Dave Chappelle comes for trans people once again in new Netflix special The Dreamer
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Dave Chappelle has once again ignited controversy with his latest Netflix special, The Dreamer. The comedian, who has faced criticism in the past for his jokes about the transgender community, wasted no time in targeting them once again.
The Dreamer focuses on the early years of Chappelle’s career and his rise to success in the entertainment industry. However, just a few minutes into the show, he took aim at trans people, comparing them to method actors like Jim Carrey in Man on the Moon.
Chappelle told the audience, “If you guys came here thinking that I’m going to make fun of those people again, you’ve come to the wrong show. I’m not messing with those people anymore.” He claimed that he was tired of talking about them and that they acted as if he needed them to be funny. “Well, that’s ridiculous. I don’t need you,” he added.
But Chappelle didn’t stop there. He then announced that he had a “whole new angle coming” and shifted his focus to disabled people. “Tonight, I’m doing all handicapped jokes. They’re not as organized as the gays, and I love punching down,” he said.
However, he couldn’t resist returning to his thoughts about the trans community. In an attempt to repair his relationship with them, he claimed to have written a play for them. “It’s a very sad play, but it’s moving. It’s about a Black transgender woman whose pronoun is, sadly, n***a. It’s a tear-jerker,” Chappelle said. He went on to suggest that she dies of loneliness because white liberals don’t know how to speak to her.
This isn’t the first time Chappelle has faced backlash for his jokes about trans people. In his previous Netflix special, The Closer, he declared himself “team TERF” and made explicit jokes about trans women’s genitals. The release of The Closer led to employee walkouts and protests, with Netflix’s co-chief executive later admitting that he “screwed up” in his initial defense of Chappelle.
Despite the controversy surrounding his comments, Chappelle has continued to perform sold-out shows and maintain his partnership with Netflix. He has often complained about “cancel culture” while still enjoying success and a platform.
In The Dreamer, Chappelle also shared a story about being attacked on stage at the Hollywood Bowl in 2022. He suggested to the audience that it was a trans man who attacked him, claiming that he had “triggered” the attacker with his LGBTQ+ jokes. Chappelle then made a crude joke about the possibility of being raped if he went to jail, stating that he would identify as a woman to serve time in a women’s jail.
The controversial remarks made by Chappelle in The Dreamer have once again sparked outrage among the LGBTQ+ community and their allies. The comedian’s persistent mocking of trans people and his insensitivity towards marginalized communities continue to draw criticism. It remains to be seen how Chappelle will respond to the backlash this time, but one thing is clear – his jokes are crossing lines for many people who believe in inclusivity and respect for all individuals.
In conclusion, Dave Chappelle’s latest Netflix special, The Dreamer, has once again brought him under fire for his jokes about the transgender community. Despite previous backlash and protests, he continues to mock and belittle trans people, as well as other marginalized groups. The controversy surrounding Chappelle’s comments serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for inclusivity and respect in the entertainment industry.
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