Dear White People Showrunner Quits Netflix Over Dave Chappelle's Transphobic Special

[Celerity]

https://www.themarysue.com/dear-white-people-showrunner-quits-netflix-over-dave-chappelles-transphobic-special/

Dave Chappelle continues to tarnish his own comedic legacy with his latest Netflix comedy special The Closer, where he doubles down on his transphobic and homophobic rhetoric. Chappelle has been criticized for his transphobic material before, with our own Princess Weekes writing in 2017, “Chappelle should probably never, ever speak about trans people again.” Yet despite this, Chappelle spends a shocking amount of time in his new special espousing anti-LGBTQ+ views and identifying proudly as a “TERF.”

In response, Dear White People showrunner Jaclyn Moore announced that she is parting ways with Netflix over their support of Chappelle’s transphobic comedy special. In a lengthy Twitter thread, Moore, who is trans, discusses why she chose to walk away from the streaming service. Moore tweeted, “I will not work with them as long as they continue to put out and profit from blatantly and dangerously transphobic content.”

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

Moore added, “I love so many of the people I’ve worked with at Netflix. Brilliant people and executives who have been collaborative and fought for important art… But I’ve been thrown against walls because, “I’m not a ‘real’ woman.” I’ve had beer bottles thrown at me. So, @Netflix, I’m done.” Moore, who is executive producing the Queer as Folk reboot for Peacock, eloquently breaks down how Chappelle’s comedy is so hurtful and dehumanizing to the communities he attacks.

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

GLAAD also issued a statement about Chappelle’s special, saying “Dave Chappelle’s brand has become synonymous with ridiculing trans people and other marginalized communities. Negative reviews and viewers loudly condemning his latest special is a message to the industry that audiences don’t support platforming anti-LGBTQ diatribes. We agree.”

Link to tweet

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[LanternWaste]

1. Lazy comedy punches down. Timeless comedy attacks the power structure.

From Horace's Satires to the medieval Fools' Literature of Sebastian Brant, the sharpest comedy targets those who are in a position to strike back.

Punching down, as Chapelle has done in mocking the LGBTQ community, could easily be argued a form of cowardice in substance as well as form.

[hibbing]

5. George Carlin n/t

[Initech]

11. Yeah I kind of get why people like Bill Maher are constantly railing against "woke culture".

But here's the thing - if you're afraid to tell a joke - maybe it's your material that needs work? How about attack ideas and power structures and not people? George Carlin did it, Lewis Black does it, and you don't hear them complaining. Or hear them at the center of complaints.

[Sympthsical]

19. People really look at Carlin through rose-colored nostalgia

He would get nailed to the wall in today's environment. I cannot be the only person who remembers his jokes about N.O.W. Or the fact he did a whole riff about how much he didn't give a shit about people with eating disorders. Just two examples off the top of my head.

All they remember is the political stuff he said that they like.

Don't get me wrong. I liked the guy. I started seeing his specials re-running on HBO when I was in my early teens. He was great.

But he said a lot of shit. Not just the bits that are always posted around on social media about American power structures. He threw down the c-word against women with relish.

I mean, c'mon.

[Carlitos Brigante]

28. Then there's the "tropical fruit' joke. nt

[FreeState]

2. Chapelle and Netflix should be shamed

There is no room for transphobia period. Chapelle and Netflix should know better.

[Zeitghost]

66. Honest question?

Have you seen it?

[dewsgirl]

3. I watched it last night, people need to chill.

There was even a part where I almost cried. I don't see where he sounds any different than, Chris Rock, Kevin Hart, Katt Williams, Jim Jefferies, and many others.

[catsudon]

4. as have i

it is great. people need to chill.

some of his observations are quite convincing.

[dewsgirl]

6. That whole story towards the end, I almost burst

into tears. I think the audience went into shock for a minute. I don't think I've ever seen audience go completely quiet that fast. Such an inspirational story, but also very sad.

[CatWoman]

8. thank you so much for this

i watched it as well, and am having a hard time keeping my fingers off the keyboard when I read some of the stupid assed, ill informed critiques.

[leftyladyfrommo]

7. I like Dave Chappelle. He comes from a different

place than I do. I appreciate his insights. When I watch him I always have the feeling that he's not just smart but really smart. I always pay attention to what he's saying.

Comedians walk a fine line and sometimes they slip over the line. Happens to the best of them.

People can be too sensitive sometimes.

[Zeitghost]

10. I watched it last night

It was hilarious, heartfelt and honest, like Dave always is and like a few others here, I had to fight back a tear or two. If you watch the whole thing with an honest and open mind it is impossible to come to the conclusion that Dave has hate in his heart for LGBT+ people. This narrative being pushed by a few is sadly yet another attack on a man of color who dares to speak his mind and the truth.

[Sympthsical]

12. I'll view it for myself and decide. I no longer take people's word for these things.

After the past year of people (particularly lesbians) being called transphobic because they will only date cis gender people of the same sex, that word is losing power with me.

When my actual sexual orientation is in and of itself "transphobic" I'm going to start watching where and why that word is being employed.

I generally like Chappelle. Comedians can be "problematic" sometimes. I don't care much about that. I care if they're funny and insightful.

Everybody needs everyone else cancelled and de-platformed these days. Eesh. Don't like something, don't watch it. The End.

Anyway, I'll probably catch it tonight. We'll see.

[janterry]

13. very glad to see this comment

I worry quite a bit for our young people these days (being forced into boxes and told that same sex attraction is wrong). I don't think people realize what is happening out there.

[romana]

14. x1000

I wish I could rec this reply.

[Johnny2X2X]

15. I'll watch it too

I think Chappelle has had some horrible takes on LGTBQ issues, but I also think he's recognized he's said hurtful things. The thing is, he was being honest, I cannot dismiss his entire work because he is insensitive on one subject. He's a comedian, whose role in society is to push the limits of decency.

I'll judge for myself, I hope he's growing on some issues though.

[Sympthsical]

22. I did watch it

It was pretty funny.

I was not expecting how much he went at that subject. But if you see his batch of Netflix specials as one complete work, you can see how he worked his way to that coda.

As a gay man, I think his gay jokes were pretty funny. The bit about gay contractors and glory holes, then he throws in MLK into it for some reason. I was dying.

I really don't think he's transphobic. I think he doesn't like the Twitter clicktivists. Some people have decided for the rest of society that you can only see gender through their lens and ideology, and any statements outside of it are a heresy that should not be countenanced.

So he laid a nice big trap for the Twitter clicktivists in this one . . . and they went tumbling right on into it. He basically came in saying, "Read for context." And the people who hate him went, "The hell I will!"

I don't agree with everything he said, but he made some uncomfortable points that people don't like talking about. They'll shy away from the slightest conversation about it, or just repeat a rote idea in that, "I'm one of the good ones, please don't come for me," kind of way that we often see on our side.

But man. If I wasn't laying on the couch with a kitten sleeping on my head, I would've stood up and applauded when he said, "I don't care. Twitter's not a real place."

Exactly.

[Johnny2X2X]

24. Good to hear, I'll definitely watch it this weekend

He's about as good as it gets for laughs. And he does push the boundaries, but that's what comedy has always done.

[Jedi Guy]

39. "I don't care. Twitter's not a real place."

I haven't watched the show yet, but that line alone makes me want to watch it.

[tonedevil]

34. He recognized he said hurtful things...

and said them again just in case they weren't hurtful enough the first time. He has the capability to be funny, but he is an asshole who should only do shows with Louis CK.

[Celerity]

59. As a lesbian (I am cis gendered), I would laugh in anyone's face who called me transphobic simply

because I only date (and now I am married to one) cis gendered females. Whom I date/marry/share my life with is my bloody business, no one else's. Thank fuck I have never had this charge levelled on me, as after my initial disdainful laughter, if they persisted and continued to slate me off with this dross, it would not end well.

you said

When my actual sexual orientation is in and of itself "transphobic" I'm going to start watching where and why that word is being employed.

madness for anyone to claim this, good point

[Sympthsical]

63. The term is "genital preferences"

It's been gaining traction at least the past year or so. As in, "Genital preferences are transphobic." How that entire idea wasn't immediately killed in its crib by the community is absolutely baffling. It's a direct assault on orientation.

Which just blows my mind as a gay man. It's like we came full circle. While gay men experience this sometimes (I actually got cursed out about this on an app when I was single, forgot about it, then remembered the incident once it became a thing on social media), it's lesbians who are bearing the brunt.

I'm settled down these days, but in my past experiences, trans men have been very chill in gay male dating spaces. Lesbians have been increasingly been getting harassed about this stuff. I know my friends have put up with it. They have stories. They've been called TERFs, even when they're really, really not. Gay men are fortunate in that we just get called trash for it, but then people generally leave us alone.

So nowadays, when Twitter is het up about something, I never just assume what I'm being told is true. I want to see what happened, the context, and judge for myself.

[janterry]

67. there have been workshops about overcoming the 'cotton ceiling'

actual. workshops.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

16. I'm not getting how supporting JK Rowling and saying "I'm team TERF" is funny???

[catsudon]

20. well

it isn't
but that part was a social commentary you need to watch the whole thing.


“Gender is a fact,” Chappelle said, according to the report. “Every human being in this room, every human being on earth, had to pass through the legs of a woman to be on earth. That is a fact. Now, I am not saying that to say trans women aren’t women, I am just saying that those pussies that they got … you know what I mean? I’m not saying it’s not pussy, but it’s Beyond Pussy or Impossible Pussy.”

[WhiskeyGrinder]

23. So is he saying a person had to give birth to validate their genitals?

What is the social commentary in saying that a trans woman’s genitals are “impossible “? What is it he is trying to say?

[catsudon]

25. like "impossible meat"

that's how i take it. meat for people who are vegan.

so impossible pussy is for man who does not have a pussy but wants one.

i take it at face value without any other intent.

we can expand this to other things deemed less offensive. such as impossible hair = very good wig, or K2 spice = impossible marijuana.

as a joke it isn't that funny for me.

so until artificial womb (progress being made) becomes a thing that allows anyone to give birth, that is still part of the equation.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

27. But it's not for a man. It's for a woman.

And “giving birth” has nothing to do with whether someone is a man or woman or what kind of genitals they have.

[catsudon]

31. And "giving birth" has nothing to do with whether someone is a man or woman or what kind of genitals

i agree with that. even Dave said of Daphne, "was a wonderful woman."

[Zeitghost]

55. It's been a few years

Since my HS sex ed class. But I believe only one set of genitalia permits "giving birth". Medical technology might catch up to culture some day, but as of now only cis women can "give birth" unless were changing that term as well.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

60. Trans men can give birth as well.

[Zeitghost]

68. You're correct, some can depending on the nature of their transition

But that doesn't address my main point that giving birth has everything to do with what genetalia you have.

[Mosby]

36. He was wrong at "gender is a fact".

He needs to educate himself more, including about Jews.

I'm not hopeful.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

17. What's the joke when you punch down? When you say the same thing bigots say?

And then continue to say it when vulnerable people say it hurts? How is this funny?

[Zeitghost]

32. Punch down?

Are you suggesting the LGBT+ community is "below"? Because I can't come up with any other rational conclusion.

[jcgoldie]

56. It means taking shots at people with less power.

.

[Zeitghost]

57. Like

Men of color?

[jcgoldie]

58. I dont think anyone here is targeting Chappelle because of his race

But you already knew that.

[Zeitghost]

64. You missed the point entirely

Have you seen the special?

[betsuni]

62. Yes. In another of his shows he describes being heckled by a woman who told him "women suffer."

He says: How are you, a white woman, telling me about discrimination? I know. I know. Same team.

Not "punching down" when all of you are on the down team.

[Zeitghost]

65. Precisely

He makes a similar point in the latest special and ends with it in his mic drop exit.

[Blue_Adept]

18. Glad to see so much Chappelle support here

It just makes my block list grow and grow and grow.

[obamanut2012]

61. Seriously

It's like the glowing threads praising Rowling.

[Elessar Zappa]

21. I like Chapelle

but I won’t watch any of his shows that belittle trans people.

[catsudon]

26. how do you know

he belittle trans people without watching for the entire context?

you're going to miss the touching story he told of him with his close friend, a transgender comedian Daphne Dorman

[Duncan Grant]

30. The same guy who makes AIDS jokes. What a sparkling cultural critique - genius!

Dave Chappelle knows what he’s doing — and AIDS/trans jokes make you an ultimate asshole, not a genius.

Want to see a genius? Watch Hannah Gadsby. Start with “Nanette”.

[tonedevil]

33. Fuck chappelle...

he was funny, but now it's just too bad he returned from his self-imposed exile.

[Oneironaut]

35. Meh..

I’m not a fan of stand up. At the same time, people are too oversensitive - especially woe-is-me Twitter activists.

According to Twitter, everything is homophobic, transphobic, racist, etc. Everyone is a TERF (which, in reality, is a fringe group of radical feminists). Other trans people are frequently called TERFs, which is so stupid.

Some people need to get a life. Don’t like the special? Watch something else. You may be unwillingly fueling the transphobic fires otherwise. You can’t just tell people something is “transphobic.” A good chunk of the country can’t tell the difference between Drag Queens and trans people - you need to educate first and foremost. They need to learn about damaging ideals, and just calling those ideas “transphobic” with no context is driving people towards them.

PS - Content creators and artists need to stop apologizing for every little perceived offense. Twitter is not reality.

[gulliver]

37. I'm old, fat, and white. When a comedian says something at the expense of the old, fat, and white...

...I laugh. If it's funny. I go to comedians for funny. Chappelle is funny (and more).

[Wingus Dingus]

50. White women catch a lot of shit in his new special, and it's pretty funny to me, as

a white middle aged woman. I recognize that white women have been quite the pain-in-the-ass Karens in multiple ways lately, so we've earned some flak. Other groups can decide that they are offended by him and I can't tell them not to be.

[Behind the Aegis]

38. Gonna leave this here...

Laura Ingraham defends Dave Chappelle’s transphobia, even though he called her a “c*nt”

As a general rule of thumb, you know you’re probably in the wrong if Laura Ingraham is coming to your defense. And that’s just what happened to comic Dave Chappelle.

Chappelle is once again under fire for making transphobic remarks in his new Netflix special, including declaring himself “Team TERF!” (the acronym for trans-exclusionary radical feminist), voicing his support for transphobic author J.K. Rowling, and talking obsessively about trans women’s genitalia, among other things.

GLADD, National Black Justice Coalition, and several other civil rights groups have all issued statements condemning his transphobia and urging Netflix to pull the special from its platform, and former Dear White People showrunner Jaclyn Moore, who transitioned during the pandemic, said she’s “done” working with Netflix “as long as they continue to put out and profit from blatantly and dangerously transphobic content.”

One person who is squarely in Chappelle’s corner, however, is Ingraham, who defended him last night on her show, saying he’s just another victim of the woke liberal “mob” and transphobia is awesome and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.

more...

Thank goodness we have "allies" to 'splain to us our need to "chill" and how speaking out against this is really just racism. Whatever would we queers do without those magnanimous types who can give it to us straight, as it were.

[Sympthsical]

40. That's a low bar of response

"This conservative likes what you said, so your opinion must be wrong." I really hope people don't base their opinions with that standard.

C'mon, man. And you're posting from Queerty. Their entire identity is based on getting upset at things. It's a website built on drama.

I'm a gay man who generally likes Chappelle. He's not my favorite, but he's fine. And I think the reactions to him are ridiculously overblown.

I'm not an ally, I'm a member. And I also think people need to seriously chill. I watched it last night with my partner, and he laughed all the way through the gay parts, too.

Don't like it? Don't watch it. Getting tired of the loudest and most sensitive people on the Internet constantly telling others, "LGBT people don't like it when you do X!" Hey, I'm LGBT. So are my family and friends. No one appointed these loud web people who are perpetually offended at all things. They appointed themselves. They don't ask me my opinion before they run around telling everyone else what it is.

And since I have much power invested in me as any Twitterati, I grant allies permission to not be bad people if they like Dave Chappelle.

[Behind the Aegis]

42. Not really.

While I certainly have had opinions shared by some loathsome creatures, when it happens I at least stop and consider my position to make sure I have it for the right reasons.

Guess what? I am GAY too! SURPRISE! And, guess what? I too like Chappelle! However, I do not like some of the things he said about trans, gays and Jews. I am entitled to MY opinion as well. I guess this means the gay community is not monolith. Then again, I guess you knew that too.

What I object to, it is not the somewhat crass "don't like it, don't watch it", something I often think about those who whine about Bill Maher or David Pakman, no, what I object to is people telling those of us who are upset that are feelings aren't real, especially when those comments come from people who are NOT part of the community, and when they are, then they should at least have some sense of what it is like to have others tell them what they are feeling is wrong or they are just "too sensitive" or, at least one here, claiming we are racist for disliking what was said.

So, you have your opinion and I have mine, neither of which encompasses the entirety of the gay male community, much less the entirety of the queer community. But, if I see something I feel is offensive, I am not going to be silent because someone else feels they are correct in their assessment of the situation. Frankly, your comment about the Twitterati is no different than the crux of the article stating having Ingraham agree with you is not a great thing.

[Sympthsical]

49. People outside the community can disagree

And this really gets down to why I responded to you (I generally won't respond to other LGBTers on this board on most of our issues, because I typically just let people say their piece).

When you put allies in quotes, because they don't agree with your opinion on a comedian, that's an over-reaction to me. I mean, that's when they become suspect? Good on marriage, helped us during the AIDS crisis, stood up for us when we had less power. But a different opinion about a comedian makes their membership in our ally group suspect and worthy of suspect quotes?

When you are questioning allyship over a comedian, the question becomes thus - Are you looking for an ally? Or, are you looking for a subordinate? Because those are not the same things, and I have been seeing this more and more - especially on Twitter. "Agree with me always, or you are not a true member of our community and allies."

I'm never ever going to go along with that. I am too old for that game. People can disagree with me. I like when people disagree with me. It's how we grow and learn.

And I'll simply note, I have yet to see one of the outraged even address the point of Chappelle's comments, especially at the end. That when his friend stood by him, these Twitter clicktivists tormented her. Potentially to death. We'll never know. And when she took her own life, did these perpetually Twitter outraged lift a finger to help her family? After they spent all that time harassing her? No, they didn't. Dave did. Her family has spoken out about this.

The way Twitter behaves is absolutely toxic. It harms people, especially young people and the vulnerable. That's offensive to me. What he says doesn't bother me much. There are places where I think, "Ehhhh." But over all. He is what he is. What people do, does bother me. And, in the case of Daphne, I know who bothers me a fuck of a lot more.

And it isn't Dave Chappelle.

[Behind the Aegis]

53. Of course, those outside the community can disagree. I never implied otherwise.

You decided that my use of "allies" was to indicate if they disagreed then they aren't allies. That is the wrong takeaway and not at all what I implied. It should have been obvious, especially given the last part of that statement. Were your inference correct, you'd have a point and an example of hypocrisy, given I was angry at the assumption because those who disagreed with or were angry with Chappelle were only upset or angry because they are really racists. My use of quotes was to indicate those, who, in their infinite non-queer wisdom, know more than us and have to 'splain it to us. Don't agree with me? Fine, but don't tell me how I am supposed to feel or that my feelings are wrong. Let me speak for myself, and I will let you do the same.

As men, we can disagree with women and it doesn't make us anti-female sexists. As men, we can even disagree with women as to whether something is sexist or not. I, however, draw the line at telling women how they should (or shouldn't) feel about something. I don't have to agree with it, but it doesn't mean that their opinion or feelings are any less real than mine, and vice versa. As long as I or another man, is arguing from our point of view and speaking to our experience and not dictating another's point of view, especially a woman's, then I don't see a problem. THAT was my point, and THAT was the reason I used quotes around allies, because there are those who are telling us, those who are upset, disenchanted, or angry, our feelings are wrong and we are just being "hysterical", as it were.

Twitter is toxic; I agree with your opinion. I also think there are many who take advantage of various identities to harass and belittle other minorities, and then hide behind their OWN minority status. I think there are plenty of mountains which, in reality, are nothing more than molehills all over the internet. (ETA: Also, just because it is on Twitter doesn't mean it should be dismissed out of hand as "piffle". Sure, there is often more noise than substance, IMO, however, it doesn't exclude the real possibility, that, sometimes, the noise is worthy and should be heeded!) People will always have different opinions; fine. However, when the topic is about discrimination or bigotry, there is a fine line in play and when people are expressing themselves, it is best to speak in effective "I" statements, as opposed to telling others how they should or shouldn't feel.

[Duncan Grant]

43. The low bar includes: "GLADD, National Black Justice Coalition..."

I’m not here to defend Queerty *but* if you search recent coverage of Chappelle on Queerty you’ll find thoughtful, informative responses to his material. Let’s not miss the larger point of contention.

Imho, Chappelle perpetuates/echos the dehumanizing acrimony that endangers trans (and gay) lives daily. I’m unwilling to accommodate that under any circumstances.

Similarly, I wouldn’t want to find myself having dinner with gay men who laugh or rationalize his AIDS “jokes”. Your mileage may vary, of course.

Chappelle’ s mic is a lot bigger than mine. Unlike Dave, I have to scream to be heard. So when you see gay “sensitive” men like me responding in places like this (or Twitter, etc.) it’s simply an attempt to generate critical thinking, moral responsibility and self-respect. And yes, I understand this isn’t a priority for some gay men. So be it.

[Sympthsical]

51. They don't concern me

I didn't vote for those organizations. Unless there was an LGBT election and my ballot got lost in the mail, it's immaterial to me what groups who get most of their social and political currency from being in the center of these kinds of shit storms think. What was anyone expecting? That they'd say nothing?

I watched his special. He specifically asks people to humanize others. That was what the entire story of Daphne was about. People who reduced it to, "Dave tries to hide behind a trans friend," didn't bother paying attention or understanding context because they were already primed not to pay attention or read for context. They went in expecting to blast and hate him. Ok, succeeded there. Well done. But to say he wants to dehumanize? After all he said in that? I'm sorry, you have to reach for that one based on some preconceived notions.

He didn't even make an AIDS joke in this special. He said Da Baby "Pressed the LGBT community in the AIDS button." Which is just a humorous way of saying, Da Baby got in trouble for coming at us on one of the topics we are most sensitive about.

I'm all for critical thinking, but I'm not finding a lot in the commentary and reviews so far. That whole special was designed to go after Twitter. He did a great job of pulling the mask off it. Particularly once you learn what his trans friend went to courtesy of the clicktivists.

Chappelle's a big, juicy target to point a finger at. People can do so. But I'm pointing fingers at a toxic, harassing online culture that is terrible for mental health, dehumanizes people regularly, and shamelessly promotes authoritarianism in thought. I don't know what about punishing heretics went so well for minorities in the past that we feel the need to emulate it. Sometimes, when people who've never had power suddenly get it, it doesn't go so well. And, IMO, we're seeing a lot of that now on social media.

Dave Chappelle will come and go. But the social culture the clicktivists are getting away with? That shit will last and continue to do damage long after he leaves the stage if it's not called out. He's a bit too big for Twitter to really do anything to him. And, boy, does that piss them off.

[vercetti2021]

41. As a trans person

I don't really care? He can make jokes all he wants about us. He's a comedian after all and no one is safe from jokes. Though I will say he is losing his touch pretty badly though. Like his jokes just aren't as funny as they once were, I feel he's relying on stale humor more. But that's just me. Again I don't care what he says about people like me, I just laugh it off and shrug

[Oneironaut]

45. ...

🏳️?⚧️

Hi Vercetti!

[vercetti2021]

46. Hello!

How are you

[Oneironaut]

47. Doing great! And you?

[vercetti2021]

48. Just fine thank you!

I don't let people get to me, if they wanna be transphobic or anything, fine be that way. I'll be happy while they'll be miserable and obsessed.

[Oneironaut]

52. That's a great attitude! I totally agree!

[eShirl]

44. I'm not about to support any TERFs

do not want

[betsuni]

54. Just watched and really enjoyed, well-crafted show.

Favorite line: "Dave, they're after you!" "Is that one they, or many theys?"

He was also a guest on Netflix's Dave Letterman's "My Next Guest Needs No Introduction," third season.

[tonedevil]

69. I thought we didn't like people who helped...

donald get elected in 2016. Those who sing the praise of chappelle seem to have forgotten his clever hot take about Secretary Clinton being responsible for him hearing donald say he grabbed women by the pussy. Oh yeah, he also said that donald was implying he had consent when he did the grabbing. What a wonderful man you guys have chosen to luv.