PETEY GREENE : The Talking Machine
Petey Greene gave a voice to the unheard, speaking truth to power on his raw and uncensored TV and radio programs.
The power of media has been around forever in many different forms as paradigms shift. From 1967 to 1983 that paradigm included the infamous Ralph Waldo Green aka Petey Greene. A man who was a sometime drinker, a sometime drug user, a wordsmith, an ex-offender, an activist, a pioneer, comedian, emcee and a two time Emmy Award - winner. Out of all these labels one thing stood true he was always and sincerely Petey.
Ralph Waldo “Petey” Greene Jr. was born in 1931 to parents en route to the prison system. Raised by his grandmother in Washington, D.C., Petey grew up in the DC Streets and was known for his slick tongue and eye-catching fashion. Petey dropped out of high school to join the army and served in Korea. I have seen two different endings to his army career: in one he was honorably discharged and in the other, he was discharged from the military for heroin use. Either way, Petey was back in DC and in 1960 he was convicted of armed robbery and sentenced to 10 years at Lorton Reformatory.
Now if he wasn't Petey Greene, this would have been a time of despair, but Petey’s gift of gab allowed him the opportunity to speak to his fellow inmates over the public address system. His slick speech, animated delivery, infused with a street slang vibrato made his presence and voice golden in jail. Petey was such a bright spot to the guards that at one point they refused to let him be paroled even though he was eligible.
Petey Greene circa 1967 , two years after his release from prison. Outside the Neighborhood Development Center at 1507 9th Street NW in March 1967.
Using his street smarts he mustered up a plan straight out of a Hollywood script. Petey convinced a fellow inmate to climb a water tower in the prison yard and threaten suicide. The pre-arrangement would have Petey the knight in shining armor. Petey talked the man down in just minutes after others were unsuccessful after hours. Petey’s artificial act of heroism earned his release in the mid 1960’s.
Shock Jock : Petey Greene’s Washington
Petey Greene's local show “Petey Greene’s Washington” was picked up by a small cable station we all may know called Black Entertainment Television or BET. Greene often discussed issues around popular culture, racism, poverty, drug usage, and current events. Petey went on to become a television and radio talk-show host and a two-time Emmy Award-winner.
Petey Greene was an enigma that took over media with an authentic and in your face style. He made sure he was uncensored and free to speak his truth and share his point of view. Given present day media censoring, this was and in ways is still well ahead of its time.
Petey holding one of his two Emmy Awards.
In conclusion, Petey Greene is a figure I have come across many times over the years. From Wiz Khalifa reenacting a scene, proper Watermelon eating instructions and his outspoken POV on racial discrimination and systemic racism. My hope is that this short read will peak your interest and ignite google searches of Petey Greene and his triumphant story.
More on Petey Greene
Youtube ($3.99 Rental)
Wikipedia
Petey Greene - LINK
