ecution and Dave Chappelle’s art (2) // (Scott Johnson).
We are being swept up in anti-Semitic hatred, violence, and violence that is sweeping through the black community and other areas. It was something I heard in the troubled thoughts of KanyeWest and wrote about it in “Antisemitism For Ye — But Not for Me.” The December commentary includes Eliot Kaufman’s deep backgrounder “O Ye of Little Faith, The Antisemitism Of KanyeWest.”
Dave Chappelle hosted Saturday Night Live over the weekend and performed the opening monologue. He dedicated the first half of his monologues to Kanye West, Kylie Irving and Kylie. This New York Post story contains Chappelle’s monologue.
I briefly wrote about Chappelle’s monologue here Sunday morning. Jonathan Tobin now addresses Chappelle in his JNS column ‘Dave Chappelle, and normalizing black Antisemitism.
Chappelle’s point of view was expressed ironically through comic form. He may be a genius at it but you don’t need to be a genius in order to understand what he was saying. He began with a prepared statement. Chappelle stated, “I denounce antisemitism in any form and stand with my Jewish friends.” “And that, Kanye,” is how you can buy yourself some time.”
Although Chappelle’s apology may have been applicable to his own routine, it made me wonder. What are decent people to do when confronted by the anti-Semitic thoughts of celebrities, cultural icons, or others? Don McLean sent us an early statement that sounded just like the formula Chappelle was mocking (let’s be clear: it was something I appreciated):
A flood of antisemitic invective has been generated by the ranting of an attention-seeking fool that we all know. I want to stand with my Jewish friends, and I stand for the state of Israel. This is why Israel’s state must be protected and respected when it happens.
From 1978 to 1982, I lived in Israel and fell in love with the country and its people. My life was forever changed by living there.
Tucker Carlson, however, presented West as a sage in Tucker Carlson Tonight. He hasn’t re-entered the subject since. Candace Owens stood up for West. It seems to me that West can be called out by a decent non-Jewish person with a soapbox, such as Carlson, Owens, or Don McLean, and can observe the harms being perpetrated right now. Owens was also back yesterday.
Jordan Peterson once stated that “if it persecutes a jester, it is probably a tyrant.”
After his monologue last night, pay attention to who, or what, calls for @DaveChappelle cancellation.
It was funny and multilayered.
In a free society, comedy is a protected space.
Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO November 13, 2022
Chappelle’s routine is comic irony wrapped in humor, but it’s not too layered. He explained that there are some things you can’t speak, such as sentences starting with “the Jews”. This isn’t too difficult (or funny). Chappelle’s own observations suggest that Hollywood is controlled by “the Jews.” To extract the nugget, you don’t need to go through too many layers.
Chappelle defends Kanye. Chappelle says that West should not be held responsible for the sufferings suffered by the Jews over the centuries. The Holocaust was not caused by blacks. Chappelle said, “I know that the Jewish people have gone through terrible things all around the world, but it’s not fair to blame that on black Americans.” “You can’t.” You don’t have to understand Kanye’s contribution in any way to the current epidemic in anti-Semitism within the black community.
I don’t want Kanye or his supporters like Chappelle to be canceled. I call on them to have a look and for influential non-Jews like Tucker Carlson or Candace Owens, to speak out. Eliot Kaufman was Jewish. Jonathan Tobin is Jewish. I am Jewish. I am Jewish.
