Dave Chappelle faces criticism from students during surprise visit to his high school

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Dave Chappelle received boos and cheers during a surprise visit to his high school this week, Politico reports. According to the outlet, which broke the news Thursday, November 25, the award-winning comedian stopped by his alma mater, the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC; for a question-and-answer session with students on Tuesday 23 November.

Chappelle spokeswoman Carla Sims told Politico he visited the school thinking the students would offer their forgiveness after a fundraising event featuring him was postponed earlier this month . However, the point of sale writes, many teens instead criticized Chappelle for the jokes he made during his controversial Netflix special The Closer on the LGBTQ + community.

According to Politico, a student called Chappelle a “bigot”. “I’m 16 and I think you’re childish; you handled it like a child, ”they said. Another student reportedly shouted: “Your comedy kills. The outlet writes that Chappelle mocked several of the critical comments, including mocking a student for leaving the question-and-answer session earlier.

Chappelle also reportedly told the teenage crowd, “I’m better than any instrumentalist, artist – no matter what art you’re doing in this school right now, I’m better than all of you. I’m sure that will change. I am sure you will be known soon.

Some students and at least one parent also reportedly took issue with Chappelle’s use of the N word throughout the question-and-answer session.

“As a parent I have to say I have a real problem… He was very serious and used the N word on the record. What kind of judgment does the school show to allow this?” A unidentified relative told Politico.

“They are complaining that he spoke and said the N word. On the contrary, Dave is putting the school on the map,” Chappelle’s spokesperson said in response.

In total, Politico writes that about 580 students attended the question-and-answer session and about eight teenagers showed up to ask questions. While the session’s negative comments garnered the most attention, a school spokesperson said Chappelle specifically called on his critics to address him, leaving his supporters as the “silent majority.”

“During the conversation with students and staff, Chappelle specifically invited voices of discontent to ask questions. However, as a result, Chappelle supporters became the silent majority, ”said Duke Ellington spokeswoman Savannah Overton. “Our principal was approached by several students after the assembly who were disappointed not to be able to express their support for Chappelle in this forum.”

Some students at the school have reportedly received death threats for denouncing Chappelle, forcing administrators to tighten security. Chappelle responded to this in the question and answer session and said, “This is my family and whether they know it or not, I love these kids… I don’t want to hear any threats against these kids. These kids don’t deserve this.

“He was really nice,” a student said of Chappelle’s comments. “Yes [only] he [had] acted this way all the time … there was no reason to be mean to us. He just didn’t care about the kids.

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