"Black is the New White," Another Modern Moron Review

 

“I don’t believe in racial neutrality, it’s always a lie,” writer / comedian, Paul Mooney said.   

Paul Mooney’s 2010 book, “Black is the New White,” details the subtle differences in black and white people with a truly whimsical style.  

Mooney wrote the 1970s classic “Saturday Night Live” skit between Chevy Chase and Richard Pryor, in which Chevy Case called Pryor the N-word to his face on regular TV, and it worked hilariously because of Mooney’s sagacious writing style.

Human salvation lies in the hands of the creativity maladjusted Mooney said. Mooney’s many writing endeavors include being a full-time writer for Richard Pryor, “Sanford and Son,” “Chappelle’s Show,” and much more.

Mooney wrote the “Negrodamus” skits for “Chapple’s Show.” Mooney portrayed Negrodamus instead of Nostradamus.

“Black is the New White” details how addictions conquer a person decades before their time of death. Mooney not only wrote for Richard Pryor, but he was also his friend.

In the 1960s, and 70s, booze, cocaine and pussy were Pryor’s three food groups, Mooney said. Mooney was always the designed driver when himself, Pryor and others would chaotically carouse in the city of Los Angeles. Mooney said he often felt like he was the only one in LA in the 60s and 70s who wasn’t high. Mooney occasionally imbibed adult beverages, but cocaine and all the hard drugs were simple not for him.

“Mooney don’t do none of this (cocaine) shit, he’s cool, I get’s Mooney’s share, more for me.” Pryor says this again and again during the whole time Mooney knew him.

Mooney said Pryor was making $50,000 a year in 1969 and spending a $100,000 on cocaine.

Mooney honestly believed something deep in the root of Richard Pryor’s soul was bothering him. Pryor co-wrote the screen-play of “Blazing Saddles,” with Mel Brooks and three other writers. Pryor was also going to portray the black sheriff in the movie, but Brooks didn’t like Pryor’s reputation for showing up to the Hollywood sets under the influence of booze and or drugs. For more details, read “Black is the New White.”

“I didn’t love Richard Pryor for his comic genius, and I didn’t hate him for being a degenerate drug user. I loved him because he’s Richard.

Paul Mooney and Richard Pryor

Mooney said Pryor was depressed, even during the worldwide release of “Brewster’s Millions.” Mooney was baffled that Pryor still wasn’t happy. John Candy, who also starred in “Brewster’s Millions,” was not well received by Mooney to say the least. Read the book for more details.  

Mooney said Richard Pryor loved doing stand-up comedy with little or even no written material. Pryor had the ability to feed off his audiences and counter hecklers, he enjoyed the risks and rewards of performing on the cuff.

Mooney also considered comedian George Carlin to be a genius, but unlike Pryor, Carlin relied on his well scripted timing, and it worked! Mooney said.

Gossip hungry souls would be intrigued how Mooney lost his virginity. Indeed, wild stuff. Read ‘Black is the New White” for the lascivious details.   

I love Mooney’s insight on religion; ‘Those who stick a knife in the innocent souls of children will burn in hell,” he said.

Mooney and Redd Foxx had some potent words for the mistreatment of black writers and performers in Hollywood, and yes, for more details, you know what to do.

The Black Pack, Arsenio Hall, Mooney, Eddie Murphy, Robert Townsend and Keenan Ivory Wayans

Whether I was teaching English to fourth graders, middle schoolers, high schoolers or college students, “Black is the New White,” would be a required read for my students. Four and a half stars for this enlightening book.   

Seventy-nine-year-old, Paul Mooney died of a heart attack on May 19, and yes, his comedy and his wisdom will be missed. I agree that Mooney was the ‘Godfather’ of modern black comedy.

Mark Izzy Schurr