David Chappelle is a rich jackass
If you find comedic bigotry funny, congratulations. You're part of the problem.
With the release of Dave Chappelle’s new special on Netflix, “The Dreamer,” a new round of commentary will argue that his brand of socially bigoted humor is brave, edgy free speech that challenges a prevailing overwoke culture, or, conversely, down-punching queer-hating entertainment dressed up as social commentary. Watching Katt Williams give a masterclass on how to be edgy for real, there is no excuse for Dave to use his privilege and platform to lodge attacks on marginalized people except that he truly is a careless, pompous, weed-addled ass. I’m too exhausted by the stupidity of people not to recognize the moral failure in calling rich bigots “brave,” so instead of writing my own missive, I’m being as lazy as Dave in crafting a response. I’ve adapted the following post from a sharp review by Signified B Sides on YouTube. He has far more time and patience for analysis in this case.
Dave Chappelle recently released his latest comedy special on Netflix this past weekend, prompting me to revisit some of my previous thoughts. In 2021, I created a video titled "Dave Chappelle Only Tells Half the Truth" to respond to his special, "The Closer." I made that video out of frustration because many people in my community, or at least those I was connected with, didn't seem to grasp how harmful Dave was in that special. They lacked understanding of the trans experience, and Dave's remarks seemed ignorant.
Many were hailing Dave as a truth-teller without realizing he didn't really know what he was talking about. I attempted to address the issues with Dave's commentary while avoiding alienating those who also lacked understanding of the matter. The video was quite successful, with numerous people expressing how it helped them see things differently. That's a significant win, knowing I contributed to others' understanding.
Now, two or three years later, after watching Dave's latest special, "The Dreamer," I can confidently say that my initial assessment was on point. It's as if Dave Chappelle watched my video and tried to validate my analysis by incorporating it into his latest work.
First, let's address some common objections. People often wonder why we can't simply "cancel" Dave Chappelle. Well, Dave can't be canceled. Two years ago, amidst controversy, he signed more Netflix specials, demonstrating that rich and famous people rarely face actual consequences. This notion that comedians have a unique edge in saying what others won't only perpetuates harmful rhetoric. If a comedian were making derogatory jokes about a race like Dave does about trans people, the backlash would be swift and severe.
Another objection is the argument for differing opinions. While everyone has the right to their opinion, it's important to acknowledge when one's opinion is bigoted or harmful. People often use this defense as a shield to avoid confronting their biases and the harm caused by their beliefs. Instead of explaining why their stance isn't wrong, they resort to defending their right to be bigoted.
Dave Chappelle can express his views, but it doesn't absolve him from criticism and consequences. Freedom of speech doesn't equate to freedom from criticism. Many excuses people use to defend Dave's jokes often divert from the core issue, which is the harm caused by his transphobic content.
It's important to note that critiquing Dave's comedy doesn't mean we can't enjoy some aspects of his work. Even though I found parts of "The Dreamer" funny, mainly those unrelated to the offensive content, it doesn't negate the need for criticism. I've critiqued other artists and creators I admire when their work has issues.
In "The Dreamer," Dave resorts to a tactic known as "lampshading" throughout the special. Lampshading is when a creator intentionally acknowledges a flaw or inconsistency within their work, hoping to preempt criticism. While this technique can be effective, it can also come across as lazy writing or an excuse for bad jokes. Dave frequently uses lampshading to justify offensive content, making it clear that he's aware it's offensive and then delivering those jokes anyway.
Dave's offensive jokes, particularly those targeting trans people, lack cleverness and punch down on marginalized communities. While Bill Burr also incorporates race into his comedy, his jokes generally avoid harmful stereotypes and instead focus on his own confusion and interactions with black people, as he is a part of that community. Dave's jokes, on the other hand, reinforce stereotypes and offer no genuine humor or insight.
Moreover, Dave doesn't seem to have a deep understanding or respect for the communities he targets with his jokes. While some of his jokes may be clever, they often fall short of being genuinely funny and come across as offensive for the sake of being offensive. He tries to include marginalized communities in his comedy, but the intent doesn't align with the execution.
Dave's attempt to justify his offensive content by mentioning his one trans friend who tragically committed suicide falls flat. It reveals a lack of understanding and respect for the trans community, as he uses this tangential experience to make sweeping statements about them.
Dave Chappelle's "The Dreamer" continues to perpetuate harmful content, mainly targeting trans people. While he may attempt to lampshade his offensive jokes, it doesn't excuse the laziness and insensitivity in his comedy. His misplaced confidence and lack of genuine understanding of the communities he jokes about are evident throughout the special. Rather than engaging in thoughtful critique, he doubles down on his offensive material, missing an opportunity to contribute positively to the conversation around these issues.