For some reason, I have never been a big fan of Dave Chappelle. It’s not that I don’t recognize his immense talent or cultural impact—those are undeniable. Chappelle has an extraordinary ability to weave sharp social commentary with humor that resonates deeply with audiences. Yet, despite his brilliance, something about his style or perspective hasn’t fully clicked with me.
Perhaps it’s his delivery, which often walks the line between irreverence and insight, leaving me feeling more challenged than entertained. Or maybe it’s the themes he often revisits, which, while bold and thought-provoking, sometimes feel polarizing or heavy-handed to me personally. It could even be a matter of timing—my first exposure to his work may not have aligned with my tastes or mindset at the time, creating an impression that has lingered.
Then again, it might simply come down to subjective preference. Comedy, like all art, is deeply personal. While I can appreciate Chappelle’s genius and applaud how he’s pushed boundaries, I’ve realized that his brand of humor doesn’t evoke the kind of connection or joy I seek in comedy.
It’s fascinating how personal biases, tastes, or even a single experience can shape our perceptions of public figures, especially those as culturally significant as Dave Chappelle. Reflecting on this could be an opportunity to explore not only his work but also my own relationship with art, humor, and what I value in the people I admire.
With that stated, I watched his opening monologue on Saturday Night Live (SNL) this past weekend. Today being President Trump’s inauguration, he focused on this event. As I watched and listened, all of the above thoughts rose up inside me. One thing that really hit me was his final closing remarks.
“The presidency is no place for petty people, so Donald Trump — I know you watch the show — man, remember, whether people voted for you or not, they’re all counting on you; whether they like you or not, they’re all counting on you. The whole world is counting on you. I mean this when I say this, good luck, please, do better next time. Please, all of us, do better next time. Do not forget your humanity and please have empathy for displaced people, whether they’re in the Palisades or Palestine.”
Dave Chappelle, SNL Jan. 18, 2025
Whether or not you agree with President Trump’s point of view, I think that Chappelle’s comments could be directed toward every president. It can be directed to everyone as well.
While you may not have the world counting on you, I am willing to bet that many people are. Your friends. Your family. Your co-workers.
We should ALL try to do better (not only the first time we do something) the second time we do something. GO for that improvement factor when you do something again.
Here in the US and many other parts of the world, there is a question that we are missing humanity. I wish that civility becomes more of a presence in the world. Let’s all start locally so it has a worldwide impact.
I don’t watch TV and haven’t seen or heard of Dave Chappelle. But I think his final remarks are right on. Not just for the President or high up offices but for everyone. We all need to do better and work together for the better. It might be for a job, a family, a government official, we all need to do better.
Well said, Martha! Dave C. is a controversial comedian.
I like what he said in that speech. And it’s true that we all need to do better every time we can and in every way we can. But unfortunately, fascism is not about listening to the little people.
You are correct, Jeanine. There can be a lot of opportunity to do better and change. One can hope…
I really appreciate how you reflect on Chappelle’s remarks and tie them to a universal call for empathy and improvement. His message about humanity and doing better resonates deeply, especially in today’s world. Starting locally to foster civility is such a practical and impactful idea—thank you for sharing this perspective!
You are welcome, Hanna!
I seem to live under a rock over here in Europe because I have never heard of Dave Chappelle. I do like what he says though. I wouldn’t go as far as to say I “count” on The Donald to do the right thing, but wouldn’t it be a beautiful thing?
What *I* hope to do better next time is not to let him and his BS get to me. It’s not healthy, and it helps no-one if I am annoyed.
I agree, Tamara. It would be nice if The People were put first and foremost. One can hope. We each have the power to control how we react to events, what people say, and the circumstances around us. It may not always appear to be easy to control my reactions, but if I can be aware of what I am doing and how I am responding. Thanks for the comments!
Such an inspiring post! I love the reminder to see mistakes as opportunities to grow. It’s something I’ve learned through crochet—those “flaws” often teach me the most.
Those “flaws” are what make each piece unique!