We all know Dave Chapelle is the king of controversy. He has no shame in speaking his mind whenever it comes to serious topics. Dave Chappelle has a unique way of using his jokes to make people think twice about what is going on in the world around him. Even though you do not like how he dishes it, he has no problem standing in his truth. Not everyone agrees with his point of view and finds his commentary very offensive.
At the beginning of October, Dave Chappelle dropped one of his comedy specials on Netflix called the closer. In the special, he addresses topics such as feminism, covid 19, and good old-fashioned racism. But one of the topics that defiantly got their attention was his jokes towards transgender women.
In the closer, he not only makes fun of their genitals but shares his opinion on the matter in general.
"Gender is a fact. Every human being in this room, every human being on earth, had to pass through the legs of a woman to be on earth. That is a fact."
His comments have offended the trans community, so trans employees who work at Netflix have decided to protest not only against dave but the platform itself. One of the workers was responsible for this protest. Her name was Ashlee Marie Preston; she also decided to protest against Netflix as a whole.
“Since I’ve been discussing transformative justice and opened that door, here’s why I’m closing it with Dave. I originally tried to connect with Dave after, “Sticks and Stones.” I was feeling raw and upset over the special because Black trans women were being murdered left and right and his comedy struck a chord with me. I was on a call venting to a friend I didn’t know was close with Dave. They acknowledged the frustration but asked me to give Dave a chance. They mentioned that he was struggling with the murder of George Floyd and may be more approachable than before. I agreed and they reached out. No response. I asked my team to follow up, again—no response.
By the time this latest special dropped, I only mentioned him as to say, “he’s not being canceled by anyone and that he was reached out to. The press asked me if I’d still be willing to have the conversation even though the other attempts were unsuccessful. Reluctantly I said yes because willingness is key to transformative dialogue. Dave hasn’t shown an honest desire to repair harm. His list of “demands and conditions” felt more like a jab at the exchange between the @netflix trans ERG and Ted Sarandos than an actual invitation to have a meaningful conversation.
Surprising? Not really. However the moment he alleged in his IG video that the film he made about his response to the murder of George Floyd was being passed on by virtually every film company because of the blowback from “The Closer,” I felt the heat come off of that statement. There he was pitting Blackness against trans identity and queerness again. Read my statements to @latimes by swiping left.🤳🏾 They missed important nuances but that’s the gist of it. The only person working hard to cancel Dave Is Dave. We’re moving on.✌🏾”
Some will look at this situation and say; What about having the right to freedom of speech? You are right; we all should express how we feel to help people understand a different perspective. We all cannot see the same thing. But when do we ever draw the line? When do we set boundaries as people when dealing with freedom of speech?
It is hard to say because it depends on what’s considered offensive to that particular individual. As an outsider looking in, I can see the problem from both perspectives. I can see where the transgender community is coming from and why they are so sensitive. For years, the LGBT community has dealt with violent crimes towards them in general. Transgender women are no different.
According to The Advocate, Statics show that almost 46 transgender and non-conforming individuals; were murdered in 2021 alone. On top of that, 5 out of 8 are black transgender women. I can see why they would get upset by his comments. Here he is making insensitive jokes about their lifestyle while they are getting killed because of it.
So I understand their frustration because men that think like Dave Chappelle go based on the traditional viewing of what it means to be a woman. Dave is discrediting them when it comes to identifying themselves as a woman. I can see how that can be a problem. He is not taking this situation seriously. Since that is the case, his statements are helping others to contribute to their transphobia.
In the entertainment industry alone, men have this image that is very much toxic. Society tells men to be the alpha male in any situation such as relationships, at work, or even at home. Usually, when men try to be these alpha figures, they feel it is necessary to put down anybody from the LGBTQ community.
Men in the entertainment industry usually are known for spreading shame for being connected to Transwomen. It is something that is not accepted. When a man is in a relationship with a trans woman, it affects their reputation. The article called We deserves love stories; Trans women on the highs and lows of dating, discuss what it is like taking a risk on dating cis men.
“This stigma has real, violent consequences. Trans women are desired and, like cis women, subject to misogyny and harassment. But that same misogyny is exacerbated for trans women and is laced with transphobia.
As Charlie Craggs told us: There is a correlation between guys who like; us and the guys who are killing us. In other words, the internalized shame cis men can feel about their desire for trans women can result in them lashing out."
Even though some cis men have an attraction to them, this can not cover up the fact that this puts transwomen in harm's way. People like Dave do not consider that. The only crimes they pay attention to are the ones that happen to black people who are cis-gendered. Usually, race is more of a problem than any other inside and outside the community. They see LGBT as anti-black and feel it is problematic because of their beliefs.
The book the greatest taboo homosexuality in black communities by Delroy Constantine-Simms, this book discusses black people’s relationship with homosexuality.
“The traditional civil rights leaders continued to denounce homophobia and urge support of gay rights. They reminded blacks that homophobia and racism were two sides of the same coin and many of the same white conservatives from Pat Buchanan to Jerry Falwell who relentlessly savaged gays were the same ones who relentlessly savaged civil rights.”
You would think they would be more understanding; when it comes to the LGBTQ community fighting for their rights for equality. But it seems like it is not the case; they fail to see the cycle of hate they are participating. Black people seem to be tone-deaf when it comes to problems they are not familiar with. Even if there are problems within their community, some fail to see or want to hear that perspective. When Dave Chappelle uses his platform to down-talk trans, he is setting a bad example handling the situation.
On the other hand, don't the LGBTQ community has opinions of their own whenever it comes to other people. Yes, transgender people have gone through a lot. But that does not mean they do not speak their mind about people. If you think about it, freedom of speech goes both ways. Who says that transgender people don't have opinions of their own?
I'm pretty sure they have opinions on lifestyles that they do not understand. Not everyone understands each other within the LGBTQ community. Matter of fact they are very critical of each other, let alone other people outside of their community. Whenever it comes to people saying offensive statements, the leader of the protest, Ashlee Marie Preston, should know a thing or two about that. Since they have found racist remarks that she has said in the past, it looks like she is also not innocent.
"Asain hoes act like they won't get karate chopped in their Muthafuckin throught. What is this hoe staring at? Mind ya business."
"Latino and Asian businesses need to stop being rude and fuckin disrespectful. I know it is a lot to ask in CA but speak fukin English."
What is the difference between Dave making jokes about trans women and Ashlee making rude remarks about Asians on Twitter? Ashlee's remarks were more offensive than Dave Chappelle's jokes. Yet, her comment did not suffer as many consequences. Why is that? Is it the fact that just because she is trans, she is allowed to make offensive remarks like that because she has been through too much? Is it freedom of speech depending on who says it?
When speaking our minds, we must be very clear on certain boundaries to make sure the same rules apply to everyone. If we are going to educate people on their ignorance, be reasonable about the situation.
Not everybody is the victim, and not everybody is the villain. Just because you have struggles does not mean you are allowed to get away with inappropriate behavior yourself. For years, transgender people have been speaking about inequality; we must put in work to receive. Trans people have to do their part when creating a better outcome.
I'm not saying they have no right to feel a certain way when someone attacks them. But they should also get into the habit of admitting when they're wrong. We as humans speak out when we're right but are biased when we're wrong. It goes both ways, and if you want Dave to see your perspective and right out his wrongs, you also have to do the same.
Here is what I got from this situation. Freedom of speech can be offensive, and it can even be heartwarming. But regardless of your position, there are lines that you do not cross. There is a way of expressing yourself without having to put down and offend anybody else. Regardless of the person, you have to be careful.
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