SHOULD WE CANCEL NETFLIX & DAVE CHAPPELL ?

Do I have to cancel Netflix in light of their support behind The Closer, by Dave Chappell, a transphobic piece of content, hidden behind the label of comedy currently leading the Netflix Originals charts?

That’s the question I’m wrestling with, which feels really unfair because I really love Chef's Table. A lot. But I’m at a loss as to how the people who were so good to Elliot Page when they came out as Transgender, be the same ones who have stuck with the mean & dangerous things coming out of Dave Chappells mouth in The Closer

Money, I guess?

Then I wonder, “but should I cancel Netflix?”

“Let my money speak?”

Maybe?

But if BIPOC folks boycotted every company that did racist shit, I imagine the world would be off limits, most likely, myself included.

When I dig deeper, I wonder, “isn't it hypocritical to cancel something only when my people have been hurt?”
I think so.

And when I go down the rabbit hole of this complicated dilemma I can see more and more perspectives, shimmering back at me like a prism.

What about all the trans folks who work for or with Netflix? Does cancelling my subscription hurt them? And should we be censoring Netflix to begin with? If so, are we inviting the same critical eye pointed back at us?

Netflix has brought us some of the best LGBTQ+ content out there.

Yes they are giving Dave Chappell a platform, but they are also giving one to Hannah Gadsby.

Netflix is the same company that brought us Sense8- the first show I remember seeing where a person being trans was the least interesting part about them.

Katherine so excited to eat curry and watch Sex Education on a couples getaway.

And Mae Martin’s Feel Good, & fuuuuuuuck Netflix even gave us the gift of Stephen Satterfield, and High on The Hog, and OH MY GOOD LORD Laurie Nunn’s Sex Education- the best show on TV right now. IMHO.

How do I cancel all of that wonderful television?

Do I cancel something because I disagree with part of it?

Do I take something I love away from myself because I don’t love all of it?

Do I take a stand?

If so, do I know all the moving pieces? Have I educated myself enough? Do I know how my actions might ripple out?

I don’t know what happened to Dave to make him feel such big feelings towards transgender folks. But I do suspect that he has dealt with just as much hate, pain, & heartache as I have. I'm in no place to judge what he does with that pain. Instead I’m trying to understand it, see the humanity in him. Maybe that’s misguided.

But hell, sometimes out of our pain comes comedy, and that seems sort of wrong too sometimes. Doesn’t it? I know I've laughed at something that has caused others pain before. I’ve laughed at things that cause me pain before. So throw the 1st rock and all of that. Right?

I don’t know about you? But I suspect that we are all just doing the best we can, Dave Chappell included. And I’m not sure I’m ready to blow my whole relationship up with Netflix based on one bad choice. Even if I was, I don’t know that cancelling Netflix is going to solve anything, today.

I don’t know much, but I do know that I won’t be watching The Closer anytime soon. I’ll be keeping my heart safe instead. And I’ll be making a vote for what I believe with my viewing power. Maybe you’d like to chose to make a vote with your views, and take a pass on this title too.

Or maybe not. Because nothing is as easy or straight forward as it seems.

If I’m Not Cancelling Netflix What Will I do?

What I’ll do tomorrow is still up in the air? I’m still learning, and evolving, and making new choices moment by moment.

What I will do to support LGBTQ+ people and the Netflix employees who are standing up for what they believe, and make a stand with what I watch.

I will ask that Netflix counteracts this harmful narrative that transgender folks are exactly who they say they are by providing more transgender, and gender non conforming characters, stories, and narratives to create more representation for LGBTQ folks.

If we all spent our time watching programming with LGBTQ+ representation and themes I believe that Netflix will follow the dollars and invest more in programming that represents a more diverse look at the world.

What LGBTQ+ Show, Documentary or Movies should we all be watching?

Maybe what we watch is a better vote than cancelling?

Or, maybe that’s just my privilege talking. I’m still figuring it out.