Dave Chappelle holds Q&A with teenage critics at his Alma Mater

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Photo: Eamonn M. McCormack / Getty Images

Dave Chappelle is said to have invited students from his old high school to speak to him amid the lingering controversy surrounding his Netflix special The Closer. According to a Politico report, he and a film crew made a surprise visit to DCs Duke Ellington School of the Arts on November 23 for a one-hour question-and-answer session. Chappelle was reportedly greeted with a mixture of boos and cheers. A spokesperson for Duke Ellington told Politico the comedian specifically invited voices of discontent to question him, adding that this made his supporters the silent majority. About eight of the 580 students present are said to have taken the microphone. A student would have called the comedian a fanatic, adding, I’m 16 and think you’re childish, you handled it like a child. According to two anonymous students who spoke to Politico, Chappelle replied: My friend, with all due respect, I don’t believe you can make any of the decisions I have to make on any given day. (As with many of his live shows, the phones were confiscated at the door to prevent recordings.)

Another question that Politico simply described as antagonistic would have prompted Chappelle to answer, I’m better than any instrumentalist, artist, whatever art you do in this school, right now I’m better than all of you. I’m sure that will change. I am sure you will soon be familiar names. Per Politico, after a student in the audience shouted, Your comedy is killing, the comedian fired back, N- – – – – are being killed every day. He would then have asked: The media are not there, are they? The two students who spoke to Politico said they were afraid to speak out during the assembly as Chappelle often answered questions by laughing or making jokes. The comedian reportedly singled out a student who left the room, saying: Of course she left earlier. Apparently confirming the interaction, Chappelles’ spokesperson told Politico that the person in question couldn’t even contemplate the idea of ​​a conversation.

Chappelle reportedly softened his tone towards the end of the event, noting that he didn’t want to hear any death threats against students protesting against him. This is my family and whether they know it or not, I love these children, he reportedly said. Before he left, he also handed out tickets to a screening of his documentary Untitled, as well as 600 Thanksgiving meals for students and staff. According to her alma mater, Chappelle has contributed millions of dollars to the school and created several high profile opportunities for her students. The nomination of a theater in his honor had already been postponed due to student refusal. But according to a school statement, the event originally scheduled for this week was only delayed to create an opportunity to address community concerns and create a good time for learning around freedom and freedom. artistic responsibility. The theater will still carry the Chappelle name in April.

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