Dave Chappelle’s experience has taught us that anything can be done. Chappelle is a little bit like a lightning rod. His comedy has been a huge success over the past few years. There are no sacred cows with Chappelle. Everyone, any group and every ideology are fair game. His relentless attacks on all people, regardless of race, religion, political belief, or sexual orientation, have been unabated. However, only one has come as hard as they have against Chappelle: “The T’s.”
No one, including anyone here at RedState, missed the drama that exploded after Chappelle’s latest special, which he declared would be his last for a while. Because of some off-color jokes that poked fun at the gender identity of one transgendered man with whom Dave had formed a friendship, Chappelle was made the target by the transgender community.
The friend, who identified as a woman, unfortunately killed herself in the wake of defending Chappelle against the last salvo of hate thrown his way from the T’s. In a touching moment in the special, Chappelle spoke of a trust he had set up for the daughter of his deceased friend — showing that he was willing to do what the transgendered community was not — and how he intended to give those funds to her to help her become whatever she wished to be. In typical Chappelle fashion, he stated that he would turn over the trust to the daughter with a proud announcement of “I knew your father.”
It was obvious that Chappelle wasn’t going anywhere after weeks of temper tantrums by Netflix employees. Chappelle was open to discussing the issue with any interested parties. While he stated there were no conditions associated with his demands, he later joked that he had three conditions: First, that they watch his special before sitting down with him; second, that they meet at a time and place of Dave’s choosing, so that he wasn’t ambushed; and third, that anyone involved had to admit that Hannah Gadsby, a transgendered Netflix star, is not funny.
It was only natural that Chappelle, a former student at the D.C. school, would appear to be pushing the boundaries yet again. Chappelle accomplished just that.
On Tuesday Chappelle visited the Duke Ellington School of Arts, Washington D.C. This appearance was originally planned as a fundraiser. However, students threatened to walk out, which led to the postponement. Now, several students and parents are complaining about Chappelle’s appearance and talk, stating that Chappelle was condescending to the students, argumentative, and rude. One student suggested his jokes were “laced with bigotry and ignorance.” Another pointed out that they believed Chappelle’s intentional “misgendering” (which Chappelle even questioned what it even was) was responsible for deaths.
It is so frustrating to watch these people struggle with their lives. I also hate hearing the jokes they make about things that are dear. But maybe you can find some help here.
Warning! The following may contain coarse language
DAVE. CHAPPELLE. DOESN’T. F***ING. CARE.
If there is anything Chappelle has shown over the years, it is his complete and total inability to be “owned” by anyone or anything. When Viacom offered him a huge payday to continue with “Chappelle Show,” Dave decided it was a good time to step back, as he felt the new contract came with too many strings attached and had him ceding too much control to Viacom in the process. Chappelle was gone forever, and he returned to Netflix in a multi-special deal.
Those specials have routinely hurt the feelings of some dainty flowers, who are incapable of laughing at themselves, the pinnacle of which was this last special, “The Closer,” which began streaming in October. It would be Chappelle’s last special. He probably knew the controversy that he was creating.
The Chappelle haters act like they can control him or somehow force him into an apology for something for which he clearly isn’t sorry. He has to apologize for what? Whom did Chappelle target? Chappelle did not target anyone. There was none. No one.
Dave’s own free thought, and potentially even biased or bigoted opinion (for the record I think it is neither of those things), is no less valuable than the opinion of those who hate on him. Chappelle has proven himself to be respectful and good to those around him, regardless of any of the defining characteristics of that person — including whether or not they chose to sever their genitals. Chappelle’s jokes about Black people no more decide that he hates Black people than do his jokes about “the T’s” mean that he hates members of the transgendered community.
They push on, believing that Chappelle’s fans and Chappelle will eventually wave the white flag denial. Are they sure Chappelle is worthy of their support? Are they convinced that Chappelle is in need of the funds? Are they concerned about their opinions about Chappelle? Clearly, no. Chappelle doesn’t care. And not because he’s unfeeling toward their plight, or that he wants them to suffer because of his words. It is that their speech, can’t silence his speech. That’s it.
My belief has been that Chappelle is the best comedian of his generation, if he’s not already. He doesn’t come by that greatness by catering to a specific audience or by running his jokes by the woke crowd ahead of time. He is the real thing. He’s both a poet and a philosopher. He’s a fighter for free speech.
Most importantly, he doesn’t care what you think about him.
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