Tuesday Voice: A great privilege

Dick Gregory as pictured in announcement
of January 2015 talk at Lincoln University

To have covered 
Dick Gregory

By Bob Boldt

Shortly before Thanksgiving 1967, I filmed comedian and peace activist Dick Gregory's announcement in Chicago of a fast to oppose the Vietnam War. The Chicago Tribune announced on November 23, 1967:

DICK GREGORY WILL FAST IN WAR PROTEST
    Dick Gregory, entertainer and declared write-in candidate for President in 1968, announced yesterday he will begin a 32-day fast today in protest against United States Involvement in the war in Viet Nam. [Gregory said:]

I am determined to set an example as an individual American, lawfully protesting against my government's policy in Viet Nam. From Thanksgiving until Christmas I will fast in sympathy with the millions of Americans who also are opposed to the war in Viet Nam. I will not eat, drink juice, or take prepared vitamins or other food supplements. I will only drink water.

    Gregory said that during his fast he will maintain his personal appearance schedule. He also said he has posted a $1,000 bond which will be given to anyone who can prove Gregory has consumed anything but distilled water during the fast.

    And later that year, before Christmas, I covered Dick Gregory's second press conference, 20 days into his fast. I feel that it was a great privilege to have been present and to record the beginning of Mr. Gregory's courageous life of spiritual and political activism. It must be remembered that the public and the media largely looked with scorn on the anti-war protests of that period. It was not until the scandalous Chicago Democratic National Convention in 1968 that the movement finally began to get traction with the general public.

Back in January this year, Mr. Gregory spoke at Lincoln University, in Jefferson City, Missouri, and in honor of his appearance I assembled the 1967 film footage. And now I have made the clips available on my Ello.com page and on YouTube:

Copyright © 2015 by Bob Boldt