Kevin Hart Talks About Systemic Racism in the Comedy World & Lifting Black Comedians

On a special Zoom video simulcast of their SiriusXM show Straight From The Hart, co-hosts Kevin Hart and the Plastic Cup Boyz discussed systemic racism in the stand-up world and the importance of lifting up emerging black comedians.

During one segment of Tuesday night’s show, co-host Na’im Lynn spoke about the lack of opportunities for black comedians to be seen in festivals and clubs, which Hart agreed with:

“When you think about the world of comedy, you think about where we come from, the last thing that you would have thought of is about the systematic side of racism within that world, as well. The natural growth of a comedian, from comedy club and the stages that you [have] to go through, is a lot more difficult for your black comic, male or female. You know what I mean? You have to get approved, or you have to be passed, or accepted. There is no equal opportunity floor for the black comic and the white comic. We’re not equal. The comedy clubs and stages, there are so many more that are available for your white comic…

…It’s something that we actually should look into, and open the eyes of these comedy club owners to make there more of an opportunity for comics that are…black” said Hart.

SiriusXM’s Straight From The Hart airs Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7-9pm ET on Laugh Out Loud Radio Channel 96.

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Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.