Dave Chappelle’s controversial Netflix comedy special “The Closer” has drawn both praise and ire, notably from the transgender community and some employees at the streaming service. Reports say Netflix has fired an employee over internal conflicts regarding the special. What are your thoughts?
Gigi C., Amsterdam, Netherlands
People who didn’t like Dave Chappelle’s comedy special are telling on themselves. You either didn’t watch it, or didn’t understand a lick from it. For the people who think Dave Chappelle is transphobic, look into late comedian Daphne Dorman, who was transgender.
Michelle James, Washington, D.C.
Who would have predicted that in 2021, Dave Chappelle would be one of the things dividing America? We still can’t decide if it’s wrong to say bad stuff about marginalized groups.
Christinia Clark, Winona, Miss.
She was fired for releasing company documents to the press. Yes, she should have been fired.
Adria Berryhill, Washington, D.C.
Dave Chappelle isn’t funny, sorry.
James Jones, Boston
I think there are three people when it comes to Chappelle. People who get what he’s actually trying to communicate through his jokes, people who hear the punchlines and immediately go into attack mode and people who are just gross and laugh at the jokes because they think he’s actually making fun of gay and trans people, and because they don’t like gay or trans people they laugh themselves silly.
Compiled by Sarafina Wright
Certainly not a fan of David. He uses the N and B word too much for my liking. While I was visiting my daughter’s home, I viewed the show and came away with something different than a controversy I was hearing from the usual suspects, the media. So, when I got back in town, I decided to review the show again. I came away with the same assumptions and review that I had when I first saw the show. “He isn’t transphobic”. As a matter of fact, I saw and heard something different. Perhaps this was just the time and opportunity for those in the Trans community to advocate for what they want. I am not disturbed about that but do not mis-represent others. Transgender therefore alienate someone like me who believes that people should be treated equally and fairly. While the Trans community represents 1% of the population, Netflix is prove in equality because transgender people work there. My question is it 1% or less. That’s more than I can say about other businesses. I know how how to tune out to David and others have the options to do the same.