I don’t really know what to say about this mess other than: Dave Chappelle, you are not helping. You’re not helping either side, and you’re not helping your own case either. Just last week, Chappelle was announced as the host of the November 12th episode of Saturday Night Live, the SNL episode after the election. For some reason, Chappelle decided to celebrate by doing a series of “surprise standup” gigs at The Cutting Room in NYC. On Friday night, Chappelle tried out some new material about the current election. Of course everyone is on edge and hyper-sensitive these days, so Chappelle’s political stuff was always going to make headlines. But… his comments seem really odd. I wouldn’t have expected Chappelle to come out with some Beyonce-like tribute to Hillary, but I also didn’t expect him to find a way to blame Hillary Clinton for Donald Trump’s p-ssy-grabbing tape. WTF? Here are some assorted comments he made during his set, as reported by the New York Observer:
The Access Hollywood tape: “What I heard on that tape was gross. But the way I got to hear it was even more gross. You know that came directly from Hillary.” He stated this had put him off a candidate he had already known was “not right.” He likened voting for her to a hypothetical situation of actress Halle Berry breaking wind in his face during sexual relations. “I’m still going to go for it. But I wish she hadn’t done that thing.”
On whether the Trump tape was an admission of sexual assault: “Sexual assault? It wasn’t. He said, ‘And when you’re a star, they let you do it.’ That phrase implies consent. I just don’t like the way the media twisted that whole thing. Nobody questioned it.”
On debate moderators Anderson Cooper & Martha Raddatz: “Something about this was backward. A gay white man and a white woman asking a multi-billionaire how he knows the system is rigged and insisting it’s not. Does that sound right to you? It didn’t seem right to me. And here’s how you know Trump is the most gangsta candidate ever. They asked him how he knows the system is rigged and he said, ‘Because I take advantage of it.’ He may as well have flashed his membership card for the Illuminati right then.”
He did vote for Clinton, but he didn’t like it: Noting that he voted early in rural Yellow Springs, Ohio before heading to New York, Chappelle said he “didn’t feel good” about voting for Clinton. “She’s going to be on a coin someday. And her behavior has not been coin-worthy. She’s not right and we all know she’s not right.”
How he feels about all forms of bigotry: “They should not be having that conversation in front of black people. You go ahead and feel something about your rights. But if you’re putting sexism and homophobia and transphobia in front of racism, you should be ashamed of yourself.” Chappelle still slammed North Carolina legislation stating that transgender people must use the public restroom that aligns with the sex stated on their respective birth certificates. “If you need to show your birth certificate to take a dump at a Wal-Mart in North Carolina, that’s insane.” Chappelle noted he would rather not have “a woman with a dick” stand next to him at a urinal. He also said he wasn’t happy about rumors that Caitlyn Jenner would pose nude for Sports Illustrated. “Sometimes I just want to read some stats.”On his SNL hosting gig: “You know there’s a pool going on whether or not I show up. I got $100,000 that says I won’t.”
If the conversation had been about a general feel of unease and mistrust regarding Hillary Clinton, and simply some riffs about that, I would understand Chappelle’s point of view. But there are some crazy twists and turns in his logic, especially regarding the Access Hollywood tape and how he blames Hillary for that, and how he doesn’t think the tape is an admission of sexual assault. It feels like… I don’t even know. I’m at a loss. I stand by comedians’ right to work out their material on stage, and maybe this is a situation where Chappelle was trying to workshop some political material and it just didn’t work out. But considering how brilliant we know he can be about hot-button political and racial topics, this feels really weird and uncomfortable. The conversation about transgender people and everything else is no bueno tambien.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
….. what?
I know right?
Firstly, that qualification of the word “let” was used by that nut-bag southerner Trump-camp guy on CNN in the kilt-as-jacket get-up this morning on CNN. Meaning that, if the women were shocked or froze (as happened to me when I was sexually assaulted) and said nothing then it was an implicit, NAY, explicit acquiescence to what was done to them. Because rape only happens when you scream “rape” immediately, right?!?
Also, isn’t that “racism is more worthy than any other cause so y’all need to shut up” equivalency bullshit argument used by the All Lives Matter nutters?
Dave Chappelle, I thought all those years away from the spotlight were because you couldn’t handle the insanity and hypocrisy around you. Turns out you are just insane and hypocritical.
Same. LOL Davesaywhut? That’s a lot to wade through.
Hillary doesn’t have to get her hands dirty. She has supporters who made sure the Access Hollywood tape saw the light of day. And God bless them for it. Since Trump is running for President, it’s relevant and we the people had a right to know.
Yes, Trump admitted to sexual assault. He clearly said, “I don’t even wait.” He doesn’t wait for consent. That’s sexual assault. The part about them letting him do it has more to do with the women not protesting because he’s rich and famous and that gives him a certain amount of power. It’s intimidation and coercion. I feel like Dave should know this.
Martha and Anderson had every right to ask Trump to show them the receipts about a “rigged system”. They weren’t playing dumb, they were being good journalists. They couldn’t allow that kind of assertion to go unchecked. Trump was saying our democracy is a fraud. Welp, back that claim up, Donny boy. Do you know something we don’t? Share it with the rest of the class.
It’s pure sexism that makes men hold Hillary to a higher standard than they do for her male counterparts. It’s the same principle that says men sleeping around is ok but women sleeping around is nasty and slutty. Hillary holds her own. She has a history. She’s battle tested. She’s a tough broad. Deal with it.
All forms of hate are bad. This isn’t the oppression olympics. You don’t get a medal for being most oppressed. In fact, most hardcore haters hate everybody that falls into one of those categories equally. So attacking all hate and discrimination benefits everyone. Some ladies have dicks. Why do you care, Dave? Do you think they spend time pondering your dick? Mind your damn business. Live and let live.
Well at least he arrived at the correct conclusion and voted for Hillary. He took a bunch of detours, though. His logic is fuzzier than a 5 o’clock shadow.
Agree on all points, Radley. Well said!
I was shocked when he said he voted for Hillary. His whole message sounded pro-Trump! Very confusing.
I also found his whole “racism comes first!” thing to make him seem very self-involved. Well of COURSE to YOU Racism comes first because you’re not affected by homophobia or sexism. That statement really bothered me. All forms of discrimination are wrong. Not only that, but many studies show that society is actually more likely to ‘shed’ racism first because sexism and misogyny are much more deeply entrenched which I think this election is an excellent example of. People said horrible racist things about Obama but the level of hate thrown towards Hillary is much, much higher in my opinion. Anyway, definitely don’t want to play the oppression olympics as you said, just really rubbed me the wrong way how he elevated the discrimination that affects him and dismissed the ones that don’t as ‘lesser causes’.
Great post Radley.
He lost me at the Halle Barry comment. Crude humor is just sophomoric and boring.
Radley for president!
I’m pretty sure there was a follow up statement from Chappelle’s camp that he blasted both candidates, but then said he’d already voted for Hillary. I’m also pretty sure that the observer is owned my trump’s son in law Jared kersher, for what it’s worth…
Never managed to re-tighten all of the screws I see
yeah, just what I was thinking.
+1.
+infinity. he had a lot of promise before his mental collapse.
Couldn’t read it all. Just so much wrong with it.
Agreed. I’m completely confused.
just. no.
Unsurprised. He did a comedy sketch a few years back that essentially justified talking to women like they are whores if they are dress like prostitutes (a highly subjective call).
Chappelle is a funny guy. I like to watch him. But, this is hardly the first time I’ve found his views problwmatic.
Yep, and lots of liberal bros and sex-negative victim-blaming feminists were all too happy to support and praise that sexist, bigoted quote (more evidence that, sadly, even so-called progressive people are ok with discrimination and mentalities that contribute to violence against women and girls as long as it’s not directed at the ones who play by the ‘chaste, respectable female virgin/madonna’ rulebook.) I wonder how the same ones who supported that are going to respond to his condescending, self-centered dismissal of discrimination and violence against other groups of people now. Misogyny is nothing new for Dave Chapelle. Even liberal dudes sometimes royally screw up when it comes to certain issues.
I know exactly what you’re talking about! It’s actually one of my favorites by him. Basically saying women dress like whores but don’t want to be treated like one. If he dressed as a cop & someone needed help he’d say “ohhhh no I’m not a cop I’m just dressed like one!” I didn’t think he was validating treating women like whores, more like explaining men’s confusion on appearance. Lord knows I find agree with that but I get what he’s saying. I almost always agree with him! Hillary isn’t right, she’s just the better one of out of the 2 options. Pick your poison, basically!
There are lots of reasons why the whores vs. cops argument is a huge false equivalent though. The word ‘whore’ isn’t just a neutral term for prostitute- it’s a slur that has always been used against not only literal prostitutes and other types of sex workers, but against any woman who’s seen as acting, dressing, or living in a way that’s seen as sexually immoral/decadent/promiscuous. It’s used interchangeably with the word ‘slut’ to convey a lack of morality and lesser status for the woman or girl (or group of them) it’s directed at. Women and girls have always had violence (and other ill-treatment) against them excused, enabled, and justified because of this kind of viewpoint. There’s also the fact unlike police officers, whose position is seen as entitling them to respect and not being dismissed or disbelieved, actual prostitutes/sex workers (in particular the ones who aren’t cis straight white males) have always been treated as less than by society, so he (and other people who use terms like prostitute, hooker, and whore in that context) are using one of the most marginalized groups of people as a shaming prop or punchline. Just like people who use terms referring to gay, bi, and transgender people that way, it’s basically punching down and taking advantage of the inequality that’s there just to have a fun, trendy way to ‘put someone in their place’. Then there’s the whole virgin/whore dichotomy issue and the issue of consent- police officers have specific uniforms that they wear, whereas for women and girls, ‘dressing like a whore’ just basically means anything immodest or skimpy. Those types of comments imply that there’s a way of dressing (basically anything revealing/skimpy/sexy) that’s exclusively for whores/women offering sex and a ‘way’ for women who are not offering sex to dress, and that the only women who should be wearing the immodest/skimpy stuff are the ones offering sex. It’s textbook rape culture rhetoric and his privilege is talking. A lot of cis dudes don’t get why women ‘make an issue’ of these things.
Ugh.
And another thing, Hillary didn’t put it out there. That news was going around NBC. Billy Bush had been talking about it also.
But what if she did?
Hillary’s not right? LOL Trump is insane. Hillary is sane and temperamentally fit to run this country. Trump was unfit to handle his own twitter account as far as comments and had to be filtered the last days of the election by his own team. LOL
In case you missed SNL this past week, there was even a joke about Hilary asking if there is anymore scandals that can be released on Donald Trump about the N word just to divert the attention back to Donald being racist, mysoginist, yadda yadda yadda.
Hilary Clinton is a piece of crap. So is Donald.
Watch a year from now, if she is voted President, your asses on here will be talking shit about her because she will be a shitty president. LOL!
You do realize that SNL is a fictional tv show and that Kate McKinnon isn’t really Hillary Clinton, don’t you?
I’m not sure I understand your point.
Yes, I realize it’s suppose to be “fictional” and funny for your eyes and ears only. However, there is some truth to all the humor correct?
@TOPgirl
“…just to DIVERT (my caps) the attention back to Donald being racist, mysoginist, yadda yadda yadda.”
There’s a difference between “divert” and “point out”.
Also, I don’t understand how anyone can dismiss Trump’s egregiousness as “yadda yadda yadda”.
“However, there is some truth to all the humor correct?”
The “truth” is subjective and based on your own experiences.
@ LinaLamon
Perhaps you didn’t watch the skit on SNL.
Also, We all know what Donald has said and done…come on…does one need to repeat all his “evil” doings again on here. Don’t get your panties all up in a bunch.
Clinton and Donald are both pieces of crap. We have to vote for one piece of crap. What other choice is there. If Collin Powell was running, I’d vote for him at least his email was honest. LOL!
Are you for real? Colin Powell lied even fabricated evidence about weapons of mass destruction. Yes such an honest man, eye roll.
Hillary is no more a piece of crap than the majority of male politicians that’s risen to power at some point or other. This idea that she’s the worst is just sexist. I don’t find her charismatic or especially likeable I don’t agree with all her politics but I am seriously fed up with her being vilified for things that male politicians do all the time.
Yes, I’m for real. Collin Powell spoke the truth in his email about how shitty Hillary and Bill Clinton is and that has got to take some real honest balls to do.
The other shit don’t matter because he was working for the government and the government lies all the dam time. Which politician do you know that doesn’t have the devil’s horn on their head???
So what do you mean, male politicians do what all the time? You mean they wear black face like Hillary did back the day?
Come on ya’ll.
@Topgirl:
“The other shit don’t matter because he was working for the government and the government lies all the dam time. Which politician do you know that doesn’t have the devil’s horn on their head???”
Do you have any idea how hypocritical you are with this? You can excuse male, Republican politicians their misbehavior because of the above quote but can’t excuse a female, Democratic politician for the same damn thing?!??!!!?!?!?!?? You literally contradicted your entire point with the above line.
@ Trixie
Oh no no. I don’t and didn’t excuse Hillary. I originally said, they are both CRAP. When will ya’ll get the point. Both of them are devils in disguise. They are both disgusting slithering humans with underlying agendas that are not for the people of our country.
But which one is spewing the better truth? The truth you want to hear?
You want to hear “grab em by the pussy”..then that’s all you’ll hear BUT if you want to hear that all black men are “Super predators” then that’s all you’ll hear. You are picking and choosing what fits you’re own beliefs from their perspective. BUT they are snakes no less.
I don’t care if it was Hillary running against Beyonce….you still gotta choose which one has less shit in their hand.
She’s still better than the alternative. And you probably could have pointed to better evidence of Hillary being a piece of crap than her (SNL, actually) wanting to out Donald Trump’s history of misogynistic, racist, or predatory behavior. No reasonable person thinks there’s anything shitty about that. The fact that some people are more worried about that kind of behavior being exposed than they are about having that kind of person be our next president says more about them than it does about Hillary and those of us who voted for her.
Wow. I’m just . . . wow.
Well it wouldn’t be a comment section if we didn’t have at least one troll…..
You seem to have a bit of a fixation with faecal matter TOPgirl. A slightly more varied vocabulary might make your case for Hillary/ Trump equivalence stronger. No scrap that, it wouldn’t.
haha. yes yes. Try to use your intelligent words spelled wrong too, it’s fecal. But Crap sounds so much more interesting right. It sends the right message. I’m not trying to write a paper btw. LOL!
Full disclosure, I’m a big Dave fan. I suspect his words may come across differently in the context of his stand up – especially if he’s also blasting Trump as well. I’m pretty sure he did. But I don’t blame people for being disappointed in him. I was taken aback after reading this too. Ugh
I know everyone is tense and we are in the last 24 hours of this election, but relax. Dave Chappelle isn’t going to sway votes. There are no undecided voters out there waiting to hear what Dave had to say. Everyone is entitled to their opinions. He’s a comic, not a politician, and comics sometimes say things they may not believe in to get a laugh.
Go vote tomorrow. No matter how long the lines are, DO NOT GET OUT OF LINE. Make your voice heard. This matters.
Exactly. I’m tense too, hearing all the donald supporters bust a trump piñata in a fit of orange/red faced candy cornucopia rage-ness.
Tw*t
That is some Inception-level mental gymnastics. To blame the woman for a man’s p*ssy-grabbing brag. Nice. And did I miss the memo that listed racism/misogyny/homophobia etc. according to importance? I must’ve been distracted that day crying in a fetal position under my desk. I also have no idea why it upset him so much that a gay man and a woman moderated a debate. It cannot possibly be because he’s a homophobe and a sexist, right? Oh, Dave.
Also, I’ll have to look it up again later, but in Donald Trump’s original quote, wasn’t there a part where he said that he didn’t even have to ask permission first? That he could just grope or kiss women and they wouldn’t do anything about it because of who he is? Nothing about that implies consent.
Yes. He did say that he just grabs them and start kissing them without permission. This is taken from the NYT transcript of the video:
Trump: Yeah, that’s her. With the gold. I better use some Tic Tacs just in case I start kissing her. You know, I’m automatically attracted to beautiful — I just start kissing them. It’s like a magnet. Just kiss. I don’t even wait. And when you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything.
Bush: Whatever you want.
Trump: Grab ’em by the pussy. You can do anything.
He is still kind of hot!
Dave … FOR THE CULTURE I am Making this your second strike before i HAVE TO official cancel you . Seriously!
Ugh. I wish I could un-read this. Disappointing, but given what I know about DC not entirely surprising.
“But if you’re putting sexism and homophobia and transphobia in front of racism, you should be ashamed of yourself.”
Eh? Why does it have to be a hierarchy? Can’t we put all these issues on an equal level of importance?
I can kind of understand that in the context of a very long history of open racism whereas for lots of people the existence of gay and trans people feels very new (not saying this is right, but I notice that a lot of older people in my sphere are kind of confused that there really are a lot of people who don’t fit the cis box or that there is a word like cis). So it might seem to Chapelle that people are leapfrogging (if that’s the right word) over the backs of black people to equal rights and treatment. But I don’t really understand why he hasn’t argued himself out of that, I always thought he was a philosophical comedian. Rationally there’s no way to defend his position.
That’s a nice thought, and I hope you’re right. But I think the more likely answer is that one of those forms of discrimination affects him personally and the other two don’t. Sadly, most people are very selfish and only care if it affects them personally.
I don’t know what it’s like to be a black man or trans and have your identity determine such a large part of how people are treating you.
“Sexual assault? It wasn’t. He said, ‘And when you’re a star, they let you do it.’
SPEECHLESS.
This is a hot mess. I wonder how much of his responses were influenced by weed because if he was sober, this is a big no.
OMG, is this guy for f–king real? That does not amount to consent. It’s coercion by someone misusing their power. They only ‘let him’ because they felt powerless and were in such a state of shock that it was happening at all. This is Cosby all over again. Disgusting.
This^^
Words that discredit any all comments a person is trying to make:
1. Illuminati
2. Killary
3. Libtard
Stop talking, No one with any kind of sense is listening.
That man needs some serious counseling and a course explaining rhetoric versus actual logic.
I dunno. Since it was part of his routine, I’d have to hear how it was said before getting pearl clutchy.
It seems like Dave and Katt have been hanging out in the same crazy circles (coughcokecough). I used to like you, Dave.
Considering how many women have come forward stating sexual assault at Trump’s hands, I think we can safely assume that most of these women didn’t “let” him grab them so much as reluctantly tolerated it due to the adverse power dynamic.
Why don’t you go tell that to the throngs of gays and trans people who have been (and continue to be) murdered for being who they are, you dick.
“They let you do it” does not imply consent to me. It implies that a woman is being sexually harassed and is in a position where she might lose work opportunities if she fights.
Trump’s comments took place right as he was about to interact with a woman who was at work. The woman he took furniture shopping was also interacting with him in a professional capacity.
Plus several of his accusers were interacting with him in s professional capacity when they said he assaulted them.
Pigs like him are the reason we need sexual harassment laws.
“They let you do it” does not imply consent to me. It implies that a woman is being sexually harassed and is in a position where she might lose work opportunities if she fights.
Trump’s comments took place right as he was about to interact with a woman who was at work. The woman he took furniture shopping was also interacting with him in a professional capacity.
Plus several of his accusers were interacting with him in s professional capacity when they said he assaulted them.
Pigs like him are the reason we need sexual harassment laws.