Chris Rock Dispels Notion of 'Black Progress' in New York Mag Interview

In an interview with  New York magazine, comedic genius Chris Rock spouted his colorful wisdom that we have come to know and love over the course of his multi-decade career.

The Top Five star touches on everything from Ferguson (if he were a reporter in Ferguson, he would do a segment on race, “but I’d have no Black people”) to his career goals (he never chases stardom or blockbusters) and President Obama (on Obama’s election: “Everybody wanted Michael Jordan, right? We got Shaq”). However, perhaps his most insightful views came when he was talking about the concept of Black progress.

“To say Obama is progress is saying that he’s the first Black person that is qualified to be president. That’s not Black progress. That’s White progress,” Rock said. “If you saw Tina Turner and Ike having a lovely breakfast over there, would you say their relationship’s improved? Some people would. But a smart person would go, ‘Oh, he stopped punching her in the face.’ It’s not up to her.”

He goes onto say that, like many Black children, his kids are intelligent and polite. That is nothing new. What is new, however, is how they are perceived in society today.

“The advantage that my children have is that my children are encountering the nicest white people that America has ever produced,” he said. “Let’s hope America keeps producing nicer white people.”

What do you think of Rock’s stance on race?