Remembering Richard: The Legacy Virus
Good evening, family. Last night as I sat watching “The Mack” on TVOne, I realized while watching Richard Pryor that we have ALOT to live up to! Richard Pryor was quite possibly the greatest comedian that ever stood in front of a microphone stand. Black people and Richard Pryor go together like peanut butter and jelly. We can all name one of his classic skits,jokes, or characters that have permanently become part of the fabric of America. Much like us, Richard was flawed. He had his vices, addictions, and other demons, but he overcame them, just like we must learn to do. In my honest opinion, Black people have all become injected with ” the Legacy virus”.
What is “The Legacy virus”, you ask? This virus is one that attacks the very sensibilities of the African-American people. The “victims” become “starstruck” and avoid all social causes and lose the ability to see past themselves. Richard was infected for quite some time with this deadly virus! He only saw the money he was making, the cocaine he was smoking/ free basing, and the women he was sleeping with! (sounds eerily familiar to the majority of the artists that are in hip hop, doesn’t it?) Richard Pryor got help for his affliction. He decided to take a stand for a cause: MS. He decided that even though the disease was destroying his body, he wouldn’t let it take his mind! ( Black people, take NOTES!!) Don’t let the virus destroy you! We are sloooowly dying and we couldn’t be HAPPIER (and that’s sad.) Richard used humor to mask his pain, much in the same way that black people have done for the past 400 years. Richard made us laugh, cry, think, scream, and made you want to sneak and listen to his albums when your parents told you not to! We have always been a people of laughter, but I for one am done laughing….Richard’s “take no prisoners” attitude demands that we fight this virus with every fiber of our being! We deserve better, so let’s get to doing better! Richard would want us to. We need to start fighting this virus like Richard fought MS, the censors, racists, and people who’d never seen a black man on TV besides Flip Wilson.
Thank you, Rich.
“I believe the ability to think is blessed. If you can think about a situation, you can deal with it. The big struggle is to keep your head clear enough to think.” – Richard Pryor
Thanks for listening…See ya in heaven.
Ah yes sir!!! If it wasn’t for Richard, a lot of our comedians wouldn’t be around today. He’s one of the greatest that’s ever hit the stage. We love and miss your style sir.
Mr. Pryor was the epitome of black comedy! I remember sneaking to watch him on my uncles TV because my moms and aunt wouldnt let me see him. Great post!!!!!!!!