Dick Gregory on Obama, longevity, comic geniuses- Chicago Trib

[mucifer]

Steve Johnson Tribune reporter

October 25, 2009


Dick Gregory did not think he would live to see an African-American president.

"It caught everyone by surprise," said the 77-year-old comedian and civil rights activist. "If two white dudes were running in 2000, and one wins and the other one stole it, you almost think that would happen to a black."

Then again, Gregory said he isn't so sure he can consider President Barack Obama's a "legitimate" win: "The reason is, Bush scared white folks so bad with the war and the economy," he said, "they forgot they wasn't supposed to vote for a Negro."

Gregory will share his wit and wisdom in "The Color of Funny: Dick Gregory on Race, Comedy and Justice," a Chicago Humanities Festival forum, at 5 p.m. Nov. 8, at Northwestern University School of Law's Thorne Auditorium.

"There's just nothing like Dick Gregory," said Stuart Flack, the festival's executive director. "He represents such a long slice of American history and American social criticism and all the different forms that it took. With someone like Dick Gregory you have an unbroken line from the mid-'60s into today."

The event, featuring journalist Laura Washington questioning Gregory, was a rapid sellout. But before flying to Houston for a comedy appearance earlier this month, Gregory, speaking from the Washington, D.C., home of one of his 10 children, shared some of what has been on his mind.

Longevity, for one thing.

" Bob Hope lived to get 100," Gregory said. "But I think that was because Jesse Jackson, for 40 years, kept saying 'Keep hope alive!' "

snip more at: http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-1025-humanities-profile-gregoct25,0,4207331.column?page=1

:)

[annabanana]

1. Smart, funny guy. . . n/t

[pink-o]

2. I met him once in the 70s when he came into the restaurant where I worked.

I was a pretty new vegetarian back then, only about a year into it, and he was a complete vegan. He ordered an avocado and alfalfa sprout sandwich, then pushed the bread aside. We'd never seen anything like it.

He didn't rip out any pithy one-liners, or give nutritional advice, he was pretty low-key and left a huge tip. I'm so glad he's still around and still doing comedy. I swear, living well is the best revenge against them all, Dick!

[bermudat]

3. I think he had the first protein powder smoothie for sale.

Called the Bahamian diet. Didn't taste too bad.

[angee_is_mad]

4. kick

and recommend!

[GreenTea]

5. He used to drink a quart of Scotch a day-Then changed his whole diet & philosophy- He's a great guy

Saw him lecture once in Chico, CA and he was excellent and I've been a big admirer ever since. "A lot of work to do"!

[rebel with a cause]

6. Dick Gregory attended Southern Illinois University

in the 1950s. He has returned here quite a few times, many times in the name of activism with a sense of anger, but this last time it was on a more happy note. Here are a couple of articles done on his visit and the changes that have happened since his days attending school here. The young man who did these interviews was thrilled when Mr. Gregory addressed him as "my brother".

Gregory: Best thing about ‘good old days’ is they’re gone
http://www.thesouthern.com/news/article_952623ae-b55a-11de-88b6-001cc4c002e0.html

Gregory touched by reception
http://www.thesouthern.com/news/local/article_0e1f066a-b621-11de-97ae-001cc4c03286.html

Note: Southern Illinois has been referred to as the Dixie/Alabama portion of the state. Some parts are worse than others with the University area being the most liberal.

[trof]

7. Long may he prosper.

:-)

[Bluenorthwest]

8. One of the most amazing minds I've ever been around

So funny, so insightful, so challenging to the preconceptions of everyone around him. Genius. And a very kind soul. God bless you Dick, one million times a million.

[Cha]

9. I remember Dick Gregory from back

in the day..he was inspiring and funny!