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ADJUST YOUR COLOR: The Truth of Petey Greene
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Independent Lens Talkback: Adjust Your Color

"Adjust Your Color:The Truth of Petey Greene" Documentaries don't get much better than this one.
Pete Greene is a way shower. Telling us not to sit idly by and watch the snake eat is young. We have
things to do beside making money. We have to care about our communities, we have to give back even when we think we have nothing to give, give anyway. Sounds like mother Teresa, but it who Petey was. If he could fight his way back to help we all can. I love the message, and I want to thank Independent Lens for making it apart of is series. I purchase the film, and I'm sharing it with whoever will listen. This has moved me out of obscurity into the sunlight. Long live Petey Greene.

Posted by: Lilly Guess on July 27, 2009


The best! We need more from these talented, professional film makers!

Posted by: helen on July 27, 2009


I saw the segment about Petey Greene on PBS on channel 12 in Philadelphia the other night and was awed. I wish I would have seen his segments back when he was still alive. I wonder what his statements would be about the state of America today, everything from the youth to the fact we have a African American President? Is there another way I could order Adjust your Color,The Petey Greene Story. Im writing to you on my side kick phone because my computer is down andI can't click on that buy the video icon? You need to do a video on the youth going in and out of the penetentiary like some right of passage. I talk to my daughter everyday about not using drugs and she's only 5. I believe the raising starts in the cradle. I've also made my mistakes but Thank God he spared me fromsome things. I did alittle jail time in the service but none after getting out. I've been on drugs and been in these streets. All I have to say is I'm blessed. I've been married 3 times, the third I did right. I don't know why I'm telling you all this. I just appeciate what you people at Indepedent lens do. Thank You

Posted by: Anonymous on February 19, 2009


Thank you independent lens for showing the real Petey Greene. I do remember he used to come on WYCB 7p-8p every night. But I also remember him like a father figure who protected me one night while I was in the club "Pied Piper on Georgia Ave. Someone pulled out a gun, I came out of the ladies room, and Petey put his arms around me and told me not to go anywhere, because someone had a gun. Thanks for showing him in the raw and natural

Posted by: miss j on February 19, 2009


I caught this documentary just before going to work. I was captivated instantly by Petey's direct style...

He reaches out from 30 years ago, but I don't get hate from him, I get a vigorous educator. The scene with Howard Stern underlined the ability for Petey to think well beyond any paradigm of color or race... and his anger seems to have been directed not to blame others, but to shed light on the injustices of his day.

I do indeed wish we had anyone like him today.

Posted by: Matt Seil on February 9, 2009


I was born in 74 so i dont remember much about mr. green.I felt moved enough to visit the web page.Just feeling like i should be doing more to help people not white people or black people but all people thank you.

Posted by: LEWIS SIMS on February 8, 2009


I saw Petey Greene in the movie and it does no justice to the "REAL" Petey Greene. I was born in 1968 and at that time growing up I remember hearing people talk just like him. I did not grow up in DC but in the midwest. I know it is his truthful speaking that has shed light on what was happening at the time. I believe it was his voice in Washington DC that has led the people to listen to another voice of reason President Obama. I could not think of a better person to focus on during Black History month than someone who is real and all about public service and the people. All Americans learn by listening to our past and using it's wisdom during our difficult times now.

Posted by: Josie on February 7, 2009


What an excellent documentary. In this age of political correctness, I doubt very much Petey Greene would have a voice on the radio let alone TV. Thank you PBS and Independent Lens. I always look forward to the pieces that are aired. "Adjust Your Color" is definitely on my DVD list.

Posted by: HJV on February 7, 2009


I Tivo Independent Lens and watch it when I can. I can't tell you have much you have ignited my soul with such an awe-inspiring documentary. Petey Greene jumps off the screen and into your heart. Truly Amazing!

Posted by: Dick Burl on February 6, 2009


I was thumbing thur the stations.. and came upon petey I was shocked into enjoyment. I laught and felt remorse also I got a tear or two.. But now from what I have witness in those short moments I want everyone I know to know about this black man that served Washington DC. Not because of what he did mostly because, I didnt know of him.. He has history and now he will be updated.. I believe in telling the world of the new things that they are missing.. I wanted to start with my family and friends and then I will spread what I know of this Petey... Green... 02-04-09 This is the First time every I have heard of this man.. Someone not know by others or lease no one I know has spoken of him... I am excited and I want more information to share with other...

Posted by: Rosa Graham on February 6, 2009


On Febuary 3, 2009 , the Peety Greene story aired,
I watched and it was thelled. It takes me to a time that I was too young to rember but was very good.
As I watch the story Mr.Geene was definetly DC's own
Black activist and shock jock on 1450am WOL. Later on, PBS featured stars like Chuck Brown and tv anchor James Brown talk about their memories on him. Mr.Greene inspired youth and even James Brown to go into brocasting. Mr.Geene was in jail with Chuck Brown and oddly enough that's were Mr. Greene began his brocasting career, on the radio from Lorton-DCjail and that was his and Chuck's turn around from their criminal past. I believe he was very inspiring even now as when he was living.

Posted by: Gerald E. Smith on February 5, 2009


I want to thank PBS for presenting this excellent documentary about Petey Greene. I grew up in a suburb of Detroit during the 60's and never knew about Petey Greene growing up. I admire his being so outspoken during those turbulent times.

Posted by: Ellen Tippit on February 5, 2009


This documentary was simply a soul stirring movie for my husband and me. I'm a child of the 60's and I wish with all my heart I would have been exposed to Petey Green. I do believe Petey is in heaven sitting on a cloud with his grandmother just as he believed he would be.

Posted by: Susan Grove on February 4, 2009


RIVETING! I wanted to turn the channel as I heard the rantings and ravings of what appeared to be a brother out of control, but I'm so glad I didn't. Petey Green gained street credibility because he spoke the truth. That method caused folks to listen, that otherwise would have continued to be disengaged. He exemplied the ultimate social change agent, in a time when people had begun to tune out.
Because of the trust factor he'd built based on the certainty of his truth (like it or not), he single handedly settled a community in rage!!
Sadly, demons were a part of this man, and played significantly in who Petey Greene really was.

But faults, paradoxes and all - Petey Greene was and is a significant part of American history!

Posted by: Cheryl on February 4, 2009


Wow, great job! This is one superb documentary!

Posted by: Nadine Phillips on February 4, 2009


Having been born and raised in Washington D.C., I know D.C. as a place where parallel worlds-government/lobbyists/diplomats, middle-class, working-class, underclass, black, white, others-exist in great silent distances between those parallel worlds. As the clip of Petey Greene and Midge Costanza clearly showed, Greene was not the "wise fool" many of his fans believed him to be. But, he was Washington D.C.'s unsupressed id with a microphone.

Posted by: sandra m on February 4, 2009


I was born in 1972 and I had never heard of Mr Petey Green until now. When the movie came out I didn't pay much attention to it, but the truth in this documentary is really good. I wish I could have a Petey Green in this day and time.

Posted by: Nicole Michelle on February 4, 2009


The first time I saw Petey Green was at United Planning Organization. The second was at the Howard Theater. He opened the show for Moms Mabley and Pig Meat Markham, two black comedians. Everyone was talking about how funny and good Petey was. It made me feel proud to say I knew him. I turned around and told the audience I work with him at UPO. I loved to sit and listen to Petey talk. If you really listened to him you could get a lot out of his stories. I stood in the cold to pay my respects at his wake. I would not and have not done that since for anyone else.

Posted by: Sharon L. Smith on February 4, 2009


I'm trying to understand as to why Petey's show isn't aired as reruns on a network (e.g. BET, TVOne, TVLand, etc); especially with the connections and clout that Dewey Hughes commands.

Posted by: McCloud on February 4, 2009


Thank you PBS for airing this documentary of people that I did not know about buit heard about on the streets of Chicago growing up on the westside.I have heard of people referring to Petey Greene if you made certains jokes or if you had a rhyme going but this is was the first time that I was able to put a face to the name.Your station is a blessing to all and I pray that you will continue to educate the American people with the different programs that you air.

Posted by: Rev. Jacobs on February 4, 2009


As Kid myself and the rest of my family was on the Petey Greene Show
Mr. Greene inter viewed my pop and we all was on the show with him.
I am not shore what the show was about, because I was pretty young.
My pop has passed away sense that time, and I was wondering if it was possible to get a copy of that show
I will be watching the special on Tuesday..
thank you

Editor's note: DVDs are available at ShopPBS

Posted by: Michael on February 2, 2009


I am looking forward to seeing the documentary. I met Joe Fries, via Dewey Hughes, while the feature was being shot in Canada and Joe told me the documetary was coming soon after the movie. My brother, Glenn Harris, a local D C T V sports personality was pretty tight with Petey. I don t know if you guys talked to him, but he had some pretty good stories. I knew him in the last few years of his life. He was always supportive of things I was doing at that time. I am glad the world is getting to know Petey Greene

Posted by: ron harris on January 29, 2009


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