Ever since his return to the stage via Netflix, comedian Dave Chappelle has been facing a lot of backlash, specifically on his material concerning the transgender community. His last special The Closer, sought to put these issues to rest, but was met with further outrage, even resulting in a walkout from the trans employees of Netflix.
In a recent stand-up performance (via Chappelle’s IG), Chappelle has decided to publicly address the controversy, and says that he is open to an audience with the trans community. Here’s his post:
View this post on Instagram
If anything, Chappelle remains to stand by what he said, and is saying that the media is misconstruing his relationship with the LGBTQ community. He says:
“I want everyone in this audience to know that even though the media frames it that it’s me versus that community, that is not what it is. Do not blame the LBGTQ [sic] community for any of this shit. This has nothing to do with them. It’s about corporate interests and what I can say and what I cannot say… For the record, and I need you to know this, everyone I know from that community has been loving and supporting, so I don’t know what all this nonsense is about.”
Chappelle also opens up about how he had made a documentary while working during the height of pandemic, and no studio or film festival would touch it after the backlash with his latest special.
Despite accusations labelled against him, Chappelle is still open to an audience with the trans community, granted that each member of that audience will have watched The Closer from beginning to end, and they will meet at a time and place of Chappelle’s choosing.
Admittedly, Chappelle is in a very complicated place in pop-culture, being a comedian, he still has to crack jokes, but what makes him interesting is his takes on social issues—particularly on black culture. With his invite to meet with the trans community, I’m hoping they can come to some kid of understanding so that we can put all these issues to rest.
Chappelle’s latest special, The Closer, is now available to stream on Netflix.
Source: Variety
