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Michelle Buteau Critiques Dave Chappelle’s Anti-Trans Comedy

Michelle Buteau, a comedian known for her role in the film Babes, has openly criticized fellow comic Dave Chappelle for his controversial and anti-trans remarks. This critique came during her second Netflix special, where she utilized her platform to address issues within the comedy community, particularly surrounding the treatment of marginalized groups.

In her latest special, Michelle Buteau: A Buteau-ful Mind at Radio City Music Hall, she shared experiences involving her “Black lesbian friend” and reacted to a mixed response from the audience. Buteau highlighted that while comedians should tell jokes and share stories, they should also refrain from mocking entire communities. Buteau emphasized the importance of humor that makes people feel safe and included, stating, “We can do that. We can make it funny… We just have to work at it, right?” She further urged the audience to communicate this message to Chappelle, expressing concern that he might not recognize the impact of his words.

Interestingly, Buteau referred to Chappelle as “the GOAT,” but with a twist—reinterpreting the acronym to mean “going off on trans people.” She lamented the significant financial success of those who provoke fear and insecurity through their comedy, declaring, “I can’t believe somebody would make millions and millions of dollars for making people feel unsafe.” Buteau is committed to a different approach, aspiring to generate wealth while making her audience feel “safe, seen, secure, heard and entertained.”

Chappelle’s Ongoing Controversy with the Trans Community

Chappelle’s career has seen him face sharp criticism, particularly for his treatment of the trans community. His previous Netflix special, The Closer, ignited significant backlash, resulting in employees staging a walkout in protest of his remarks. This outrage was fueled by comments he made regarding trans women, including his opinions on gender and a disparaging joke about a lesbian encounter in a nightclub.

Despite the pushback, Chappelle upheld his right to express his views, with Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos standing by him and rejecting calls for censorship. This has led to further discussions about the implications of stand-up comedy as a vehicle for reinforcing harmful stereotypes and attitudes toward marginalized groups. Many argue whether comedians should hold the freedom to voice opinions that perpetuate societal harms, rather than simply entertain.

Continuing this contentious theme, Chappelle’s follow-up special, The Dreamer, released in 2023, did not shy away from controversial remarks, including a troubling statement about pretending to be a transgender woman in order to gain access to a women’s prison. Such comments have led to a division among audiences; some may view his humor as “edgy,” while others see it as an inappropriate reflection of a comedian struggling to adapt to contemporary social understandings.

Buteau’s approach contrasts sharply with Chappelle’s, reinforcing the message that comedians can entertain without resorting to ridicule, thereby encouraging a more inclusive form of humor. The contrasting styles of Buteau and Chappelle bring to light a critical conversation within the comedy world about the responsibilities of entertainers to their audiences.

As the dialogue around comedy and social accountability evolves, Buteau’s insistence on uplifting marginalized voices through her work serves as a pivotal reminder of the potential for comedy to be both funny and affirming.

Source
movieweb.com