esrosedotblog

Black comics have become very popular in recent years.

But that has not always been the case.

And those who got "somewhere" often did so with some bowing and scraping.

But that changed.

A lot of anger transmuted to some great acts by young comics. But all of them followed in the footsteps of the few greats who came before them.

One of those was a courageous lady who masked the truth in absurd humor.

I remember Moms Mabley from way back. That is Ed Sullivan back. And her material was always the same. The stupidity of racism. Its cruelty.

She presented as a stereotype, her teeth out, her dress a baggy heavily flowered number, a knitted hat and, good lord, a shuffle in cartoonish sneakers.

But that was a ruse. Her mouth produced some pretty harsh truths and was able to be funny doing it.

Today, a documentary on her work.

She has come back as a historical figure but still, the laughs.

Labels: comedy, documentary, films