Comedian Michelle Buteau has made headlines for her candid critique of fellow comedian Dave Chappelle, particularly his controversial jokes about the transgender community. During her new Netflix special, A Buteau-ful Mind, which premiered on December 31, Buteau delivered her message to the audience at Radio City Music Hall.
With humor, but also seriousness, Buteau took purposefully pointed aim at Chappelle, who has faced considerable backlash over his comments about trans people. "We can tell jokes and stories and not disparage a whole community," Buteau emphasized after recounting stories involving her Black lesbian friend, noting the spectrum of audience reactions—some chuckled, others squirmed. This reaction highlighted her assertion: comedians have the choice to entertain without causing harm.
Transitioning smoothly from her personal anecdote, she directly addressed Chappelle's style of humor, stating, "So, if you ever run unto Dave Chappelle, can you let him know? I don’t think he knows [the impact of his words]... Dave, it’s not funny. It’s dangerous." Here, Buteau reframed the idea of the GOAT (greatest of all time) to mean "going off on trans people," illustrating her disappointment with Chappelle's approach and challenging both his actions and the industry standards.
"I can’t believe someone would make millions and millions of dollars for making people feel unsafe. That is so wild to me," she said, highlighting her bewilderment at Chappelle's lucrative career built upon what she perceives as dangerous humor. Her frustration echoed the sentiments of many who have felt marginalized by such jokes. "We just have to work at it, right?" Buteau urged, advocating for humor based on respect and inclusivity.
This isn’t the first time Chappelle has faced criticism for such subjects; his Netflix specials, particularly The Closer and The Dreamer, have repeatedly drawn ire for perpetuating harmful stereotypes and rhetoric about the LGBTQ+ community. Chappelle has remained unapologetic, insisting on his comedic freedom. Yet, Buteau reiterated the significant moral responsibility comedians hold and the potential consequences of their words.
Buteau's remarks come at a time when the conversation about comedy's societal role is more pertinent than ever. With rising anti-trans sentiment across various platforms and even legislation, humor can either contribute to the discourse positively or reinforce harmful narratives. "I'm manifesting this shit tonight," Buteau declared, aiming for her comedy to uplift people. "I wanna make millions and millions of dollars for making people feel safe, seen, secure, heard and entertained," reinforcing her commitment to constructive comedy.
The clash between Buteau and Chappelle brings to light the larger discussion within the comedy community about the line between edgy humor and offensive content. Buteau’s special allows her to present her perspective amid this contentious backdrop. It not only showcases her talent but also her values as she stands against making the comedy scene one predicated on belittling vulnerable communities.
While Chappelle continues to embody the polarizing figure within the stand-up sphere—a reputation rooted in pushing boundaries—Buteau's approach reflects the changing dynamics of what audiences expect and deserve from comedians today. Many are clamoring for humor to be inclusive rather than exclusive, pointing out the power of laughter aligned with respect.
Indeed, Buteau’s special highlights the dimension of comedy as more than just entertainment. It serves as both a mirror to society and as potential catalyst for change. By participating courageously in this vibrant yet fraught conversation, Buteau hopes to not only reclaim the narrative around comedy but, most significantly, to advocate for the marginalized, all through the art of humor.
It's clear: comedy has immense power—the power to heal or the power to harm. And as Buteau has made abundantly clear, she has chosen the former, encouraging others to follow suit. Not only does she want comedians to be witty but to also connect with and nurture all audiences, steering the conversation toward inclusivity and empathy.