Dick Gregory: My Brother's Keeper (1964) | Rare LP

There are people in America underfed and undernourished. It's hard to believe, so hard perhaps that more often than not the natural response is: "Name them." As if that could put to rest the desperate needs of people. Well, I can name them over 20,000 of them in fact. They are the men, women, and children of LeFlore County, Mississippi. Since 1955 the Department of Agriculture has given surplus foods to the State of Mississippi - mostly in such basic commodities as butter, milk, cheese, flour, and potatoes. Each county in the state decides if it wants the food. If a county joins, it must pay storage and distribution. In the delta region, LeFlore County, over 50% of the population qualifies for surplus food. In.May, 1962 a campaign was begun to register all eligible Negro voters in LeFlore County. (At this writing less than 350 Negroes have registered to vote in a county with a Negro population of over 30,000). Shortly thereafter the local board of supervisors withdrew their co-operation with the Dept. of Agriculture's surplus food distribution leaving thousands of families with little or no means of subsist-ence during their season of unemployment between cotton harvesting and planting time.
It is my belief that this was done in vindictive reprisal simply because Negroes had attempted to exercise their rights as citizens. The county officials claim otherwise. They contend that they discontinued the program because of the expense involved. To feed the approximately 26,000 people in the county, it costs LeFlore a reported $37,000 per year. And this they say is too much. Maybe they're right. I don't know. But whatever the reason I do know this: In the richest nation in the world it is not right that our children grow up forever warped by the many nights of their hunger. It is not right that we can afford billions of dollars in foreign aid and yet neglect our own. That is the reason for this record. The sale of this LP is limited to 37,000 copies at $1.60. The entire profits -less the manufactured cost of $.60 per record will then be turned over to the LeFlore County Board of Supervisors in order that they may continue the distribution of surplus food to those in need, both white and Negro alike. That this problem should exist today is not Mississippi's disgrace - it is America's. Somewhere along the line we must have failed. And worse, we have coupled this failure with a fear to speak out and a fear to think and act for ourselves. It is fitting then that this album was recorded live at San Diego State Col-lege before over a thousand young men and women who by their curiosity and their concern make it clear that they fortunately are deeply involved in the strug-gle against injustice and ignorance; and committed to being vital participants in the business of our nation. As the record begins, I have just finished my regular performance and have now opened the floor to questions. For the time, the comedy is over. The questions are concerned with - the Negro, race relations, integra-tion, the Black Muslims, and the very nature of man himself. Of course I don't pretend to have all or most of the answers. But there is one I am most sure of and to one I am most deeply committed. And that answer, I feel, is the one, to most of the questions facing us today. And that is: If nothing else we are - all of us our brother's keeper.
--Dick Gregory
Shared for historical purposes. I do not own the rights.
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[@simmiewilliams5970]

Thank you ReelBlack for keeping Baba Gregory relevant for today’s generation of open minds. ✊🏿

[@mikedzoe5270]

Rip Dick Gregory we missing baba Dick He was my teacher I learned a lot from his information he was gave out...Thank you Sir.

[@justteezy91]

The way he gets his points across and articulates his words is amazing..

[@owavybyrd793]

Such an understatement for a black man that was to me the most underrated, underappreciated, OVERLOOKED Black men in history. LLBaba✊🏾💯

[@amosp.wellington6124]

Man among men, for all time. The Incomparable Dick Gregory

[@leonarddonald2093]

I am the man I am because of Dick Gregory. Think is my mantra.

[@Khondor]

Great find. This is pure gold. Thanks for posting this 👍🏿 Things Brother Gregory said over 50 years ago is still relevant today. #Truth

[@scheenafarmer3979]

Repeat, the problem stays because the education is still the same.

[@ajisstillright]

God bless !!! This is much needed in these dire times. Still true today

[@wtfsamusidk7574]

Love this man, Rip Dick Gregory

[@gailjackson8187]

Yes We have Baba Dick Gregory 💙🙏🏿 Wise And Funny Thanks Mike Appreciate You too ✌🏿

[@kwameaboagye121]

Baba Dick Gregory is so funny and self-conscious. Baba Gregory is so politically defiant fearless as well as dynamic. Baba Gregory didn't give up until his death in the political struggles. Baba Dick Gregory- comedian, actor author and role model in the political struggles.

[@c.calliecoleman1531]

This is one man, Dick Gregory, who was the bravest, and who surely helped paved the way. The way he would courageously speak on anything, where most would keep their mouth closed. He should be greatly appreciated by many. I know I appreciate him.

[@nogomo19]

I miss my Brother Gregory he was my big Brother and Teacher.

[@bonzey1171]

This man was a genius, just like Paul Mooney

[@dukeblankson4243]

Rest in power son of man, your effort in putting American on check will never be forgotten

[@sunvzutrb8698]

He had such a grand mind, being in the middle of things, would means everything would evolve around you, co-median of our universe which is the sun 🙏🤫💯

[@tracerankin95642]

Was lucky enough to grow up in a city, Sacramento, Ca that had Free-Form Stereo KZAP. As an impressionable 8th grader in 1968, I was able to become educated about society from the air time the DJ's gave to him, Lenny Bruce, etc.Travus T. Hipp.Randy Newman's "Rednecks" was played on air. Played today high cause a riot.Jazz, Classics

[@DsheikR]

Right with you, Class of '72.

[@MSYNGWIE12]

Before my time, but boy when he said "the right NOT to vote" I stopped in Canada a few years ago. And I feel NO GUILT. WHAT A WISE MAN

[@heathertea2704]

DICK GREGORY stayed TEACHING and PREACHING.👏👏👏💖

[@Aleisha313]

When you go into politics You lose your freedom of speech ~Dick Gregory

[@viralbuthow000]

Priceless. As all of your Interviews with Baba.

[@stlcat314]

Still relevant in 2024

[@olomolo42]

my favourite channel on youtube

[@reelblack]

Gracias

[@karimmuhammad2306]

We owe you Reelblack One! We owe you!!!

[@zencat999]

thanx for posting this.

[@capoislamort100]

R.I.P grandpa Gregory/ R.I.P Clyde Kennard

[@liteskinnedbobbybrown6256]

Genius

[@jamesjenkins9916]

Fantastic !!

[@kevindetejas1137]

"My brother's keeper" is a phrase from a religious text but I fail to recall specifically.

[@kristenglanton6809]

I'm sorry. I did not get the Muslim joke about the shoe or the corn. I can't tell whether he had disdain for them or not. I just watched his documentary and he spoke well of Malcolm X. Can someone explain? TY

[@GoldenboyJayy]

2023 still relevant 🙌🏽

[@stevenmarcusreleford]

❤

[@elisianez1291]

This is what I've been telling people, do research and question the narrative, but so many people just believe everything they see and hear on t.v. because it's easier

[@TheQiforce]

I'm number 700 for likes on this talk. Dick and I met in Justin's with his son present and I had a great eye opening experience that night. He gave me his business card and I hold on to it with great respect. Though I am Muslim I agree with some things he says... and ISLAM and Muslims had been around longer than 35 years at that time. ALLAH plans ,..we plan,..HE is The Best Of Planners.

[@leoneranger9348]

That pregnant pause at the southern vs northern liberal 😂 same same but different - what’s changed in 2021??

[@LOUDsigh]

Ty

[@ScottWhartonComedian]

The realest

[@Cat-ik1wo]

The intelligence level of the people in this country? I no longer wonder. I know!

[@karencrilly1633]

Don Lotus this man u need to listen to & find his vids he knows a ton

[@lyricaldre42]

I love him rip but in his stand ups he claims Chicago but he really from St Louis jus like red fox. Right down the street a matter fact. I wonder why

[@simmiewilliams5970]

You claim the places were you grew as a person....not necessarily where you were born.

[@lyricaldre42]

@@simmiewilliams5970 he grew up in St Louis. He got two streets named after him and everything

[@studentemail6453]

16:29

[@goodguystv3964]

I would never be a politician because then I would lose my right to free speech

[@kingghx5t74]

Huh?

[@joeyhuebner10]

Woosh

[@ajisstillright]

Your mom