Humorist and comedian Dick Gregory mounted a pointed write-in campaign for the US presidency in 1968. Far from the sort of candidacy mounted primarily for entertainment value (such as Pat Paulsen's), Gregory used his as a vehicle for advancing a national dialogue and awareness of racial issues, and eventually garnered over 47,000 votes. This book served as his campaign platform and manifesto, mixing straight talk with humorous interludes. A fascinating and particularly accurate touchstone for the zeitgeist of America in 1968.
Richard "Dick" Gregory was an American civil rights activist, social critic, writer, entrepreneur, comedian, motivational speaker, author and actor. He became the first black comedian to successfully cross over to white audiences.
Until I read this book, I had no idea Dick Gregory had run for president! Well, history is not kind to write-in candidates I'm afraid...
Gregory had a good run of trade paperbacks about his life, politics and apparently this presidential run. He brings his acerbic wit and wry observations of contemporary politics of his time.
The book is an interesting historical record, that piqued a personal interest in electoral politics and community organizing I was just beginning to understand at the time.