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Stephen Colbert Black Lives Matter Segment
Stephen Colbert Black Lives Matter Segment

Stephen Colbert Addresses Police Brutality: "Black People Aren't Imagining This Stuff"

Lenny Kravitz, Grace Jones, Lauryn Hill, Lion Babe, Thundercat, SZA & More Rock The Afropunk Festival 2015 in Brooklyn, NY.

Stephen Colbert has made no effort to mask his support for the Black Lives Matter movement in recent weeks, and on Monday night the CBS Late Show host took special time out to address racial discrimination, police violence and the disproportionate struggles black Americans face when dealing with the American justice system. "These days there are a lot of people out there talking about the use of excessive force by the police," Colbert said, "and without courting any controversy I want to say that police have a very hard job putting their lives on the line. And the vast majority are good people."

"On the other hand, black people aren't imagining this stuff."

The question how to reduce the possibility of police abuse while still upholding order and safety was at the center of Colbert's discussion, which included more than a moments of comic relief like footage of a Washington D.C. officer de-escalating a situation via a dance-off. "This," Colbert said, "is a great example for all law enforcement. Before resorting to violence first, just try to twerk things out."

Colbert also took time to joke a bit about California police force's recent use of nunchucks, and ultimately closed the segment on a light-hearted note about amateur nunchuck shenanigans. Still, to hear a call for calmer and more cooperative policing come from one of the nation's leading late night hosts is a step in the right direction.

Watch Stephen Colbert's bit of truth below.