Chappelle’s influence

Regarding “Dave Chappelle demonstrates his virtuosity in lengthy ‘SNL’ monologue” (SFChronicle.com, Nov. 13):

Critic Mick LaSalle praised Dave Chappelle’s “Saturday Night Live” monologue for its virtuosity and critique of cancel culture. Chappelle was skillful in provoking controversy about whether or not his routine was antisemitic. His crossing back and forth over the line deftly mocked both Kanye West and Kyrie Irving’s antisemitism and those who condemned them for it.

Chappelle also cleverly managed to outmaneuver any Jews who might speak out against him — because doing so would only prove his point about “the Jews” and our perceived power. I don’t want to get Chappelle “canceled,” but I want him, his audience, and Chronicle readers to understand the hurtful and frightening impact of his monologue.

Hearing the audience laugh as Chappelle denounced antisemitism scared many of us. It pained us that our fears — from both generational trauma and today’s surge in antisemitic incidents — are not understood. Chappelle’s routine may or may not have been antisemitic, but he continued the disturbing recent trend of normalizing antisemitism by providing ammunition to those who won’t get the nuances of his comedy and by mocking our fears, which grow increasingly more founded.

Rabbi Chai Levy, Congregation Netivot

Shalom, Albany