It was going to be “the most significant honor” of his life. Comedian Dave Chappelle has won multiple Grammys and Emmys and was even awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
And on Oct. 5 of this year, Chappelle’s alma mater, the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, announced it would rename its theater after Chappelle, arguably the school’s most famous alumnus.
“I’ve been honored many ways, many times. This means the most,” Chappelle told an audience at the Angelika Pop-Up theater at Union Market in Washington, D.C.
Chappelle, who now lives in rural Ohio, was in Washington to help fundraise for Ellington. The school is looking to raise $1.5 million by the end of 2021 to help pay for teachers’ salaries. Chappelle himself promised to donate $100,000 that night.
But the potential donors gathered at Union Market that night weren’t just there to be plied for money. They were also there for a screening of Chappelle’s latest, and perhaps final, Netflix special, The Closer. And thanks to the content of that special, the renaming of Ellington’s theater in honor of Chappelle is now in doubt.
“The Closer has sparked a national debate around race, gender, sexuality and cancel culture,” a statement from Ellington released last week reads. “As a learning institution that champions inclusivity, diversity, equity, and belonging, we care deeply about protecting the well-being and dignity of every member of our student body, faculty, and community. We also believe moving forward with the event, originally scheduled for November 23, 2021, without first addressing questions and concerns from members of the Ellington community, would be a missed opportunity for a teachable moment.”
Apparently, after the Netflix special aired, many of the students at Ellington were offended by the content and did not want Chappelle’s name associated with the school. Chappelle hasn’t been canceled yet, but the renaming has been delayed until at least April 22, 2022.
We wish Ellington well on its “teachable moment.” And we hope the administration stays strong and goes through with honoring Chappelle. But we doubt it will change any students’ minds.
