For Millennials. By Millennials.
It looks like the Dave Chappelle controversy is not going away any time soon. Last week, the comedian’s special, Closer was released on Netflix. However, the comedian and the platform met with severe backlash. During the special, Chappelle made several offensive jokes about the trans community. This led to the internet and Netflix’s employees protesting against him. Despite the heavy criticism, Netflix CEO defended the comedian. Recently, Chappelle responded to cancel culture and the trans community. Needless to say, things are not looking good.
After Dave Chappelle special came out, people pointed out everything wrong with it
Its no secret that Dave Chappelle is the most popular comedian right now. Therefore, everyone looked forward to his special, Closer. However, the comedian made many offensive and derogatory jokes directed towards the trans community. After the release, people spoke up about it and called for the cancellation of Dave Chappelle. At the same time, many employees of Netflix walked out in protest. However, Netflix CEO, Ted Sarandos, stood behind him. According to him:
“Distinguishing between commentary and harm is hard, especially with stand-up comedy which exists to push boundaries. We are working hard to ensure marginalized communities aren’t defined by a single story. So we have Sex Education, Orange Is The New Black, Control Z, Hannah Gadsby and Dave Chappelle all on Netflix. Key to this is increasing diversity on the content team itself.”
In response to Sarandos mentioning her, Hannah Gadsby condemned Netflix
After Netflix CEO mentioned her, Gadsby hit back and accused him of dragging her in the Dave Chappelle controversy. According to her, Netflix is an amoral algorithm cult. At the same time, she took to Instagram to respond to Sarandos and said:
Just a quick note to let you know that I would prefer if you didn’t drag my name into your mess. Now I have to deal with even more of the hate and anger that Dave Chapelle’s fans like to unleash on me every time Dave gets 20 million dollars to process his emotionally stunted partial world view.
Hannah Gadsby’s two specials, Nannette and Douglas are streaming on Netflix right now.
Recently, Dave Chappelle addressed the controversy at one of his performances
During his recent show in Louisville, Kentucky, Dance Chappelle spoke to his critics. This is the first time he has talked about the issue in public. During the show, Dave Chappelle said:
“It’s been said in the press that I was invited to speak to transgender employees at Netflix and I refused. That is not true. If they had invited me I would have accepted it. Although I am confused about what we are speaking about… You said you want a safe working environment at Netflix. Well it seems like I’m the only one that can’t go to the office anymore.”
Furthermore, he said:
“It seems that it is me versus that community, it is not. I do not blame the LBGTQ community for this s**t. This has nothing to do with them. It’s about corporate interests and what I can say and what I cannot say. The community has been nothing but loving and supportive. To the transgender community, I am more than willing to give you an audience. But you will not summon me. I am not bending to anybody’s demands. But I will meet me on one condition. You have to watch my special from beginning to end, you must come to the choosing of my time and place. And thirdly, you have to admit that Hannah Gadsby is not funny.”
In the end, Dave Chappelle asked the audience one question: Am I cancelled or not?