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From music to comedy, arguably no other group has had as profound of an influence on popular culture than African Americans. In the comedic realm, the conditions under which African Americans have performed their art has changed dramatically over time. From Redd Foxx’s positioning as the first Black stand-up comedian to perform in front of a white audience, to Kevin Hart selling out 70,000 seats in Lincoln Financial Field, shifting race relations in America have marked a wave of progress and opportunity for Black comedians. While today, comedic rockstars like Kevin Hart and Dave Chappelle have risen to fame, the landscape for Black comics has not always been so promising. For example, some historians associate the advent of early forms of Black stand-up comedy in America with the legacy of African American slaves performing for white masters (for free). Though this practice undermined the talent and genius of Black comedians by denying their proper platform upon which to display their craft, it could also be considered the birth of a new genre and catalyst for the subsequent success of both minstrel performers and Black stand-up comics alike. Although Black comedy has some roots in American slavery, it gained widespread popularity as a by-product of minstrel shows and Blackface that was popular in the early 20th century. Bert Williams, one of the most well-known minstrel performers, achieved notoriety by routinely portraying degrading racial stereotypes in front of predominately white audiences. Williams often performed in Blackface in order to maintain the standard conventions of the comedic world at the time. Although his performance was not considered “stand-up” by today’s standards, he is still regarded as one of the genre’s forefathers due to his unparalleled wit and comedic timing. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); As minstrel shows began to lose traction, African American comedy transitioned away from theatrical skits to something that more resembles modern-day stand-up. Jackie “Moms” Mabley, a Black and openly lesbian woman, was one of the prominent early comics of the time. Unlike Bert Williams and other vaudeville performers, Mabley conducted her shows in front of mostly Black crowds while working the “Chitlin’ Circuit” – a set of venues open and safe for Black entertainers during the era of racial segregation. Mabley’s acts included material that was considered highly sensitive and controversial since she forthrightly engaged the racial tensions that characterized her lived experience. Mabley’s use of satire and incisive commentary on contemporary life laid the groundwork for dozens of notable comics to follow. African American stand-up comedy has especially exploded between the 1950s and present-day. From Dick Gregory, Redd Foxx, Richard Pryor, and Eddie Murphy – to Chris Rock, Hannibal Burress, and Jerrod Carmichael, the depth and range of American comedy has been transformed by the presence of African American perspectives. Not only have these comics given a voice to the African American experience, they’ve also challenged audiences to reconsider the bar for what is to be considered “funny.” Additionally, comedy has afforded many African Americans the ability to become entrepreneurs and business owners – with many Black comics owning production companies. The roots and history of Black comedy help explain its current positioning in 2017. Dave Chappelle represents one of the genre’s beacons as the culmination of foundations laid by his predecessors. He amassed wealth from his stand-up comedy routines, expanded his casting to roles in several movies and TV shows, and even produced his own infamous sketch comedy show, “Chappelle’s Show,” on network TV. The same timeless qualities of witty satire and cultural commentary that propelled Moms Mabley and others’ careers into stardom have sustained Dave Chappelle throughout his own. Black comedians are responsible for some of our most cherished moments of laughter and joy. Whether through an on-point impersonation or a way-too-real joke, these comics give us memories to replay over and over again. Though history of the genre’s development may be indicative of the difficulties endured in a racist environment, comedy has undoubtedly blossomed into one of the most pure and beautiful art forms reflecting the lived experiences of African Americans. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The post Laughing All the Way to the Bank: The Historical Legacies of Kevin Hart & Dave Chappelle appeared first on PushBlack.

Described as a “pioneering urban mayor,” Richard Hatcher led the city of Gary, Indiana during the rise of the Black Power Movement. As Gary’s first Black mayor  - and the first Black mayor in the state of Indiana and among the first of any major U.S. city, Hatcher would also serve as the executive director of the NAACP and was known for infusing Black power principles into his politics. In 2017, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of his historic election. Hatcher served as mayor of Gary, Indiana from 1967-1987 for an unprecedented five terms.  While both positive and negative attributes are referenced in remembering his mayoral tenure, Hatcher is still heralded as a #PushBlackHero since achieving a political feat that most American cities have yet to witness. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); As a civic leader, Hatcher was committed to building the Black dollar. He used his power and influence to award the majority of contracts to Black business owners and promote investment in city infrastructure. While in office, “much of urban America was undergoing painful and profound change: disappearing factory jobs, fewer Federal dollars, rising crime and disease, dying steel mills and middle-class flight.” However, under the “Hatcher era,” Gary experienced progress on issues of unemployment and civil rights. His encouragement and support of Black-owned businesses helped to attract both outside government and private capital for investment. As a graduate of Indiana University and Valparaiso University, obtaining a Bachelor of Science and law degree respectively, Hatcher first practiced law before becoming involved in city politics. He served as deputy prosecutor for Lake County, Indiana from 1961 to 1963, helped to found a civic and social club, Muigwithanian (or “the Movement”), and served as both a city council member and, eventually, city council president. Outside of formal political office, he served as Jesse Jackson’s campaign chairman during the 1964 presidential race, and later as an advisor during the 1988 race. Without surprise, Hatcher’s pro-Black focus did not come without critique. Some asserted that his agenda was biased against non-Blacks and used “Gary-Genesis” as a theme to counteract suburban migration of middle-class Black families. However, his legacies through a commitment to the underserved Black community of Gary, Indiana continue in present times. In 2016, though without holding a formal political title, Hatcher continued to advocate for a Civil Rights Hall of Fame and Museum to pay tribute to the struggle and heroes of the 1950s and 1960s. In true Hatcher fashion, this museum would be housed in none other than Gary, Indiana.