One thing Dave Chappelle always jokes about, especially in his modern performances after his ten-year hiatus from comedy, is how many white people show up to his shows.
Chappelle joked during his first Netflix special “The Age of Spin” in 2016 that it was likely because of the high-ticket prices. One thing is for sure about Chappelle, he’s widely beloved as a comedian despite political affiliation, race, creed or gender.
And Dave Chappelle made the national news twice in one week in a big way.
You may not necessarily know this but Dave Chappelle defies stereotypes and intentionally makes fun of them because his life and upbringing are not captured in a bubble.
First of all, Chappelle’s father was a professor at Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio and his mother was a professor at Howard University and the University of Maryland.
He did not grow up on “the streets” and has joked before about how he doesn’t have “street credit.”
The famous comedian has spoke candidly about his early career in Hollywood, meeting largely Caucasian agents and executives – always finding it laughable that despite him being an African American early 20s “kid,” but always recognized that both of his parents were probably more educated then his counterparts condescending to him about the business.
And in that is an ironic humility about him. What you see on stage isn’t necessarily who he is.
Did you know Chappelle lives on a farm in Yellow Springs, Ohio with his wife and three children? Are you aware he’s actually extremely adept at skateboarding? Did you know he loves riding motorcycles?
It’s almost as if Chappelle loves to defy stereotypes that perpetuate disenfranchisement of his race. It’s not that there aren’t farmers, skateboarders or motorcycle enthusiasts who aren’t black, but he’s a multimillionaire famous Hollywood comedian and all of that, especially together, usually isn’t the modus operandi of famous African Americans.
But Dave Chappelle is more like a philosopher who does comedy rather than just a standup comedian. It’s like a disguise. And it was proven over his last three Netflix specials.
There was chatter Chappelle might leave comedy once again (for awhile) but he apparently nixed those plans and a new special premiered on Monday.
Dave Chappelle. August 26th. We’ll let Morgan Freeman tell you the rest. pic.twitter.com/PDyh7YBHhT
— Netflix Is A Joke (@NetflixIsAJoke) August 15, 2019
It’s great that a new special of his made national news because he’s arguably the greatest comedian working today, but the bigger news is he just threw a benefit concert in Ohio due to the tragic mass shooting in Dayton.
Chappelle was amongst national and local entertainers planned for the “Gem City Shine” event in Dayton on Sunday.
This also shouldn’t come as any surprise because Chappelle is always active in his community in Yellow Springs.
The “Chappelle’s Show” star is much beloved in his community where he’s largely surrounded by Caucasians and they are highly protective of him given his status as a celebrity symbol.
It’s reminiscent of how the community protected Nelle Harper Lee in Monroeville, Alabama when people would inquire about where they lived. They would never divulge that information to visitors.
It’s the same thing with Chappelle in Yellow Springs.