Prominent civil rights leader Dick Gregory will talk tonight about his unique experiences and views on political issues as part of the Black History Month celebration.

His presentation will be held at 8 p.m. in the Sun Room of the Memorial Union. It’s free and open to the public.

Miller said students of all backgrounds will find Gregory’s lecture interesting.

“He has quite an unusual history with being a comedian and political activist,” said Pat Miller, lectures program coordinator.

Rodney Jones, member of the Black Graduate Student Association, agreed that Gregory has an important message to share.

“We chose Dick Gregory because he was very active in the civil rights movement,” said Jones, graduate student in forestry. “His perspective needs to be shared with a younger generation.”

Jones said Gregory will discuss some of the same issues he raised when he spoke at Iowa State about 20 years ago.

“He will talk about his life story as a civil rights activist and some of the racial problems that plague Americans,” Jones said. Gregory may also expand on the ideas in his book “No More Lies — The Myth and Reality of American History.”

While turning heads with his political views, Gregory is also known for making his listeners laugh.

“He is credited with opening the door for many black entertainers,” Jones said. “He uses comedy as an avenue for getting people’s attention. He makes us think as well as laugh.”

Gregory’s lecture, “Imperatives for the New Millennium,” will broach topics that are not often talked about on college campuses, Jones said.

“The focus of his talk will be to shed light on things that have been in the dark for so long, meaning the attack of government agencies on minority populations in this country,” he said.