Dave Chappelle released an unexpected Netflix special on Friday titled The Unstoppable.
During the performance, he addressed the recent assassination of conservative internet personality Charlie Kirk.
Some political figures have recently compared Charlie Kirk to the civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. because both men died from gunshot wounds to the neck.
Dave Chappelle acknowledged that the manner of their deaths was indeed similar and tragic, but he argued that the two men occupied completely different roles in history.
The comedian explained that internet personalities like Charlie Kirk rely on negativity and controversy to gain attention.
Dave Chappelle argued that online figures often say things specifically to upset people so they can increase engagement.
He suggested that this behavior fundamentally differs from the inclusive work of Dr. King.
To emphasize his point, Dave Chappelle performed an impression for the crowd, imagining how absurd it would look if Dr. King acted like a modern social media influencer.
This segment of the show drew loud laughter from the audience as the comedian mocked the way people use social media to farm for engagement.
The debate over Charlie Kirk has grown since his death on a college campus in Utah this past September.
Conservative voices, including Florida Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna, have praised him as a hero for free speech.
During his memorial service, she even compared him to George Washington and John F. Kennedy.
However, the family of Dr. King does not agree with these comparisons.
Martin Luther King III stated that while Charlie Kirk was a significant force in society, his work did not focus on the inclusiveness that defined his father’s legacy.
Dave Chappelle continues to use his platform to weigh in on the most sensitive topics in American culture.
His new special arrives at a time when the public remains divided over the influence of political commentators.
By using humor to dissect these comparisons, the comedian encourages his viewers to think more deeply about how they view modern activists.
He remains one of the few performers willing to tackle such divisive issues directly through standup comedy.
As the special gains views online, his comments are sparking a wide range of reactions from both supporters and critics of the late Charlie Kirk.
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