Interview with Dick Gregory,

Interview Summary

Richard Claxton "Dick" Gregory was an American comedian, civil rights and vegetarian activist. Gregory became popular among the African-American communities in the southern United States with his "no-holds-barred" sets, poking fun at the bigotry and racism in the United States. In 1961 he became a staple in the comedy clubs, appeared on television, and released comedy record albums. He was at the forefront of political activism in the 1960s. He was arrested multiple times and went on many hunger strikes. He later became a speaker and author, primarily promoting spirituality. Gregory died of heart failure, aged 84, at a Washington, D.C. hospital in August 2017.

True to form, this interview with Gregory contains explicit sexual references and language considered by many to be obscene and/or disturbing. It was conducted in 2010 in Washington D.C.

Interview Keyword

Racism Civil Rights

Interview LC Subject

Civil rights--United States--1950-1960. Civil rights movement--History--20th century. Griffin, John Howard, 1920-1980. Black like me

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may only be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.