"Self-worth Overpriced"
A comedian's purpose is to deliver the funny. But what happens when the laughter changes. When the joke is on you and you find yourself center stage with a bright spotlight. Is the joke on you when you exit or on them because they have no idea what they have done?
Which brings me to the point; when do we choose our self-worth over success? A few months ago, I watched the Sundance documentary, Iconoclasts with Dave Chappelle and Maya Angelou. He recounts to Angelou the feeling of standing on stage listening to the sound laughter that used to please his ears and how it changed his purpose for being on stage.
"You get sensitive to how people laugh. When I left my show was because I did this sketch, and I knew what I intended, but somebody laughed differently than I intended. And I caught it. Other people around were like what are you talking about. I heard too many -- I know what I'm talking about -- I'm certain of it. You know, it was painful." -Chappelle (Iconoclasts 2006)
You could feel the intensity rise in the room as tears welled in Chappelle's eyes as Angelou's response to his testimony acted as validation that he had in fact made the right decision. She further stated the mere resemblance of action when she had to leave Martin Luther King and the Southern Leadership Conference to go to Malcom X. Sometimes you have to do what is best for you at that time. There are so many comedians and actors out there that have to decide which decision will benefit their career. I often wonder how actors feel taking on roles like a homosexual male/female because of how highly publicized the topic is during this era of equal rights for all. Or the assumptions and accusations geared towards their own sexual preferences. It wasn't until I heard a radio interview with Jussie Smollett (Jamal) from the hit show Empire about how he was casted for that specific role. He said that his sister sent him the link that Lee Daniels was coming out with a show called Empire. He called his agent who was already on it and sent him the script. Immediately he said he knew he wanted to be Jamal, so he sent a DM on Twitter to Lee Daniels saying,
"I know I am Jamal, he's a singer/songwriter and that's me. I have to be him."
Lee Daniels responded, "Casting will be in touch with you, peace."
He later auditioned with the powerful Ex-Factor by Lauryn Hill and ended with Blurred Lines by Robin Thicke and snagged the part playing Jamal.
It appeared to me, after hearing his experience that it doesn't matter what or who you're playing as long as you're happy and acceptant of it. Not once did he mention Jamal's character being a homosexual. This did not play a factor nor dominate the role he pursued. I found that very intriguing and inspiring.
I know it's a tough competitive world out there, but never ditch your worth to measure a level of success. If you get caught in what the world wants, you will in fact lose what you represent. I have so much respect for Dave Chappelle for walking away. Although fans yearn for another season of the Chappelle show, if you are a true fan you will stand with his decision and cherish the thought-provoking, hilariously funny seasons he did deliver.
To watch the full episode of Iconoclasts click here.
