When Dave Chappelle released his comedy special “The Closer” he immediately caught backlash from members of the LGBTQ community for his “jokes” on trans people and trans in general. Including some of the students at the performing arts high school he attended in Washington DC.
Not long after, that school, Duke Ellington School of the Arts, announced it was naming it’s performance theater after Dave for “ongoing commitment and service to the school.”
Then in November Dave visited the school and while speaking to the students in the assembly he invited students who disagreed with him to speak. One student stepped up and called him a bigot, adding, “I’m 16 and I think you’re childish.” Some students wanted the school to reverse its decision over naming the building after him.
Dave challenged both his supporters and his opponents — asking both sides to raise money for the school, and if the opponents raised more money, he’d gladly forego the honor of having the building renamed.
His supporters won.
That brings us to last night when he was at the naming ceremony. Dave spoke and said that he is not placing his name on the Duke Ellington High School theater. Instead, Chappelle decided it will be called the Theater for Artistic Freedom and Expression.
While addressing the crowd, Chappelle mentioned the backlash from students about his special “The Closer” sincerely hurt him.
I still like Dave, but I do really hope this “hurt” encourages a little more self introspection.