Richard Pryor - Revolution of Identity

For those who might not get the evolution of this 1977 skit, what makes it so funny is watching the transformation of a conservative black president once he's reminded by black reporters of the racial issues the country is still facing. What transpires is the more he's reminded of issues of black inequality, the more he reverts back to being the radical black brotha who's tired of white privilege and southern dixiecrat politics. 

Reporter:   Mr. President.
President:  What?
Reporter:   James Bixby, Mississippi News.
President:  Sit Down!

I'm amazed at how although this is a fictional comedy skit from forty years ago, our country is still wrestling with many of the issues the skit brings up; 

Peace in the Middle East
Nuclear Bombs
Unemployment
FBI Director Nominations
Quarterbacks, Coaches, Owners in NFL
Sexual Misconduct Accusations
Christian Right

Maybe it's not that Richard Pryor prophesied the future of America, but that America hasn't progressed much in forty years. 


Reporter:    Mrs. Fennan Carlton Macker, Christian Womens' News. Mr. President, since you've become president, you've been seen and photographed on the arms of white women.

Crowd:    ooh ooh ooh

Reporter:    Frankly sir, you've been courting an awful lot of white women, will this continue?

President:    As long as I can keep it up. I mean, why do you think they call it the white house?


In the end it comes down to one question which completely sets off the reverting first black president, causing him to lose all conservative decorum; a white reporter talks about his momma.

Don't you be talkin bout my momma!