Revolution Televised.pdf

186 Conclusion
HBO to discuss social issues and political policies that have a real
impact on black society.
As in Bring the Pain, in his weekly show Rock also used comedy
sketches and his man-on-the-street interviews to critique African
American society and to locate continued, but often more covert,
forms of racism within American society. In one comedy sketch
called “The Progress Report,” Rock analyzes African American
successes and failures by reading a Chutes and Ladders–type chart
provided by the fictional “American Black Progress Association.”
A cardboard black man is attached by Velcro and can be moved
up and down the ladder. The highest step on the ladder is labeled
“There.” Rock explains that African Americans often talk about
other blacks who have set the black community back so many
“steps” from the goal of being “There.” He then describes several
of these moments throughout African American history.
In 1960 SNCC and CORE staged sit-ins. It was a great time for
black people, putting us ahead four steps. But in 1988 the Crips
and Bloods staged shoot-outs, putting black people six steps back
and six feet under. . . . In 1984 Jesse Jackson hits the campaign
trail, stressing, “Keep hope alive!” Seven steps ahead. But in 1990
Marion Barry hits the pipe in a hotel room, stressing, “Bitch set me
up!” Twelve steps back.
Chris Rock charts the progress of black people.