Dick Gregory had a choice to make as he left the army and pursued a comedy career.
No Black comedian had ever broken out of segregated nightclubs into mainstream success. Should he try to appeal to white audiences so he could cross over? Or stay true to himself and his people?
A breakthrough opportunity to perform at a major club appeared in the ‘60s – to a wealthy, white audience – and Gregory made his choice.
He joked about a white waitress telling him they didn’t serve colored people: “I said: ‘That’s all right, I don’t eat colored people. Bring me a whole fried chicken.’” His satire never sugar-coated the reality of racism and segregation. He won over the audience and launched his legendary career.
Gregory never compromised his politics to appeal to anyone. He was arrested for civil rights activism countless times and protested against the Vietnam war and for other causes through hunger strikes.
He committed himself to Black health, ran for mayor of Chicago and U.S. President, and continued his activism and writing until his final years. He passed away in 2017 at age 84.
“He taught us how to laugh. He taught us how to fight. He taught us how to live. Dick Gregory was committed to justice. I miss him already,” said the Rev. Jesse Jackson.
We honor his memory by remembering that success doesn’t always require assimilation, and Dick Gregory’s legendary life is proof!