Beyond all the dragging of Dave Chappelle for his stubborn and relentless anti-LGBTQ bigotry and pro-rape culture “jokes” in the wake of his latest special, one thing I’ve been interested in critically examining is the outpouring of positive feedback that Dave’s “comedy” specials have been getting from white supremacists. We’ve seen his latest Netflix special get praise from Breitbart, as well as endorsements from popular conservatives like Candace Owens. Even just being on social media, I’ve seen how white racists and Black homophobes, alike, have piled onto detractors of Dave’s work.
I’m particularly interested in interrogating this and what it means, because we should remember that, even for as anti-LGBTQ as Dave Chappelle is, he still also very much presents as anti-racist. Even in these Netflix specials, the patriarchal trash he spews is usually juxtaposed with very stern (and sometimes actually funny) take-downs of racism. That’s always been central to his work and he’s been consistent in that regard. It’s a big part of why he has the loyal fanbase that he does (who are willing to laugh at his dull, hateful and completely unoriginal “jokes” against LGBTQ people). So, how can this be something that white supremacists are so comfortable throwing such enthusiastic support behind? [Read more…]