Dave Chappelle Accepts Mark Twain Prize, Defends 2nd Amendment [VIDEO]
Back in October, Dave Chappelle accepted the Mark Twain Prize for comedy. We originally covered it based on news reports from people who were there. However, the special has finally aired on PBS. So here is video of what Dave Chappelle had to say. In all of his Dave Chappelle glory.
We watch you guys fight. But when [comedians] are together, we talk it out. I know comics that are very racist... don’t get mad at ’em, don’t hate on ’em. We go upstairs, we have a beer, and sometimes I appreciate the artistry that they paint their racist opinions with. Man, it’s not that serious. The First Amendment is first for a reason. The Second Amendment is just in case the first one doesn’t work out. We've got to let some air out of the bowl. The country is getting too tight.
I know some of you are going to take issue with the word "racist." I don't know what comedians he was talking about. I agree that the word has gotten watered down to mean "anyone who disagrees with a progressive about anything ever for any reason." I also don't know if he was being honest, or just using some artistic license to make a broader point. "Racist" can easily be "transphobic" or "anti-woman" based on some of the reactions to his recent special. Which he also mocked.
Chappelle's broader point is what's important. People do take comedy too seriously. You see it in the way the press reports on things comedians say in their bits as if they were addressing a joint session of Congress. Instead of the early crowd at Yuk Yuk's in Schenectady. The easy offense people to take to unoffensive things is cheap clickbait which gets spread to make money.
It's okay for people to pull the adamantium rod out of their heinys. It's okay to laugh about how ridiculous life can be, and the way we react to it. Laughing is fun. More people should try it.