U.S. Comedian And Activist Dick Gregory dead at 84

Dick Gregory (photo by epa)


Dick Gregory on CBS Sunday Morning

Story by BBC
Guardian Link: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/aug/20/dick-gregory-obituary?CMP=share_btn_fb
Wikipedia bio: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Gregory

(Photo of Dick Gregory, Dr. Claude Anderson, and I) US comedian and civil rights activist Dick Gregory has died at the age of 84, his family has announced.

Gregory died at hospital in Washington DC after being admitted with an undisclosed illness.

The family shared the news of their "enormous sadness" in a post on social media on Saturday.

From the 1960s Gregory mocked racism in his stand-up routines. He was among the first US black comedian to perform regularly in front of white audiences.


Dick Gregory in 1962

"It is with enormous sadness that the Gregory family confirms that their father, comedic legend and civil rights activist Mr Dick Gregory departed this earth tonight in Washington, DC," his son, Christian, wrote on Instagram.

He added that the family "appreciates the outpouring of support and love" but requested that their privacy be respected "during this very difficult time".

US civil rights activist Jesse Jackson paid tribute to Gregory on Twitter:
"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. #RIP"
9:57 PM - Aug 19, 2017

Gregory was a no-holds-barred comedian, delivering lines in his performances that were likely to raise eyebrows.


Dick Gregory for President against Richard Nixon and Hubert Humphrey in 1968

"A Southern liberal?" he once said, "that's a guy that'll lynch you from a low tree".

"Segregation is not all bad," Gregory said on another occasion. "Have you ever heard of a collision where the people in the back of the bus got hurt?"


Dick Gregory on Donald Trump

Gregory was also involved in a number of civil rights activities in the 1960s. He campaigned against the Vietnam War and his protests often involved hunger strikes.


Dick Gregory on New York's Breakfast Club Radio Show
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Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/aug/20/dick-gregory-obituary?CMP=share_btn_fb
Chicago Tribune: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chicagoinc/ct-dick-gregory-0822-chicago-inc-20170821-story.html