31 Comments
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Adam W. Barney's avatar

Kamau, this is why you’re one of the real ones. 🙌🏾 The way you navigate these spaces—showing up, speaking truth, and making power uncomfortable while still making people think—is a masterclass. 🏆🔥

Also, that poster from your childhood? I need one for my house. Where can I grab a copy from a Black-owned business? Gotta make sure my walls stay properly energized. ⚡✊🏾

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Rachel Heyman Resnikoff's avatar

I'm taking bets how long The Kennedy Center will retain that name...

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Joan Eisenstodt's avatar

As a DC resident, I think not long just as MAGAts are trying to control the District too. Even before the election the former GOP was trying to change the name of IAD to what I fear for too much. Evidently he’s also trying to get his former hotel back.

You did good, Kamau Bell, by performing. The staff needed you. The audience too.

Yes, there are times to show up and this was one

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W. Kamau Bell's avatar

Thank you!

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Joanne's avatar

Oh no! I hadn't thought of that.

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Lynne Hollingsworth's avatar

With your amazing messages and your realness, there would have been NO better place to have shown up! Fuck the haters…AND you probably turned some heads around!

Keep on keeping on!

You’re the best!

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Simma Lieberman's avatar

The Kennedy Center is now declared Trump territory. You took it over, spread the good word, and laughed in the face of Trump/Maga. That is a revolutionary act. You did not go to buddy up with Trump, get his approval, or wear the red hat. As one of the living late 60's and 70's activists, it was considered almost sabotage when we went to "their" places and "took them over," even for an hour. I also respect those who decided not to perform or conduct "business as usual." There are different ways to protest for different situations. When you back performing in your home town of the East Bay? I would go to SF to see you.

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Dan St. Paul's avatar

I was gonna say you are the new Dick Gregory but you like to eat too much.

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W. Kamau Bell's avatar

🍔🌭🌮🌯🥪🥙🍕🍟🍖🥓🍱🥘🧆🍲🍛🍜🍝🍣🍤🍿🥟

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Josh Casey's avatar

Thank you for being an example.

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Josh Casey's avatar

Is there a book signing in mind for the Portland show?

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W. Kamau Bell's avatar

We will try to make that happen.

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Kelly Eggers's avatar

I absolutely think you did the right thing Kamau!! Why should Trump get exactly the people we need to hear from to walk away and not be heard!! No one should cancel!! Step into the stage and proudly speak your piece! Wake up America!! Be woke!!! Bless you Kamau. It shouldn’t take such courage to be the wonder that is you but it does. But you have the courage it takes and so many people stand with you and against MrTrump and his hateful ways.♥️🌈

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Terri Young's avatar

You had a right to chose for your performance at the Kennedy Center. You got to be YOU. Glad you did it, glad I saw you do it at the Mondavi Center (Davis.) I'm with you 1000 per cent. And I joined Kahlil earlier in the month on Patreon, looking forward to zoom day ; )

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Nicole Bertucci's avatar

Yeeeeeeeeah! I'm a newly paid subscriber finally, so I get to join in on these convos now and tell you how great I think you and your writing are, and how important your voice is to the current conversations we should all be having. Looking forward to getting to join in on Office Hours, especially this month's with Khalil Greene. I'll also be logging on promptly at 10am tomorrow morning to purchase pre-sale tickets to one of your Berkeley shows in April. Could not be more excited you're bringing it on home to the Bay!

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W. Kamau Bell's avatar

Thank you!

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Nicole Bertucci's avatar

Just read your welcome letter:

“If you have a friend or enemy who might benefit from reading my thoughts…” Yes, yes to both. 😂

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W. Kamau Bell's avatar

WELCOME!!!!

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Livi's avatar

Yes!! I'm so glad that you performed and brought your most "wokey-est" self. Truth to power the way you're called to do it! There are many ways to take action in the chaos of this cruel administration. I love Sweet Honey in the Rock. They spoke through their music and their actions. They spoke to you. You listened. You danced. (Thanks for supporting the LGBTQ community.) You rocked the Kennedy Center!!

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Dan St. Paul's avatar

Right on! So proud to know you. We all need some truth-telling right now.

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Roslyn Reid's avatar

The fact is, the bastards who are shredding our democracy & trying to replace it with their bible have been very well organized since at least the 1980s. They also knew to fly under the radar so there would be very little knowledge about their agenda, or even their existence. This is what you can do when you organize & stay on point.

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wendy's avatar

Hey, when can I see you in Berkeley?? When are you gonna perform here?

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W. Kamau Bell's avatar

Hold tight.

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james l gardner's avatar

right on kamau bell

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Deidre Ann Johnson's avatar

Kamau,

I'm a HUGE fan of both your intellect and your funny! The great comedians have always spoken truth to power so I'm behind you 150%.

Although I'm in NYC, I will try to see your show in either NJ or MA.

Keep on keeping on!

Deidre Ann

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Ravi's avatar

Love you man! Here's my latest -

MOSF 20.4: A Modest Proposal: The Universal Church of DEI (Latin for God; and with CHOLE, because I’m South Asian!) https://eastwindezine.com/mosf-20-4-a-modest-proposal-the-universal-church-of-dei-latin-for-god-and-with-chole-because-im-south-asian/

and

MOSF 20.3: Asian American Medical Students, Microaggressions, and DEI Initiatives https://eastwindezine.com/mosf-20-3-asian-american-medical-students-microaggressions-and-dei-initiatives/

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Ravi's avatar

The H in CHOLE could be for Humor too :)

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