Right to Offend

Chronicles how the pioneers of Black comedy turned the stand-up stage into one of the most important platforms for social discourse in America. This episode explores how Dick Gregory, Richard Pryor, Moms Mabley, and Redd Foxx, among others, used “offensive” humor to break racial and cultural barriers during the civil rights and counterculture eras. Their defiance in the face of insurmountable challenges set the foundation for the freedoms that black comedians enjoy today.

Explores the new breed of Black comedian that surfaced after the Civil Rights movement and the significant challenges they still faced. Starting in the 1980s, some black comedians like Eddie Murphy enjoyed unprecedented success while many of them still remained on the sidelines. Working outside of the mainstream, Spike Lee, Robert Townsend, Kenan Ivory Wayans, and Whoopi Goldberg created new opportunities for more socially-relevant work to emerge. Political upheaval in the 21st century mobilized Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, and a diverse cast of young black comedians like never before, giving them a much more prominent role in American society.