The One Thing Dave Chappelle Was Definitely Right About
Revisiting The Ingenious Comedy Sketch That Perfectly Defines Race In Modern America
In private circles I can be a pretty funny guy. But I learned the hard way that I have neither the creativity nor the courage to be a stand-up comedian. The one and only time I took my “talents” to the stage I bombed an ‘Open Mic Night’ so badly that I decided I’d leave stand up to people better suited for the rigors of that craft. Call me a quitter if you like, but I discovered quite quickly that I definitely preferred my heart beating on the inside of my chest. Partly due to that harrowing experience, I sincerely admire those that possess the gift and the grit to master the game. In my book, that is pretty damned close to qualifying as a super-power.
I hold in especially high regard the precious few that actually have something of substance to say to their audience while delivering the laughs. Few would even bother denying that some truly exceptional philosophers have delivered their prized wisdom wrapped up in a killer punchline. The late George Carlin was probably the greatest of all time in that regard. But Dave Chappelle is right there with him.
Despite my own shortcomings as a comic, my judgment on the subject is about as sound as you can find anywhere. As an avid consumer of the artform, I understand the one…
