We need another Richard Pryor

This morning I watched a special on Richard Pryor, a comic I've always thought was hilarious but I never knew the back story behind his life and comedy. I am too young to have seen him in his prime, but from what I've heard and watched, he was amazing.

What the world needs now is a modern Richard Pryor and to stop stifling people based on a definition of what the current American stream considers 'acceptable' discussion. Richard Pryor was one of the first mainstream personalities to use Nigger on a regular basis; whether in an album title or the lines themselves. Richard Pryor one time fired his entire staff, because they were white, to rehire a black staff because he felt it was closer to what he was. Richard Pryor would also recommend how many whites should be in his audiences - this racial and cultural attitude brought him a laundry list of hardships. NBC censoring him, Vegas shows cancelling him and long periods without any stage to play on.

Bringing me back to what I watched, it shows the torture of a man trying to make his way and trying to bend public norms. This is looked back on with admiration and respect. Today we lack this entirely. Whether in comedy or any other outlet, we routinely see censorship. Today our censorship comes in the form of marches, picket lines, boycotts, shouting, screaming and hashtags. Perhaps if we didn't boycott the voices that seemingly push against our mainstream norms we could evolve.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Herniated Disc

Image
The Problem: Herniated L5/S1 disc causing severe sciatica Example MRI: What is Sciatica: Sciatica causes pain, a burning sensation, numbness, or tingling radiating from the lower back and upper buttock down the back of the thigh to the back of the leg. Severe sciatica can make walking difficult if not impossible. Sometimes the symptoms of sciatica are aggravated by walking or bending at the waist and relieved by lying down. So what about the pain? Sciatica is often characterized by the following symptoms: Pain on one side of the buttock or in one leg that is worse when sitting Burning or tingling down the leg Weakness, numbness or difficulty moving the leg or foot A constant pain on one side of the rear A sharp pain that may make it difficult to stand up or to walk So what caused it? A herniated L5/S1 disc Interesting facts: - Herniated discs in the lumbar region are very common in active males age 30-40 - At the one and two year mark both surgical and non-s...
Read more

Fox News or CNN?

Ah, Fox and CNN. Where to start. Each one has its own bias. I was, for a very very long time an avid CNN viewer, literally the TV would be on CNN when I got home from work and stay there. Until the 2008 elections. I could not believe how much CNN backed the Democratic party. Almost to a point of annoyance. For every on RNC member on a panel there would be 2 DNC, usually one black man and one woman. The RNC person was almost always a white male. What I couldn't believe was the entire lack of respect for the opposing candidates on the Republican side. Now before you go "damn right-wing Republican" understand these FACTS: - Member of the Democratic Party - Libertarian - NRA Life Member What does that equal? Me. Not a single word up there said Republican. In fact, I've never voted for a presidential republican candidate. Maybe my lack of line loyalty allows me to have an open mind where others seen inherently sheltered. I have very strict guidelines for leaders; 1) be hon...
Read more