Netflix Releases Dave Chappelle’s Speech Slamming Transphobic Joke Critics at Alma Mater

variety.com:

Wilson Chapman editorA new release from Dave Chappelle titled “What’s in a Name?” dropped on Netflix Thursday, consisting of a speech in which the comedian addresses the backlash he’s faced for transphobic material in his standup.The 40-minute speech — which was released on Netflix without any prior announcement — took place at Chappelle’s alma mater, the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, D.C., during a planned ceremony to rename the school’s theater after him.

The choice by the school was widely criticized due to Chappelle’s inclusion of jokes targeting the transgender community — particularly trans women — in his recent projects like 2021 standup special “The Closer.” Chappelle also had a combative Q&A with Duke Ellington students following the release of the special in November, during which many criticized him for failing to listen to the objections of the LGBTQ community regarding his material.

During the renaming ceremony, Chappelle announced that he decided against having the theater named after him due to the controversy.

The Duke Ellington School ultimately named the space the Theater for Artistic Freedom and Expression.“What’s in a Name?” captures the speech where Chappelle announced the theater’s new name.