Dave Chappelle Loves Being Cancelled

Dave Chappelle is being cancelled for his new special on Netflix, “The Closer”. The LGBTQ+ community is upset at Chappelle for ridiculing them and making jokes.  Just as Chapelle suspected, cancel culture was on his case. Chapelle had plenty to say in response to his observation of the respective group:

The comedian has indeed been on the comedy scene for a long time.  He has never strayed from his comedic stance on topics of concerns.  The comedic community is not popular for being nice, but for the hard truths they present in a funny manner.  He displays a caring nature for the topics he addresses but, did he go too far this time?

The Controversial Comedian

Dave Chappelle is known for his direct jokes and punchlines. Nothing is off limits for the comedian, hence his grand fan-base. His tell it like it is nature can be perceived as uncaring and insensitive.  In “The Bird Revelation,” the first comedy special to focus on the #MeToo movement, Dave Chappelle ruffled feathers by addressing the history of sexual misconduct. Some of who tuned in were not pleased. The jokes were interpreted as demeaning the values of the movements, but how they are achieving them.

Chappelle’s Routine

Before he started the homophobic jokes, he specifically said that he is not trying to stir up trouble. He then continues on to comment on how DaBaby killed someone and there were no repercussions in his music career. Hesitant but firm in his stance, he addresses homophobic community. His career has derailed due to past comments of homophobic nature.  In The Closer, Chapelle says,

“I’m not that fond of these newer gays. Too sensitive. Too brittle. Those aren’t the gays I grew up with … They fought for their freedom. I respect that s–t,”

Chappelle admits that he is transphobic. He does not like the idea of them. However, he still sees them as people. He does not approve of their life style, but he still wishes for them to have the same rights as anyone else. All of Chappelle’s jokes about trans people are either about why he does not feel comfortable with them, or about them being humans just like anyone else, regardless of anything else.

The LGBTQ+ community cancelling him is ironic. All press is good press right? This special with the message of acceptance.  Chappelle is loving this discrepancy. “If this is what being canceled is like, I love it.”

Chappelle ends his special by sharing that empathy is not gay, or black; its bi-sexual. In other words, it goes both ways. His overall message: do not judge others on how they love their lives, but for how they treat people.

Written by Justin Acosta: Twitter @hahalacka