D.L. Hughley’s new book ‘How Not to Get Shot: And Other Advice from White People’ tackles police brutality with humor
D.L. Hughley has never been short on opinions throughout his legendary comedy career. Having done everything from host his own sitcom to having his own syndicated radio show to being a part of one of the most successful comedy tours turned major motion picture – The Kings of Comedy – D.L.’s success speaks for itself.
And now Hughley is set to film his 11th comedy special, Netflix’s D.L. Hughley: Contrarianat Philadelphia’s Kimmel Center. Philly, of course, is home to Bill Cosby, who Hughley has not been shy about criticizing over the years.
“I think Cosby did it,” Hughley told the Philadelphia Inquirer, comparing Cosby to Donald Trump. “I think you have two wealthy men. Both worked at NBC. Both used their power and celebrity to silence women’s voices.
D.L. also pulls no punches on another problematic black man: Kanye West. When asked if there could be any redemption for Kanye, D.L. delivered a pretty straight forward answer.
“Any black man that makes white people feel comfortable with slavery is someone I can’t view [as a person],” he said. “Kanye was absolutely right when he said slaves had a choice. We could die. We could die or work.
“We’re the direct descendants of people who survived slavery only to have some idiot say that they had a choice,” he added. “What Kanye did was just like telling Jewish people that the Holocaust didn’t happen.”
–#YaleWhileBlack: White woman calls police on Black grad student for napping in dorm—
Hughley also has a book coming out next month called How Not To Get Shot. Calling it the “funniest book he’s ever written,” he says it was inspired by the “advice” white people give black people following our numerous interactions with police.
“It’s because every time there’s a shooting, there’s some white guy or white girl telling you how it could have been avoided,” He said. “You know, ‘If they wouldn’t have broken the law …’ or, ‘If they would’ve cooperated …’ Because white people are such experts at everything, I decided to take their advice and write a book about it. So it’s called How Not to Get Shot: And Other Advice from White People.”
After more than 20 years in comedy, D.L. feels the game has changed in many ways, due to such things as the advent of social media. But he feels that he’s been able to last so long in comedy because of his being true to himself.
“As I’ve gotten older and been in the game a long time, I think having the courage to say what you see and being willing to stand by what you believe, regardless of what it costs you, is something that I’ve learned,” he said. “I don’t know that I would have evolved to that if it wasn’t for comedy.”
–This Is America: 5 powerful messages that will stay with you long after your Donald Glover hangover—
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