Netflix ignited a controversy involving cancel culture, freedom of speech, and comedian Dave Chappelle—the makings of a perfect storm.
More than a hundred years ago, Phineas T. Barnum, American showman and amazing self-publicist, said, “There’s no such thing as bad publicity.” Perhaps that is what Netflix had in mind when they agreed to stream Dave Chappelle’s latest comedy special, The Closer.
Given Chappelle’s propensity to be politically incorrect, it should not have been a surprise that the comedian’s presentation included phrases not appreciated by the left.
The Los Angeles Times reports that dozens of Netflix employees were offended by Chappelle’s “transphobic comments,” and their employer’s decision to stream the show, causing them to walk out of the Netflix offices on Wednesday morning in protest.
CNN reports that roughly 65 people gathered outside the company’s Los Angeles offices on Wednesday to protest against Netflix and support the transgender community. Members of the protest included the Netflix employees who walked out of the offices.
The Verge reports that Netflix terminated the organizer of the Oct. 20th walkout on suspicion that she was responsible for leaking sensitive financial information pertaining to the show to Bloomberg.
However, not all were offended by the comedy special. The Blaze reports that, comically, a solitary Chappell supporter arrived at the anti-Chappelle rally, carrying a “We like Dave” sign and singing, “Dave’s life matters!”
When the pro-Chappelle supporter’s sign was taken and destroyed, he said, “Why is he breaking my sign? Don’t I have free-speech rights?”
The irony was lost on the crowd who had mobilized to exercise their right to free speech.
Undeterred, the lone protestor continued with the signless pole in hand, saying, jokingly, “My sign! I need my poster board! It was $2.99. It was my money.”
Seeking to de-escalate the situation, the Chappelle supporter said to the crowd, “I’m just here to say that jokes are funny, people!”
He added, “Dave Chappelle is a funny guy! I love Dave! I don’t know why all the violence! I don’t know why all the hate! I just love Dave Chappelle! Dave Chapelle! Wooo!”
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