In honor of yesterday's Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration, the Office of African-American Affairs, in conjunction with Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, have scheduled renowned civil rights activist and comedian Dick Gregory to speak tonight at 7:00 p.m. in Old Cabell Hall.
Gregory, an early supporter of civil rights, led his first march against segregation while he was still in high school, according to his Web site. His satirical style and ability to mix humor with politics quickly made him popular among Chicago area night clubs.
In 1961, at the request of publisher Hugh Hefner, Gregory appeared for a week straight at the Playboy Club which introduced him to a white audience, making him one of the first black comedians to do so. His autobiography, "Nigger," has sold millions of copies worldwide since its publication in 1964.
Alpha Phi Alpha member and fourth-year Commerce student Darren Kelly said Gregory is good for this occasion for his great humor and social commentary.
"Mr. Gregory has been an outspoken activist in the civil rights movement for a while," Kelly said. "He has been great with nonviolent resistance and has good opinions on the current state of things in America. Because he started out doing humor, he has a great ability of seeing how society opens up."
Gregory has fasted for many reasons over the years, his first in 1967 against the Vietnam War. His most recent fast ended Jan. 7 opposing the recent charges brought against his friend Michael Jackson.
Whether or not Gregory will comment on Jackson or not is unknown, but Darren assured that "there will be a Q&A section following the speech if you want to find out."
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