Dave Chappelle finishes his contract with Netflix by releasing his last stand-up special entitled “The Closer”. (Image: Courtesy of Netflix).
By Val Contreras, Staff Reporter
Dave Chappelle revives the discussion of LGBTQ+ equality with his latest stand-up special “The Closer” recently released by Netflix. Chappelle gives his opinion on current social issues, the backlash from his previous award-winning comedy special, and poses an interesting question: “Is it possible for a gay person to be racist?”
This 72-minute one-man show is not filled with a toppling number of jokes, but feels like a comedian who has recently been the center of controversy clearing the air once and for all. This special completes the body of work that started in 2017, after Chappelle returned to the comedy circuit spotlight from his self-induced, reclusive lifestyle.
Before we reach the meat and potatoes of the special, Chappelle warns us to prepare for a rocky road ahead. He has a full-circle moment detailing that in his first special he joked about Detroit so much that he “might as well, do my last special here”. Chappelle goes on to self-depreciate his Johnson & Johnson vaccine decision, his actions while having the coronavirus, his teenage molestation by a priest, and the racial/gender conflicts that have been covered by the media.
Chappelle’s bits deal with the unique situation of intersectionality and social constructs. The overlapping and conjoining individualistic traits such as education, race, gender, and social status is the simplest way to describe intersectionality. This specific and sophisticated topic should be discussed by sociology and law experts, but Chappelle proves to be a close substitute.
The stories he includes are distinct interactions with homosexuals, transgender individuals, and self-anointed critics. After self-reflection, Chappelle later claims “I don’t hate gay people. I am jealous of gay people”. He also calls himself a feminist because he is a “human being that believes in equal rights for women” but proceeds to provide a condescending viewpoint of the 2020 Womens March, while also reminding the audience that the originators of the women’s suffrage movement did not promote racial equity.
While juxtaposing the treatment of rap artist DaBaby due to his offensive homophobic comments with his connection to the murder of a black man, Chappelle highlights society’s alleged hierarchy of marginalized groups. During this monologue, he asks the audience a question that backs up his ideology, “Why is it easier for Bruce Jenner to change his gender than it is for Cassius Clay to change his name?”. This particular stance opens the discussion (and hints at Chappelle’s view) on society’s treatment of African Americans and the LGBTQ+ community.
Throughout the special, he wants the audience to understand his unique thought process and feelings towards racism, genderism, and internet culture. He believes the LGBTQ community should be aware they are not the only ones being discriminated against, while also admitting to being transphobic (sarcastically, of course).
Chappelle has garnered negative criticism from the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD). The organization used Twitter to claim that Chappelle ridicules trans people and other marginalized communities. Within a few days from the release of the special, the trans employee resource group at Netflix planned a protest due to the support of the show by the company executives. Just a few days ago, Chappelle debuted a new untitled documentary to a standing ovation at the Hollywood Bowl. At the event, he said, “If this is what being canceled is like, I love it.”
After watching this special, there will be more questions than answers to many of today’s current events and issues. However, a little laughter and alternative viewpoints could be a way to understand the problems marginalized communities face.
