Hugh Hefner died in September 2017, at his home at the age of 91. We all know Hefner for creating Playboy Magazine, the Playboy Clubs, and living in the Playboy Mansion. However, many of us didn’t know that he bravely helped African Americans, as well as other oppressed groups, during eras when White people were socially and personally ostracized for doing so…and sadly, sometimes even killed.

Some Of The Ways Hefner Fought For Civil Rights

Hefner contributed to many civil rights causes and worked with many civil rights legends who ultimately became some of his closest friends throughout the years.

1. He funded the PUSH Coalition, which was spearheaded by Rev. Jesse Jackson and largely dedicated to fighting for civil rights for African American people.

Hugh Hefner was a strong supporter of the civil rights movement. We shall never forget him. May he Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/oL3lKLZRQ5

— Rev Jesse Jackson Sr (@RevJJackson) September 28, 2017

2. Hefner was a very loyal supporter of Martin Luther King Jr. during the civil rights era. He also risked losing a large part of his fan base, by publishing interviews with Black civil rights icons in Playboy Magazine, including Muhammad Ali, Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X at a time when that was deemed ‘too controversial’ to do so.

3. The late Dick Gregory, who died on August 19th 2017, also revealed that back in the day, it was Hefner who gave a $25,000 reward to help solve one of the most brutal murders of the civil rights era: three young civil rights activists killed in Meridian, MS.

4. Hefner revealed, in a 2011 CBS interview, that when he franchised his Playboy Club back in the day, he had to check the franchise buyers for making Black performers go through the back entrances of the venues:

“I felt from a very early age that there were things in society that were wrong, and that I might play some small part in changing them […]When we started franchising, when they refused our members, the black members, entrance, I said, ‘You can’t do that, these are members of our club.’ And we literally bought back the franchised clubs,” Hefner said.

5. In 2001, during a Comedy Central roast of Hefner, his friend, Dick Gregory, got choked up when talking about how Hefner helped him. Gregory credited Hefner for having the courage to push back against the social norm for White America during the segregation era. Gregory said Hefner opened the doors for him and many other Black entertainers, by using his iconic Playboy Clubs to do so:

Gregory to Hefner- “You had a courage when no one was bringing in Blacks and minorities, and let you stand flat-footed in America and just talk, you brought me in. […] You didn’t give me a lecture. You gave me no instructions. […] I come here tonight not to roast you, but to say that had you not had the guts back then, we black comics that the world has been able to look at and understand our genius, we would be in some pot, roasting in debt, knowing we were never going to make it. [..] So I say I love you. We thank you. Gold bless you, my brother.”

Watch Dick Gregory Show Gratitude To Friend, Hugh Hefner

The above video was a beautiful thing to see for several reasons: (1) In a world that is seeing hatred spewed in every realm of our society, the colorblind love among many -such as that between Gregory and Hefner- sometimes gets overlooked; and (2) Dick Gregory was sometimes misunderstood and labeled as a racist. Seeing his love for Hefner shows that he clearly was not. Though Mr. Gregory wasn’t racist, he was in fact a realist throughout his endless fight for equal rights, and Hugh Hefner understood that. May they both continue to rest peacefully, after an incredible job well done.

The post Hugh Hefner Took Many Brave Actions For African Americans, Even Dick Gregory Was Impressed appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

Hugh Hefner died in September 2017, at his home at the age of 91. We all know Hefner for creating Playboy Magazine, the Playboy Clubs, and living in the Playboy Mansion. However, many of us didn’t know that he bravely helped African Americans, as well as other oppressed groups, during eras when White people were socially and personally ostracized for doing so…and sadly, sometimes even killed.

Some Of The Ways Hefner Fought For Civil Rights

Hefner contributed to many civil rights causes and worked with many civil rights legends who ultimately became some of his closest friends throughout the years.

1. He funded the PUSH Coalition, which was spearheaded by Rev. Jesse Jackson and largely dedicated to fighting for civil rights for African American people.

Hugh Hefner was a strong supporter of the civil rights movement. We shall never forget him. May he Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/oL3lKLZRQ5

— Rev Jesse Jackson Sr (@RevJJackson) September 28, 2017

2. Hefner was a very loyal supporter of Martin Luther King Jr. during the civil rights era. He also risked losing a large part of his fan base, by publishing interviews with Black civil rights icons in Playboy Magazine, including Muhammad Ali, Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X at a time when that was deemed ‘too controversial’ to do so.

3. The late Dick Gregory, who died on August 19th 2017, also revealed that back in the day, it was Hefner who gave a $25,000 reward to help solve one of the most brutal murders of the civil rights era: three young civil rights activists killed in Meridian, MS.

4. Hefner revealed, in a 2011 CBS interview, that when he franchised his Playboy Club back in the day, he had to check the franchise buyers for making Black performers go through the back entrances of the venues:

“I felt from a very early age that there were things in society that were wrong, and that I might play some small part in changing them […]When we started franchising, when they refused our members, the black members, entrance, I said, ‘You can’t do that, these are members of our club.’ And we literally bought back the franchised clubs,” Hefner said.

5. In 2001, during a Comedy Central roast of Hefner, his friend, Dick Gregory, got choked up when talking about how Hefner helped him. Gregory credited Hefner for having the courage to push back against the social norm for White America during the segregation era. Gregory said Hefner opened the doors for him and many other Black entertainers, by using his iconic Playboy Clubs to do so:

Gregory to Hefner- “You had a courage when no one was bringing in blacks and minorities, and let you stand flat-footed in America and just talk, you brought me in. […] You didn’t give me a lecture. You gave me no instructions. […] I come here tonight not to roast you, but to say that had you not had the guts back then, we black comics that the world has been able to look at and understand our genius, we would be in some pot, roasting in debt, knowing we were never going to make it. [..] So I say I love you. We thank you. Gold bless you, my brother.”

Watch Dick Gregory Show Gratitude To Friend, Hugh Hefner

The above video was a beautiful thing to see for several reasons: (1) In a world that is seeing hatred spewed in every realm of our society, the colorblind love among many -such as that between Gregory and Hefner- sometimes gets overlooked; and (2) Dick Gregory was sometimes misunderstood and labeled as a racist. Seeing his love for Hefner shows that he clearly was not. Though Mr. Gregory wasn’t racist, he was in fact a realist throughout his endless fight for equal rights, and Hugh Hefner understood that. May they both continue to rest peacefully, after an incredible job well done.

The post Fans Stunned By The Many Things Hugh Hefner Did For African Americans appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

Some Of The Ways Hefner Fought For Civil Rights

Hefner contributed to many civil rights causes and worked with many civil rights legends who ultimately became some of his closest friends throughout the years.
1. He funded the PUSH Coalition, which was spearheaded by Rev. Jesse Jackson and largely dedicated to fighting for civil rights for African American people.

Hugh Hefner was a strong supporter of the civil rights movement. We shall never forget him. May he Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/oL3lKLZRQ5

— Rev Jesse Jackson Sr (@RevJJackson) September 28, 2017

2. Hefner was a very loyal supporter of Martin Luther King Jr. during the civil rights era. He also risked losing a large part of his fan base, by publishing interviews with Black civil rights icons in Playboy Magazine, including Muhammad Ali, Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X.

3. The late Dick Gregory, who died on August 19th 2017, also revealed that back in the day, it was Hefner who gave a $25K reward to help solve one of the most brutal murders of the civil rights era: three young civil rights activists killed in Meridian, MS.

4. Hefner revealed in a 2011 CBS interview that when he franchised his Playboy Club back in the day, he had to check the franchise buyers for making Black performers go through the back entrances of the venues:

“I felt from a very early age that there were things in society that were wrong, and that I might play some small part in changing them […]When we started franchising, when they refused our members, the black members, entrance, I said, ‘You can’t do that, these are members of our club.’ And we literally bought back the franchised clubs,” Hefner said.

Gregory to Hefner- “You had a courage when no one was bringing in blacks and minorities, and let you stand flat-footed in America and just talk, you brought me in. […] You didn’t give me a lecture. You gave me no instructions. […] I come here tonight not to roast you, but to say that had you not had the guts back then, we black comics that the world has been able to look at and understand our genius, we would be in some pot, roasting in debt, knowing we were never going to make it. [..] So I say I love you. We thank you. Gold bless you, my brother.”

Watch Dick Gregory Show Gratitude To Friend, Hugh Hefner

That video was a beautiful thing to see for several reasons: (1) In a world that is seeing hatred spewed in every realm of our society, the colorblind love among many -such as that between Gregory and Hefner- sometimes gets overlooked.; and (2) Dick Gregory was sometimes misunderstood and labeled as a racist. But seeing his love for Hefner shows that he clearly was not, but he was instead a realist throughout his endless fight for equal rights. Hugh Hefner was able to understand that. May they both rest peacefully, after an incredible job well done.

The post Many Surprised To See The Many Things Hugh Hefner Did For Black People appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

Niece Tells What Cosby Did While Gregory was Dying

What many don’t know, is that on August 19th, Cosby was talking to Gregory as he was dying. Gregory’s niece, Trish Gregory, revealed that Cosby spent time with Gregory by phone, telling him jokes. He was trying to make Mr. Gregory’s last days on earth be as enjoyable and peaceful as possible, in a way that he knew Gregory would love.

After Dick Gregory died, Cosby paid homage to him on social media with several touching messages. His first tribute read:

Bill Cosby: His comedy showed his education, intelligence, and was inclusive of humanitarianism along with great timing.The man went off the stage into the arena of Civil Rights worldwide facing his enemies.He was FEARLESS. Rest in Power Dick Gregory

After seeing Cosby’s Facebook tribute to her uncle, Trish Gregory left a comment for Cosby, thanking him for helping her uncle transition:

Trish Gregory: Thank you Bill Cosby for calling, speaking and joking with my uncle Dick Gregory on the day of his transition. I envisioned the smile on my grandmother’s face as he entered the pearly gates. 😊

Dick Gregory’s funeral service was held on September 21st, and live streamed on TV One and on Roland Martin’s Facebook page. It was a beautiful service, attended many icons and thousands of fans. Cosby was photographed at the funeral, talking to Minister Louis Farrakhan, which he also shared online in another tribute to his friend, Gregory…

https://www.facebook.com/billcosby/photos/a.10150394441499930.383685.103114564929/10155328799719930/?type=3

Gregory’s Son Corrected A Rumor About His Dad’s Death At Funeral

During the funeral, one of Gregory’s 10 children, Christian Gregory, took the stage to clear up one widely reported inaccuracy that stated his father died from heart failure:

Christian Gregory: “It wasn’t his heart. His blood vessels were damaged from starving himself to bring attention to what was going on in the world. […] We thank him for a life of sacrifice. We acknowledge the suffering and glory.”

Incredible…even up to his last breathe, Dick Gregory was fighting for human rights and equality among all.

The post Bill Cosby Did A Beautiful Thing For Dick Gregory On The Day He Was Dying appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

As fans continue to mourn the revolutionary comedian/civil rights activist, Dick Gregory, his family is doing so as well. While most of Gregory’s and his wife, Lillian’s 10 children largely remain away from the public’s eye, their daughter, Ayanna Gregory, has been paying touching tributes to him online.

Ayanna is a singer wth a beautiful voice and she, like her siblings, greatly admired her dad and his contributions to the world in his fight for justice up until his last breathe. In paying homage to her father, Ayanna posted a series of tributes online and even used her voice to do so.

Ayanna Gregory’s Touching Tributes To Her Dad

In one post she wrote:

imayannagregory: I have never known a more brilliant and powerful human being. Thank you Daddy for an extraordinary life and legacy. What you brought to this planet is unparalleled. I am clear that you were ready. You’re work here was done. And in the midst of the world’s chaos and confusion, you left here with so much peace, grace and clarity. And for that I am beyond grateful. The joy of getting to spend a lifetime with you far exceeds the sadness in my heart. I can’t wait to receive your instructions from the other side. I love you Great Warrior! We will carry your light. The seeds you have planted in me have set the foundation for the healing work that has become my life. Your legacy continues… @therealdickgregory

https://www.instagram.com/p/BYBWhoWnkSd/

In another post, Ayanna shared the ballad she wrote for her father and explained how it brought him to tears when she first sang it to him…

https://www.instagram.com/p/BYGnoJan-4u/

And to ease her pain of losing her father at the age of 84, Ayanna Gregory revealed she oftentimes sings…

https://www.instagram.com/p/BYIyTwnHADn/

Dick Gregory’s Son’s Announcement Of His Dad’s Death

As we previously reported, it was Dick Gregory’s son, Christian Gregory, who announced their dad’s passing on Facebook on August 19, 2017, with an emotional statement that read:

@therealdickgregory: It is with enormous sadness that the Gregory family confirms that their father, comedic legend and civil rights activist Mr. Dick Gregory departed this earth tonight in Washington, DC. The family appreciates the outpouring of support and love and respectfully asks for their privacy as they grieve during this very difficult time. More details will be released over the next few days – Christian Gregory

One of the bravest activist to have walked this earth, rest on Dick Gregory after an exhaustingly great job well done.

The post Daughter Of Dick Gregory Pays Very Beautiful Tribute Honoring Her Late Father appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

When Dick Gregory (born Richard Claxton Gregory) passed away on August 20, 2017 he left a wonderful legacy behind that will always be remembered by millions. *Scroll down for new photo of all their children*

Aside from being a civil rights/political activist and comedian, he has another legacy that will continue to live on- his 10 children. He and his wife of 58 years, Lillian Smith, actually had a total of 11 children, but sadly, one of their sons, Richard Gregory, died just two months after is birth.

Their other ten children are all still with us to this day, thankfully. As we reported a while back, Mr. Gregory admittedly was not very hands on with his children, because he was constantly working, or out on the streets protesting and fighting for the equal rights of the less fortunate.

That fight is the reason why -in classic Dick Gregory fashion- Mr. Gregory admitted, in a 2000 the Boston Globe interview, that he did not regret not being as instrumental of a father as he could have been to his children. Check out excerpts of Gregory’s was brutal honest below:

On Choosing To Fight For Justice Instead Of Fully Raising His 10 Kids

via TBG: [Through all of] the protests, the rallies, the walking, the running – what of the 10 children? Mostly, they’ve only had Lil,’ their mother. “It was never in my psyche that I’m going to be a great father,” Gregory says. “Mine was: I’m going to be a great fighter for the liberation, whatever it takes.”

So Lil’ blows out the birthday candles. Lil’ talks to the children about broken love affairs. Lil’ checks on the grandchildren. “People ask me about being a father and not being there,” Gregory says. “I say, `Jack the Ripper had a father. Hitler had a father. Don’t talk to me about family.”

Gregory’s Wife & Kids Speak On His Absence Throughout The Years

His Wife

via TBG: “I know other people look at it and say, `Boy, this is kind of strange.’ But it works for us,” [Lillian] says. There have been rewards, she says: the children, her travels all over the world with him. And sometimes, there’s just the hell that can be love.

His Daughter

via TBG: “Children adapt quickly,” says Michele, the oldest daughter. “It seemed normal that he was supposed to be out of the house. Years later we probably would have appreciated it if he would have been home more.”

His Son
Via TBG: Christian, a chiropractor who lives in Washington, sees his father the most. “He’s been so busy being Dick Gregory,” Christian says, “he has forgotten about Richard Claxton.” It is said with more than a little affection.

Although some may or may not agree with Dick’s style of parenting, the fact of the matter still remains. As of today, all of Mr. and Mrs. Dick Gregory’s kids have been as successful as Dick foresaw when they were still in diapers. All of them are said to have college degrees; and they all love and honor their parents.

May Dick Gregory continue to rest peacefully after a beautiful job well done.

The post Meet All 10 Of Dick Gregory’s Kids He Said He ‘Barely’ Raised & What They Think Of Him appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

In one of his public speakings, Dick shared his global experiences of what he discovered about Christian teachings and why he felt that African Americans need to wake up and truly understand what they’re teaching their children to believe in and fear. He basically stated that the teachings of the Bible/Christianity were written by White people and used as a fear tactic and control mechanism against Black people in America. Gregory believed that control tactic is what is continuing to keep Black people psychologically impaired, never allowing them to reach their full potential. However, he said that when he traveled elsewhere in the world, the Christian teachings took on a much more universal approach. See what he said below in a way that only Mr. Gregory can…

Gregory On Brainwashing Tactics Of Christianity In America

Dick Gregory: “I go all over the world, I go to China, check out the Christian community. Jesus look Chinese. Go to Africa, India, Jesus look Indian. Go to Japan…go to Brazil, Jesus look Brazil. Come back home to America and go to a Black community to a Black church and Jesus is a White man! And you wonder what’s wrong with your children, YOU NIG&ER!”

Then Mr. Gregory went on to point out other teachings within the Bible that he says are suspect.

DG: “Christ got twelve disciples, Christ born in a place where there ain’t nothing but nig&as…and he chose 12 disciples…he didn’t only pick European, he picked eleven Englishmen! Where names like that: Peter, Paul, Matthew…where they come from over there?!! ALL eleven of ’em is White boys, except the nig&a that killed Christ, he a Arab Jew! Judas! And you put that crap down on your children and wonder why these nig&as is so crazy?!”

Watch Dick Gregory’s Full Video Clip On Christianity

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vAsAAPI19E

Like we said, his speeches were always thought provoking, no matter which side of the coin you fall on. What are your thoughts on the late Dick Gregory’s views on Christianity?

The post Dick Gregory’s Wake Up Call To Black People About Jesus & Christianity Is Epic appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

@therealdickgregory: It is with enormous sadness that the Gregory family confirms that their father, comedic legend and civil rights activist Mr. Dick Gregory departed this earth tonight in Washington, DC. The family appreciates the outpouring of support and love and respectfully asks for their privacy as they grieve during this very difficult time. More details will be released over the next few days – Christian Gregory

https://www.instagram.com/p/BX_622KjGNB/

On Thursday, August 17, 2017, just a few days prior to Dick Gregory’s passing, his son, Christian posted an announcement on Facebook, that his dad was hospitalized for an undisclosed condition. He also stated at that time that Dick should be released soon, but that his age could possibly complicate his situation:

“When it comes to sickness and disease one’s age is highly significant. There is no such thing as a “simple” condition. In advanced age a simple cold or a simple infection could be catastrophic. At soon to be chronologically 85, my father’s true age far exceeds that. A life well-lived but heavily sacrificed, has definitively taken its toll.” – Christian Gregory

Dick Gregory was an advocate for healthy living and was widely known for his now infamous juice fasts, some of which would last for up to 50 days at a time throughout the 1960’s and 70’s. He promoted a raw fruit and vegetable diet to the masses and spent his life educating African Americans about the destruction being imposed on them through their food, their schools, etc.

Dick was also a very close friend to Michael Jackson and revealed that MJ once confided in him when he thought that some people with a lot of power were out to kill him.

FYI: Mr. Gregory had a total of eleven children with his wife, Lillian Smith. One of their eleven kids, sadly passed away at the age of two. The St. Louis native instilled the same values he lived by, into his children as well.

Anyone who needs a bit more info of exactly what Dick Gregory was all about, part of his speech in 2013 at Bryn Mwar College sums it up:

“Once I accept injustice, I become injustice. For example, paper mills give off a terrible stench. But the people who work there don’t smell it. Remember, Dr. King was assassinated when he went to work for garbage collectors. To help them as workers to enforce their rights. They couldn’t smell the stench of the garbage all around them anymore. They were used to it. They would eat their lunch out of a brown bag sitting on the garbage truck. One day, a worker was sitting inside the back of the truck on top of the garbage, and got crushed to death because no one knew he was there.” -Dick Gregory

This is a very sad day for America because it’s lost one of the unfiltered leaders of a generation that is still very needed today. Mr. Gregory will be sorely missed, may he rest well after a job well done here on earth.

The post R.I.P. To Dick Gregory…Passes Away At 84…Family Gives Details… appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

Gregory on why he married Lillian:

‘One afternoon in Chicago, [Dick Gregory] met Lillian Smith, a secretary. Dating led to passion. ”No son of mine will ever get a girl pregnant and not marry her,” Gregory’s mother had always told him. Lil got pregnant. ”That’s how I got married,” he recalls. ”It was no glamour.”

They honeymooned – if you can call it that – on a Greyhound bus, going to St. Louis to live with his sister. Then he hit the road to do comedy.’

On how he chose fighting for justice over raising his 10 children:

‘[Through all of] the protests, the rallies, the walking, the running – what of the 10 children? Mostly, they’ve only had Lil,’ their mother.

”It was never in my psyche that I’m going to be a great father,” Gregory says. ”Mine was: I’m going to be a great fighter for the liberation, whatever it takes.”’

Gregory had weaknesses when it came to funding the movement for justice…’damn the family’:

‘Once, he was at a rally in Atlanta, sitting onstage next to businessman Bertram Lee. Gregory started whispering to Lee about money woes, the children’s school fees. Lee wrote him an $18,000 check. Then activist Hosea Williams arrived, bloodied from a local protest. Williams started preaching; more money was needed for the movement. ”I gave him my check,” says Gregory. ”Damn the family.”

There’s more…

The post Dick Gregory Has 10 Kids He Barely Raised, See Why He Doesn’t Regret It appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

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