Black political satirist Bell brings views on race, politics to Valley

YOUNGSTOWN — Black sociopolitical comedian and television personality, W. Kamau Bell, said the presidential election race is like watching a car wreck in a tar field.

“Trump is a trouble-maker. If he was a kid, you’d put him in the dunce chair. I don’t even think he wants the job,” said Bell, host of the CNN docu-series, “United Shades of America,” who brought his unique brand of humor, laced with the message that the United States is still racist, to Stambaugh Auditorium tonight at the Youngstown State University Centofanti Symposium.

Bell also applauded San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick for his taking a knee during the national anthem before games.

Grabbing a chair, Bell, raised his right fist in a black power salute, ala American black athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos during their medal ceremony at the 1968 Olympics. “I’m with you brother,” he said of Kaepernick.

The Centofanti Symposium, financed by the James and Coralie Centofanti Charitable Foundation, was established at YSU to bring outstanding speakers to the university and community, with the goal of raising consciousness about the challenges facing vulnerable groups in society.

For the complete story, read Thursday's Vindicator and Vindy.com