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Americans lost two civil rights giants this month: Dorothy Height who worked tirelessly for the rights of African Americans especially Black women, was President of the National Council of Negro Women for 40 years, and attempted to bridge women’s rights and civil rights. She died this week at age 98. And the Reverend Benjamin Hooks, a trusted associate of Dr. Martin Luther King in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, former Executive Director and CEO of the NAACP, and an active member of the Republican Party. He died last week at the age of 85. Among the thousands who attended Hooks’ funeral was another major civil rights activist, Dick Gregory, entertainer, political comedian, writer, and even a spokesperson for health issues. Dick Gregory came to prominence in the 1960s after a profile in Time magazine and a television appearance on “The Jack Paar Show.” He then began regularly hitting the comedy circuit on television, in nightclubs, and in concerts, addressing issues of racism, poverty, and segregation. He marched often in civil rights demonstrations, and was arrested several times. Dick Gregory also ran for mayor of Chicago in 1966 and for president of the United States in 1968. He has written several books, the most controversial of which was his 1964 autobiography whose title he chose as the N-word. Dick Gregory’s latest project is a music CD called “21st Century State of the Union.” I spoke with Dick Gregory recently about his work and the legacy of the civil rights movement.

Dick Gregory will be performing tonight at the Catalina Bar and Grill, 6725 Sunset Blvd West at 8 pm. It’s his only show in Southern California. More information at (323) 466-2210 and www.catalinajazzclub.com.

Tune into KPFK this afternoon at 4 pm for a live, in-studio special edition of the Pocho Hour of Power featuring Dick Gregory.