Rock says he doesn't have a message, just personal observations he takes from his life and his experiences, and in many ways, it's this lack of self-importance that make his social commentary all the more biting. If Rock did view himself as a public figure with an important message to send, if he took on the responsibility of being a role model, he wouldn't have the freedom that he has now. Dennis Miller may have demonstrated a lot of courage in proclaiming his role as mouthpiece and public informant, but his self-seriousness limits his ability to make us laugh. Similarly, comedians like Bill Maher and Janeane Garofalo can get so weighed down by their view of themselves as public figures that they lose the unselfconsciousness that leads to comic genius. By recklessly taking potshots at anything and everything, Rock has developed into a skilled marksman.

Even so, Rock may be knowingly understating the power of his words to raise the consciousness of millions of Americans. While it's common for the major figures in our counterculture to declare that they're not role models and they don't have an interest in taking a stand politically, the reality is that messages are spread differently today than they were years ago. The delivery systems for information have changed so radically in the past few decades that those who were once considered far from the center of serious political or sociological debate are playing key roles in influencing the public's perception. In a country where 21 percent of young people claim that they get their news from "The Daily Show," the equation for consciousness-raising has clearly shifted. Whether or not he chooses to accept it, Rock's significance as a radical voice in our culture is undeniable.

Rock himself hinted that he has a broad respect for those with the courage to stick their necks out for what they believe when he appeared on "Oprah" last week.

Oprah: "What do you think of 'Passion of the Christ'"?

Chris: "I think it's amazing. You know, art used to be about that. It used to be about 'OK, this is all about me, I'm going to put my money, and put my reputation on the line, and let the chips fall where they may.' I gotta applaud Mel for that."

It's been four years since his last comedy tour, and a lot has happened since, the obvious event being 9/11. And a recent New Yorker magazine profile of "Boondocks" creator Aaron McGruder suggests that he has plenty to say on the subject:

"[McGruder] went out for lunch with his friends Reginald Hudlin, the film director, and Chris Rock, the comedian. Hudlin asked Rock whether, if he still had his own TV show, he would be mining the tragic events for material. 'He was like, "Oh, yeah!"' Hudlin told me. 'He right there on the spot did fifteen minutes on 9/11 that was genius, and just to hear it done as impeccably as Chris did it was inspiring to all of us.'"

But in the special, Rock references Sept. 11 only indirectly -- but effectively. He remarks on the patriotism that has surged during the war in Iraq. "You see these weird white guys getting overly patriotic, and they have their fuckin' flag hats on, and their flag drawers, and their flag pickups. 'I'm American, man! I'm American! Fuck all these fuckin' foreigners!' There was a lot of accepted racism when the war started. 'I'm American, man! I'm American! Fuck the French!' That was cool. Then 'I'm American, man! I'm American! Fuck all these Arabs!' And that was cool. Then they went to: 'I'm American! I'm American! Fuck all these illegal aliens!' Then I started listening, because I know that niggas and Jews is next."

Like the most talented and courageous orators and artists of any era, Chris Rock's voice echoes those thoughts and emotions that others will only whisper behind closed doors. Just as Lenny Bruce or George Carlin hinted at the popular perceptions that were only starting to come to the forefront of the public's consciousness, one senses that Rock may be vocalizing the sentiments -- suspicions, fears, and hopes -- of countless Americans -- and influencing countless more.

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