Richard Pryor’s commentary lays in the shadow of the bright light of his comedic genius.
Watched all of his concerts as a child. I recorded them from the TV on my cassette recorder and played them over and over again. The only cussin’ my folks allowed me to listen to as a child. …almost …but Millie Jackson is a story for another day.
I now see why. There was genius-level commentary hiding in the seams of his routine.
His stating, under the guise of humor, that we are the canary in the coal mine, regarding this nation’s ills, always stayed with me.
He was specifically speaking of the addiction epidemic of the day but it applies throughout history.
He further stated that what befalls us now, will one day befall all. Stripped of the comedic packaging the message was clear.
It is happening now, in real time regarding matters of personal governance. Personhood is being attacked by those who are fewer in number but far more devious in their practices.
We have suffered this from even before the formation of this republic, but few seemed to care. Now those who have also been attacked seem to be waking up from their empathy-free slumber.
And they seem appalled. Welcome.
Amid the fight of those fewer in number to hold on to their power… Their ability to impose their will onto others. By force. So many who are now dismayed and now vocal… ignored the cries and demise of the canaries before them.
To their own detriment today.
What to do?… many seem to ask. But what if what needed to be done… needed to be done while those who were doubted, ignored, and discounted were trying to warn all for so very long?
We will see.
-ELW
Eric L. Woods 