Dave Chappelle Opens Up About Making Comeback in Current Racial Climate
“This is a very surprisingly emotionally charged time, so people like me, I think, are very relevant and necessary in sorting through all this,” comedian says
Anita Bennett | July 19, 2015 @ 10:48 AM
Last Updated: July 19, 2015 @ 2:52 PM
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Dave Chappelle has never been shy when it comes to race. But the comedian says it’s just a coincidence he’s staging a comeback as the country deals with a series of racial issues including the fatal police shooting of Michael Brown, and the deaths of Eric Garner and Freddie Gray in police custody.
“I think it is important to be out now, but what’s going on in the world isn’t why I initially came back out,” Chappelle told the Associated Press Saturday.
He went on to say, “This is a very surprisingly emotionally charged time, so people like me, I think, are very relevant and necessary in sorting through all this information and emotional content.”
The former “Chappelle’s Show” star made his comments at a gathering in Bridgehampton, New York, where he received an award from Russell Simmons’ Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation.
During his acceptance speech, Chappelle said the arts education he received in high school in Washington, D.C., helped keep him out of trouble. He went on to tell the audience that artists have a responsibility to be activists.
“The biggest enemy of an artist is apathy,” he said. “A kid gets killed by the police and I buy a T-shirt and before I can wear that one, there’s another kid [killed] and I’m running out of closet space.”
Chappelle famously walk away from his Comedy Central show in 2005, just months after signing a $50 million deal with for a third and fourth season.
At the time, his sketch series was a juggernaut hit with many of its comedy sketches, particularly the ones about race, becoming viral sensations.
But on Saturday, Chappelle told the crowd he has no regrets about walking away.
“I can say honestly that I’m happy, that I can sit at home on a Tuesday night and watch Key and Peele do my show and it doesn’t hurt me.”
“Selma” director Ava DuVernay and artist Wangechi Mutu were also honored at the event, which raised money for arts in schools.
The Scene in Baltimore Following Freddie Gray's Death (Photos)
Freddie Gray suffered catastrophic injuries after he was arrested on Apr. 12 for running from Baltimore police. He slipped into a coma and died on Apr. 19.
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Protesters marched toward the Baltimore Police Western District station in a stand against police brutality and the death of Freddie Gray
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Protesters clashed with police during a march through Baltimore in honor of Freddie Gray on Apr. 25
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Gray's casket was unloaded for his funeral on Apr. 27, drawing thousands of people from all over the country
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Following Gray's funeral, at least 15 Baltimore police officers were injured on Apr. 27 when riots broke out in response to Gray's death
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Protesters set fires in the streets of Baltimore on Apr. 27 following Gray's funeral
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Cars were burned as rioters threw rocks and bricks at the police on Apr. 27
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Several police cars were destroyed by the crowds on Apr. 27
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A CVS pharmacy in Western Baltimore became symbolic of the riot when it was looted and burned on Apr. 27
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Riots continued throughout the night on Apr. 27
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By the end of the night on Apr. 27, nearly 200 people had been arrested
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Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan walked out of an interview with Don Lemon on Apr. 27, after the CNN anchor questioned their decision making
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A National Guardsman kept watch over a deserted Baltimore street on Apr. 28
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Burned out cars and wreckage smoldered as Baltimore prepared for an enforced curfew on Apr. 28
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One protestor laid down in the street in front of riot police on Apr. 28 rather than abide by the city-wide curfew
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Police fired tear gas into the crowd as residents resisted a city-wide 10 p.m. curfew on Apr. 28
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Fearful of large crowds and the safety of fans, the Baltimore Orioles played the Chicago White Sox on Apr. 29 in an empty stadium, the first time such a game has occurred
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Baltimore Orioles players beat the Chicago White Sox in an empty stadium on Apr. 29, with some pretending to sign autographs for invisible fans
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Protests spread on Apr. 29 to New York City as around 140 people were arrested in Union Square
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The outbound Holland Tunnel in New York was shut down on Apr. 29 as protestors flooded the streets
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New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony joined protesters in Baltimore on Apr. 30, the NBA All-Star grew up in Charm City
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Demonstrators clashed with police in Philadelphia during a march dubbed "Philly is Baltimore" on Apr. 30
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Violent protests took over the city as thousands demonstrated after the 25-year-old man died in police custody on Apr. 19
Freddie Gray suffered catastrophic injuries after he was arrested on Apr. 12 for running from Baltimore police. He slipped into a coma and died on Apr. 19.