It's always fun when Twitter decides to bring things back from the dead. Thanks to one enterprising Twitter user, we all got a glimpse of a ridiculous local TV interview featuring a composed Black woman thoroughly gathering a white reporter who intended on making her look bad.
Memphis, protect this woman. pic.twitter.com/K9EyuJC49E
— After5ivePod (@After5ivePod) April 26, 2020
The clip is from a 2015 interview between Fox13 reporter Trey Paul and Terri Oliver, the director of The Academy Childcare and Preschool in Memphis. In January 2015, 22-year-old suspected drug dealer Terrell Phillips was being chased by police before he forced his way into Oliver's daycare center.
Oliver and other employees of the daycare attempted to keep Phillips out, but he pushed the door in. They eventually were able to get him out of the building, and Phillips was later arrested and charged with possession of cocaine with intent to sell, criminal trespass, evading arrest and driving without a seat belt.
However, throughout the interview, Paul tried to place blame on Oliver for the situation, repeatedly asking her the same questions. Despite his questions, Oliver stood firm in explaining what happened and applauded her team for following their security procedures.
Fox13 deleted the story after backlash at the time and fired Paul for his conduct, but the story can still be found online.
Here are some of the best Twitter responses to the clip.
None of the responses could match that of Oliver's son who tweeted about the clip after it went viral.
Okay so two fun facts.
1. This is my mom.
2. The camera man got fired immediately after this.Things you love to see: It. https://t.co/gPFIZxtvU3
— Elivisuals (@Elivisuals) April 27, 2020
He mistook the cameraman for Paul, but his reply was hilarious regardless.
*the reporter got fired.
The cameraman is good! He and my mom met a few years later by chance ????
— Elivisuals (@Elivisuals) April 27, 2020
The original Twitter user added that there was even more of the interview that he couldn't fit in the first tweet.
YALL THERE’S MORE. ???? pic.twitter.com/4eVzV3BsL9
— After5ivePod (@After5ivePod) April 28, 2020
Most of the responses ranged from anger at Paul for his conduct and confusion about why he felt the need to badger Oliver for something that was not her fault.
Why was he trying to provoke this woman? I'm proud of how unbothered she remained. His corny ass was really reaching. pic.twitter.com/LJzJre2jcN
— ????⚜???????????? ???????????????? ????????????????????????????⚜???? (@madonnabema) April 27, 2020
See that’s white people problem they don’t listen they want to manipulate everything you say into something negative
— LeZZy???? (@Sayg0odbye_) April 27, 2020
One Twitter user even pulled out the Bernie Sanders meme.
She said pic.twitter.com/Gkvy7nYp1J
— josh (@josharooo) April 27, 2020
Most responses highlighted the racism inherent in Paul's questions, essentially implying that Oliver was at fault.
The racism jumped out. He was attacking her period. Trying make it seem that her and her business did something wrong. But she’s smarter, I Stan
— Danielle (@DanielleElese_) April 27, 2020
Wow. You can really tell she has a hell of a lot of experience trying to patiently explain things to humans with the intellectual capacity of a child.#respect
— Jen (@jenelaina) April 28, 2020
I wanted to reach through my phone and strangle that damn reporter ???? Could the man have sounded more condescending of a woman who did her job PERFECTLY?
— burner’s burner (@burnersburner1) April 28, 2020
the whole time i could feel her frustration. pic.twitter.com/xFmEDQBJm2
— summer ॐ (@samuriaa) April 27, 2020
What she REALLY wanted to say during the interview pic.twitter.com/cXPKlnw0tp
— King. (@ItsMeAshliB) April 27, 2020
So many responses lauded Oliver for keeping her cool despite facing blatant racism.
What she REALLY wanted to say during the interview pic.twitter.com/cXPKlnw0tp
— King. (@ItsMeAshliB) April 27, 2020
Goes to show black excellence is not about status it’s a mindset
— Cameron Reed (@Moe_Salt) April 26, 2020
One person pointed out the Black excellence that was displayed in the interview.
Goes to show black excellence is not about status it’s a mindset
— Cameron Reed (@Moe_Salt) April 26, 2020
She is giving "per my previous email" energy ????
— Reclaiming My Time (@MzBlkMBA) April 28, 2020
Even other reporters noted that it was obvious what was going on.
misogynoir! I’m a journalist and that’s not journalism. It’s harassment of a Black woman
— Kate Crane (@cratekane) April 28, 2020
Mom saw the setup. Some reporters go in with their spin already planned. He was trying to blame the surrounding businesses for police chasing a suspect. They should have warned local business or had officers stationed in the area for their sting operation https://t.co/BxOE49mD8D
— KD (@Fly_Sistah) April 28, 2020
Most people said Oliver had the kind of patience they wish they had.
I strive to have this much class and eloquence while gathering someone ????
— Kiana C ???? (@xo_kianaxo) April 27, 2020
I need this type of patience because my face and tone would’ve got so stank ????
— imani (@dreammocha_) April 28, 2020
Thankfully, everything worked out well for Oliver. Her business has been up and running for more than 26 years now, and she started a GoFundMe for the daycare's playground, which needs an upgrade.
It’s her 26th year in business, she just bought a new car, and she’ll be finished with her doctorate by the end of the year.
She’s thriving.
— Elivisuals (@Elivisuals) April 27, 2020
Paul moved on to working at a news outlet in Columbia, South Carolina, and had to put his Twitter page on private once the clip went viral again.