Dave Chappelle Left Show Because of White People

Dave Chappelle left his $50 million television deal behind because he was oppressed by whitey.

Dave Chappelle says in a new interview that he had several reasons for walking away from his cult-fave “Chappelle’s Show” — and a deal worth more than $50 million. His decision to leave the Comedy Central series last May led fans and industry executives to question his motives, and his sanity.

But in a 10-page spread in the Esquire magazine arriving Saturday, he says he closed “Chappelle” for reasons cultural, professional and personal.

Culturally: “The bottom line was, white people own everything, and where can a black person go and be himself or say something that’s familiar to him and not have to explain or apologize?”

Professionally: “I felt like I was really pressured to settle for something that I didn’t necessarily feel like I wanted.”

Personally: “The thing about show business is that, in a way, it forces dysfunctional relationships in people.”

Chappelle tells the magazine that putting on “Chappelle’s Show” was the best television experience he ever had. He plans to continue telling jokes and entertaining audiences, he says, so long as he can retain a degree of personal and creative freedom.

Actually, my copy of Esquire arrived in the mail a couple of days ago.

And one cure for white people owning everything is a black man spending his $50 million on some stuff. That’d be $50 million worth of stuff not owned by whitey, no?

As to “where can a black person go and be himself or say something that’s familiar to him and not have to explain or apologize” how about a cable television show named after yourself for which you’re paid $50 million? Having watched every episode by now, I can’t imagine what it is that he wanted to say that he was not permitted to say. Unless it was some white guy forcing all of those doo-doo jokes on him.

If so, I apologize on behalf of all white people.

via Gone Hollywood

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FILED UNDER: Popular Culture, Race and Politics, , , ,
James Joyner
About James Joyner
James Joyner is Professor and Department Head of Security Studies at Marine Corps University's Command and Staff College. He's a former Army officer and Desert Storm veteran. Views expressed here are his own. Follow James on Twitter @DrJJoyner.

Comments

  1. Steve Verdon says:

    What a jackass.

  2. Mythilt says:

    He lives near me in Yellow Springs…Home of Antioch College, one of the remaining total hippy schools in the country. A place where ‘Whitey’ keeping the man down is assumed without question, as is men are all rapests, and drugs make you wiser.

  3. SgtFluffy says:

    Oh, so it’s Whiteys fault, A Bill Cosby he will never be

  4. Actually, in reading his statement, it sounds like what he is saying is he was tired of having to explain his jokes because of political correctness. I think he’s explaining himself badly or the press edited his words badly, which they tend to do.

    He may have very well said what you thought he said, but it sounds to me like he’s saying white people own all the media outlets (true) and if you say anything aimed at blacks you will have to explain it to the suits and they will want you to change it. So there is no way he can do the show he wants to do.

    I understand his point. In light of the recent South Park controversy that is doubly understandable. However, I really dislike him making it all a race thing. Why shouldn’t he try to make a show for all people?

    It wasn’t the black audience that made him wealthy. It was the white cross over audience.

  5. floyd says:

    To a farmer, there is only one drop of rain between “not enough” and “too much”. When will america reach that revelation on race??

  6. Christopher says:

    Floyd, what are you smokin?

  7. floyd says:

    christopher; nothing, never have[unless you mean that figuratively] what i’m saying is we have given concessions to race for too long and it is time, not only to say “enough” but “too much” this is not as tactful as my former statement but should serve to clarify my point for you.i strove earlier to be more insightful and less inciteful with my language. it’s a “mindfield” out there you know![lol]

  8. Doug says:

    Here’s one suggestion for a place he can go where Whitey don’t keep da man down:

    Africa.

  9. A-TRAIN says:

    “Hereâ??s one suggestion for a place he can go where Whitey donâ??t keep da man down: Africa.”

    Hmmm. So you’ve never heard of colonization? The Middle F’ing Passage? HIV? Conflict diamonds? A lot of Africa is poor and demolished because of these things. I’m not putting 100% of the blame on white people, but whitey is everywhere my friend. Everywhere there is a buck to be made.

    And as far as Dave’s comment, “Where can a black person go and be himself or say something thatâ??s familiar to him and not have to explain or apologize.”
    I think he is referring to certain episodes like the “Niggar” skit he did. I remember the day after that show aired, many white people across my college campus went crazy repeating every line. Just because Dave says it doesn’t mean YOU can say it.