“I gained quite a lot of awards lately, however this one tonight might be essentially the most particular award I’ve ever gotten as a result of it’s from this establishment that represents these individuals, us individuals of coloration, Black individuals.”
That’s how comic and actor Dave Chappelle started his acceptance speech upon turning into the primary comic to obtain the President’s Award on the 56th NAACP Picture Awards on Saturday (Feb. 22). Then gliding backwards and forwards between being severe and, in fact, humorous, he delivered insightful and compelling feedback whereas delivering a name to arms to the leisure trade that drew robust applause amid a standing ovation.
Chappelle continued his speech by introducing his “god brother Ben Jealous,” a former president of the NAACP. “I requested him, ‘What do you assume I ought to say tonight?,” mentioned Chappelle. “And Ben despatched me a complete speech [to audience laughter]. However what was vital? He mentioned in 1915 the film Delivery of a Nation got here out and had a hideous depiction of African People. And by 1927 the NAACP had opened its first workplace right here in Hollywood. And from then, 100 years in the past to this very evening, they’ve been chipping away at this trade so that individuals like me can get up in entrance of individuals and inform my story or our tales. Each artist in right here, each alternative we get, each time we’re on digital camera, on stage, we simply preserve chipping away at this monster of a machine. However tonight, man, I really feel invigorated as a result of all my Netflix checks cleared [more audience laughter].
“I don’t owe anyone any work proper now,” Chappelle continued partly. “So each time you see me, simply know I’m solely up there as a result of I need to be proper up there. I hope all of us who work on this trade really feel robust and impressed and never discouraged, particularly as a result of it is a very tough time proper now, and your establishment is, sadly, extra related than it’s been in a very long time. We bought quite a lot of work to do, however it feels good to know that we’re not in it alone, that we bought one another. And bear in mind group is every little thing. Shout out to everyone who misplaced their residence or was displaced from their residence … Don’t ever be afraid to lean on one another. My father informed me a phrase that bought me all the way in which to the place I’m as we speak. He mentioned, “Everytime you mess up otherwise you really feel like you possibly can’t stand up, bear in mind these phrases as a result of they’re magic phrases. And I mentioned, ‘What’s the phrases, dad?’ And he mentioned, ‘Whoops’ [audience laughter] ’ Let’s preserve it transferring, y’all, let’s preserve it transferring.”
After thanking the NAACP and the viewers earlier than heading off stage, Chappelle additionally paid tribute to veteran movie and TV director/ producer Stan Lathan, who was within the viewers. Lathan’s prolonged record of credit contains Chappelle’s stand-up comedy exhibits equivalent to Killin’ Them Softly, Equanamity and Sticks and Stones in addition to Sesame Road, Sanford & Son and Def Comedy Jam.
Prefacing the award presentation was an introduction from NAACP president/CEO Derrick Johnson who mentioned partly, “We’re honoring him with the NAACP President’s Award, an award that isn’t nearly recognizing legends of their area however about celebrating their impression on tradition. For many years, Dave has made us snort like nobody else can, and let’s be actual. We want that now greater than ever. Numerous others have acknowledged him for his genius in comedy, however we’re honoring him for his fearless social commentary, for making us assume, for pushing boundaries and for the way in which his comedy has challenged the established order and resonated with individuals of each background.”
Johnson’s feedback have been adopted by a video section that includes numerous clips from Chappelle’s profession onstage and in tv and movie in addition to his philanthropic work together with his help of The Duke Ellington College of the Arts and the Flint water disaster. Among the many trade colleagues and associates taking part within the video was fellow comic and actor Eddie Murphy who mentioned, “Dave is possibly essentially the most mental comic ever.”
Chappelle is a six-time Grammy Award winner for greatest comedy album, most lately in February for The Dreamer. His accolades additionally embrace 5 Primetime Emmy Awards: three for his Netflix comedy specials Sticks & Stones and Equanimity & The Fowl Revelation and two for internet hosting Saturday Night time Stay in 2017 and 2021. Chappelle can be the 2019 recipient of the celebrated Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
