Utopia Talk - Politics - R.I.P. Comedian/Civil Rights Activist

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Utopia Talk / Politics / R.I.P. Comedian/Civil Rights Activist

Hot Rod
Revved Up Sun Aug 20 13:15:16

Dick Gregory Dies: The Legendary Stand-Up Comedian And Civil Rights Activist Was 84

by Dino-Ray Ramos
August 19, 2017 7:45pm

Celebrated stand-up comedian and civil rights activist Dick Gregory died today in Washington at the age of 84. The trailblazing figure was hospitalized earlier this month from a yet-to-be-announced medical condition. His official Instagram account announced his death today saying more details will be released soon. Before he died, Gregory was still actively touring and had engagements set up for the forthcoming weeks.

A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Gregory got his start as a stand-up comedian after serving in the military during the mid 1950s. He moved to Chicago to perform comedy professionally and would become part of a new generation of black comedians that included Nipsey Russell, Bill Cosby, and Godfrey Cambridge. In 1958, he opened a night club called the Apex Club. The club eventually closed and a year later he worked as the masters of ceremonies at the Roberts Shaw Club.

With his satirical and audacious comedy style, he continuously pushed the envelope with his material and performed primarily in small black-owned clubs while working as a postal worker. While performing at the Roberts Shaw Club in 1961, he caught the eye of Hugh Hefner. It was then when he received his big break and landed a gig at the Playboy Club in downtown Chicago. He would soon become one of the first black comedians to gain acclaim for performing for white audiences.

Gregory was invited to perform on The Tonight Starring Jack Paar — but he responded to the invite by saying he wouldn’t go on unless he was able to sit on the couch after his routine. He became the first black performer invited to sit and talk with the host on air after his performance.

In 1964, he penned a book titled Nigger which was one of many books he would write. The autobiography followed his impoverished childhood and the racism he experienced. He also went on to appear in his first feature, Sweet Love, Bitter, a story based on the life of Charlie “Bird” Parker

In addition to being a controversial stand-up comedian at the time, Gregory was very active in the civil rights movement. He was deeply involved in activism against the Vietnam War, economic reform, and anti-drug issues. He ran for mayor of Chicago in 1967 and lost against Richard J. Daley, but continued to be involved in electoral politics which included a run for president in 1968.

His activism resonated well into the 21st century. In 2013, he was featured in a Fantagraphics book by Pat Thomas entitled Listen, Whitey: The Sights and Sounds of Black Power 1965–1975, which included the political recordings of the Civil Rights era such as Jesse Jackson, Huey P. Newton, Langston Hughes, and Jesse Jackson. Gregory’s comedic performances were relevant and political and served as groundbreaking social commentary of the time. He would often post on social media to not only continue his comedy hustle, but also his activism. In one specific post, he goes on to talk about his experience in the civil rights movement and how it still rings true today, saying “While so many go out and protest the small evils, the big evils are ever present and welcomed into our homes. From the top to bottom of my heart I say #staywoke”

therealdickgregory

As I approach my 85th revolution around the sun this year, I wonder why has it been so difficult for humankind to be kind. So difficult to be loving and lovable. For my militant brothers and sisters, please don't misconstrue loving and lovable to be weak or submissive. Love will always be triumphant over hate. I know I will not be here forever, nor do I desire to be. I have seen progress like most cannot appreciate because they were not there to bear witness. I dedicated my life to the movement. By doing so, I never thought I'd still be here. So many of my friends are not here. They were cut down by a system of hatred and evil. If they were here, they'd see the progress that I see. The reality is far from perfect, but profoundly better than what daily reality was for my generation. Young folks if you are wise you would talk less and spend more time listening to the elders who saw evil up front and personal everyday. #howlong I've been asking this question for over 40 years! How long before we realize our Universal God given potential? We have made immeasurable progress that cannot be debated. That said, we still have a long way to go. I have no desire to see this all the way through, the dreams I dreamed about 60 years ago have definitively been realized. To the young folks of all ethnicities I say #staywoke not as a catchphrase but as a lifestyle. Most of the things that are killing us are in our minds and our daily routines. The way we think, the "food" we eat and the water we drink or so often don't drink. While so many go out and protest the small evils, the big evils are ever present and welcomed into our homes. From the top to bottom of my heart I say #staywoke Love you to life, DIck Gregory
March 26

He was ranked number 82 on Comedy Central’s list of the 100 Greatest Stand-ups. He was a guest on many radio shows and appeared in Vernon Chatman and John Lee absurdist comedy variety show Wonder Showzen. He also appeared in episodes of Reno 911! and the movie The Hot Chick. In 2016, Emmy-winning Scandal actor Joe Morton played Gregory in the off-Broadway play Turn Me Loose which was produced by John Legend.

Gregory was married to his wife Lillian, who he wed in 1959. They had 11 children together.

http://dea...starring-jack-parr-1202152487/

Paramount
Member Sun Aug 20 16:40:23
Don't know who he was. He was from another era and from another country.

11 children? Isn't that a bit too many?

Imagine that you have 1 or 2 children. Okay. Then imagine that you have 5 or 6 children. Now that's a whole lot of children running around, screaming, demanding attention, food and clothes and things. Not many people could cope with it, I think. But this guy had twice as many. 11 children!

Hot Rod
Revved Up Sun Aug 20 16:42:56

He could afford them. He was a quite successful comic.

show deleted posts

Hot Rod Revved Up	Sun Aug 20 13:15:16 Dick Gregory Dies: The Legendary Stand-Up Comedian And Civil Rights Activist Was 84 by Dino-Ray Ramos August 19, 2017 7:45pm Celebrated stand-up comedian and civil rights activist Dick Gregory died today in Washington at the age of 84. The trailblazing figure was hospitalized earlier this month from a yet-to-be-announced medical condition. His official Instagram account announced his death today saying more details will be released soon. Before he died, Gregory was still actively touring and had engagements set up for the forthcoming weeks. A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Gregory got his start as a stand-up comedian after serving in the military during the mid 1950s. He moved to Chicago to perform comedy professionally and would become part of a new generation of black comedians that included Nipsey Russell, Bill Cosby, and Godfrey Cambridge. In 1958, he opened a night club called the Apex Club. The club eventually closed and a year later he worked as the masters of ceremonies at the Roberts Shaw Club. With his satirical and audacious comedy style, he continuously pushed the envelope with his material and performed primarily in small black-owned clubs while working as a postal worker. While performing at the Roberts Shaw Club in 1961, he caught the eye of Hugh Hefner. It was then when he received his big break and landed a gig at the Playboy Club in downtown Chicago. He would soon become one of the first black comedians to gain acclaim for performing for white audiences. Gregory was invited to perform on The Tonight Starring Jack Paar — but he responded to the invite by saying he wouldn’t go on unless he was able to sit on the couch after his routine. He became the first black performer invited to sit and talk with the host on air after his performance. In 1964, he penned a book titled Nigger which was one of many books he would write. The autobiography followed his impoverished childhood and the racism he experienced. He also went on to appear in his first feature, Sweet Love, Bitter, a story based on the life of Charlie “Bird” Parker In addition to being a controversial stand-up comedian at the time, Gregory was very active in the civil rights movement. He was deeply involved in activism against the Vietnam War, economic reform, and anti-drug issues. He ran for mayor of Chicago in 1967 and lost against Richard J. Daley, but continued to be involved in electoral politics which included a run for president in 1968. His activism resonated well into the 21st century. In 2013, he was featured in a Fantagraphics book by Pat Thomas entitled Listen, Whitey: The Sights and Sounds of Black Power 1965–1975, which included the political recordings of the Civil Rights era such as Jesse Jackson, Huey P. Newton, Langston Hughes, and Jesse Jackson. Gregory’s comedic performances were relevant and political and served as groundbreaking social commentary of the time. He would often post on social media to not only continue his comedy hustle, but also his activism. In one specific post, he goes on to talk about his experience in the civil rights movement and how it still rings true today, saying “While so many go out and protest the small evils, the big evils are ever present and welcomed into our homes. From the top to bottom of my heart I say #staywoke” therealdickgregory As I approach my 85th revolution around the sun this year, I wonder why has it been so difficult for humankind to be kind. So difficult to be loving and lovable. For my militant brothers and sisters, please don't misconstrue loving and lovable to be weak or submissive. Love will always be triumphant over hate. I know I will not be here forever, nor do I desire to be. I have seen progress like most cannot appreciate because they were not there to bear witness. I dedicated my life to the movement. By doing so, I never thought I'd still be here. So many of my friends are not here. They were cut down by a system of hatred and evil. If they were here, they'd see the progress that I see. The reality is far from perfect, but profoundly better than what daily reality was for my generation. Young folks if you are wise you would talk less and spend more time listening to the elders who saw evil up front and personal everyday. #howlong I've been asking this question for over 40 years! How long before we realize our Universal God given potential? We have made immeasurable progress that cannot be debated. That said, we still have a long way to go. I have no desire to see this all the way through, the dreams I dreamed about 60 years ago have definitively been realized. To the young folks of all ethnicities I say #staywoke not as a catchphrase but as a lifestyle. Most of the things that are killing us are in our minds and our daily routines. The way we think, the "food" we eat and the water we drink or so often don't drink. While so many go out and protest the small evils, the big evils are ever present and welcomed into our homes. From the top to bottom of my heart I say #staywoke Love you to life, DIck Gregory March 26 He was ranked number 82 on Comedy Central’s list of the 100 Greatest Stand-ups. He was a guest on many radio shows and appeared in Vernon Chatman and John Lee absurdist comedy variety show Wonder Showzen. He also appeared in episodes of Reno 911! and the movie The Hot Chick. In 2016, Emmy-winning Scandal actor Joe Morton played Gregory in the off-Broadway play Turn Me Loose which was produced by John Legend. Gregory was married to his wife Lillian, who he wed in 1959. They had 11 children together. http://dea...starring-jack-parr-1202152487/
Paramount Member	Sun Aug 20 16:40:23 Don't know who he was. He was from another era and from another country. 11 children? Isn't that a bit too many? Imagine that you have 1 or 2 children. Okay. Then imagine that you have 5 or 6 children. Now that's a whole lot of children running around, screaming, demanding attention, food and clothes and things. Not many people could cope with it, I think. But this guy had twice as many. 11 children!
Hot Rod Revved Up	Sun Aug 20 16:42:56 He could afford them. He was a quite successful comic.
	show deleted posts

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