There’s a moment early on in Dave Chappelle’s latest Netflix special, The Closer, where he remarks on the relative speed with which the LGBTQ movement gained social acceptance compared to the movement for Black civil rights. The punchline involves Chappelle doing a decent Martin Luther King impression and giving a new set of marching orders to civil rights activists.
i had no idea where this article would go, and was even more surprised than i expected to be. there are so many twists and turns among all the points you want to make. as always you're loath to rule out a point of view or judge, but ready as ever to demolish as thoroughly as possible what you see as hypocritical or damaging to others, either advertantly or inadvertantly. i'm not very familiar with all the arguments about the limits comedy can go to to, as you say, create tension through outrage and then dispel with, often with some form of self-analysis/commentary, meaning, i'm vulnerable as i'm saying these things, to ward off attack maybe? anyway, being of a different generation i'm more easily offended than many, i think, so was predisposed to criticize chapelle's performance, but i more appreciate your discussion about what seems like his confusion about what he's doing. who are "his people", does he realize what he's saying about himself as much as he thinks he does? does he intend to smear black trans people? and i appreciate how throughout, you help illuminate the negative impact of the hierarchy of oppression. instead, solidarity forever....
Great article, to read, learn and think... Our world is changing and where there is change there will be a conflict of thoughts and ideas... Dave Chappelle takes for granted that folks know he's a comedian and therefore I feel he thinks he can criticize, comment, and justify making fun of folks in most cases that have made fun of black people and our trials and tribulations... Does this help? NO!! He doesn't care... Once he was accepted and admired for what he brought to the table in the form of laughter, he continues to push our buttons... Self-love is the answer!! "Be patient and considerate towards others when they can't understand your perspective." SOLIDARITY FOREVER!!!
Great piece. Up there with Roxane Gay in NYT, even more interesting. Looking forward to part 2!
i had no idea where this article would go, and was even more surprised than i expected to be. there are so many twists and turns among all the points you want to make. as always you're loath to rule out a point of view or judge, but ready as ever to demolish as thoroughly as possible what you see as hypocritical or damaging to others, either advertantly or inadvertantly. i'm not very familiar with all the arguments about the limits comedy can go to to, as you say, create tension through outrage and then dispel with, often with some form of self-analysis/commentary, meaning, i'm vulnerable as i'm saying these things, to ward off attack maybe? anyway, being of a different generation i'm more easily offended than many, i think, so was predisposed to criticize chapelle's performance, but i more appreciate your discussion about what seems like his confusion about what he's doing. who are "his people", does he realize what he's saying about himself as much as he thinks he does? does he intend to smear black trans people? and i appreciate how throughout, you help illuminate the negative impact of the hierarchy of oppression. instead, solidarity forever....
Great article, to read, learn and think... Our world is changing and where there is change there will be a conflict of thoughts and ideas... Dave Chappelle takes for granted that folks know he's a comedian and therefore I feel he thinks he can criticize, comment, and justify making fun of folks in most cases that have made fun of black people and our trials and tribulations... Does this help? NO!! He doesn't care... Once he was accepted and admired for what he brought to the table in the form of laughter, he continues to push our buttons... Self-love is the answer!! "Be patient and considerate towards others when they can't understand your perspective." SOLIDARITY FOREVER!!!