W. Kamau Bell, who met with members of the Ku Klux Klan for his CNN present United Shades of America, is taking one other laborious take a look at the place America is true now. And this time, he’s taking it on the street.
The Emmy-winning comic, identified for his incisive social commentary, is on the Who’s With Me Tour?, sharing new ideas which can be deeply private and related. He’s navigating fatherhood, present occasions and the ever-present challenges dealing with the nation, all whereas sustaining his signature mix of wit and demanding statement.
“My viewers expects me to speak about present occasions, information, politics, race and racism from the angle of a Black Gen X dad with progressive beliefs who grew up round radical Black politics, in order that’s what I do,” he shared with EBONY, including how he’s gotten to see life by means of the eyes of his Gen Z youngsters as properly. “I’m telling tales about elevating three Black/mixed-race women with my spouse.”
One among his most memorable reveals was on the Kennedy Middle this previous February, because it was introduced that Donald Trump can be put in as its president. “Whereas it was controversial within the eyes of some, I’m grateful that I used to be in a position to be so many individuals’s final journey to the Kennedy Middle in Washington, D.C. on February 13. Trump had simply taken over the Kennedy Middle the day earlier than,” he recalled.
“I stepped on the stage within the custom of [the all-woman, African American a cappella ensemble] Candy Honey within the Rock, who confirmed up in locations they might not have been needed, like throughout the anti-trans rest room payments in North Carolina. I’m proud to say that I used my voice to name this administration out, specific solidarity with drag queens who had been being focused and to offer these within the viewers a cathartic good time.
Bell first tried out new materials throughout his 2024 residency on the Berkeley Repertory Theatre in his house state of California. “I used to be in a position to do an hour each Saturday. At first, I had some good nights and a few unhealthy nights. I joke that it was like when Michael Jordan first got here again to basketball after taking part in baseball,” he chuckled. “My second residency bought so much higher once I let my children come and hang around and be part of the reveals. My oldest daughter opened a few of my reveals, singing and taking part in guitar. My center daughter generally did jokes with me onstage.”
As for the state of the nation now, Bell is fairly simple in his evaluation. “We’re doomed until these of us who need to be on the correct aspect of historical past pull collectively and cease our nation from turning right into a fascist state,” he declared. “I outline the correct aspect of historical past because the aspect with the ghosts of Harriet Tubman, Fannie Lou Hamer, bell hooks and Nikki Giovanni.”
His recommendation? “Determine methods to assist these in your neighborhood who want it in the event you can. Additionally, get a passport in case you should get out of Dodge fast, quick and in a rush.
Catch Bell on the Who’s With Me? Tour on Could 23 at The Wilbur in Boston and throughout the nation by means of July 12.