going home.”

See? Just like Drake.

—

Peter Davidson is a recent graduate of law school who rants about news & politics and raves over the ups & downs of FUNemployment in the current legal economy.

Featured image courtesy of [ken Sutherland via Flickr]

[.gifs provided by @tkylemac and MTV Buzzworthy, duh.]

Peter Davidson II

Peter Davidson is a recent law school graduate who rants about news & politics and raves over the ups & downs of FUNemployment in the current legal economy. Contact Peter at staff@LawStreetMedia.com.

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