Richard Pryor. (YouTube)

Police killings of unarmed black people have poured gasoline on the race relations debate in America, but the United States has been a divided country since its founding.

READ: Zianna Oliphant, Fearless Fourth-Grader Speaks on Racial Injustice

Richard Pryor pointed out this fact 40 years ago. In a television interview with journalist Bill Boggs, the late, great comedian explained why white America doesn’t want to stop racism.

WATCH: Compassion Leads to Action When It Comes to Racial Injustice

“They are probably afraid of that, because then people don’t hate each other,” Pryor said. “Then, people start talking to each other. And then, they start talking to each other and they find out who’s the problem.”

And who is the problem?

It’s “greedy people,” according to Pryor.

For some bonus material, Pryor talks about his comedic influences with James Earl Jones and gets roasted.

—Posted by Eric Ortiz

WAIT BEFORE YOU GO...

This year, the ground feels uncertain — facts are buried and those in power are working to keep them hidden. Now more than ever, independent journalism must go beneath the surface.

At Truthdig, we don’t just report what's happening — we investigate how and why. We follow the threads others leave behind and uncover the forces shaping our future.

Your tax-deductible donation fuels journalism that asks harder questions and digs where others won’t.

Don’t settle for surface-level coverage.

Unearth what matters. Help dig deeper.

Donate now.

SUPPORT TRUTHDIG