Dave Chappelle- 2019 Mark Twain Award Speech

Thank you.

Thank you.

I like not knowing what's going to happen.

I like making memories.

Sometimes I do all this crazy around my colleagues just so that they can tell their friends I did it.

But rather than talk about myself, just briefly, I want to just talk about my genre.

Stand-up comedy.

is an incredibly American genre.

I don't think any other country could produce this many comedians.

And unbeknownst to many people in this audience, I don't think there's opinion that it exists in this country that is not represented in a comedy club by somebody.

Each and every one of you has a champion in the room.

We watch you guys fight.

But when we're together, we talk it out.

I know comics that are very racist, and I watch them on stage, and everyone's laughing, and I'm like, that mother means that.

Don't get mad at them, don't hate them.

We go upstairs and have a beer, and sometimes I even appreciate the artistry that they paint their racist opinions with.

Man, it's not that serious.

The First Amendment is first for a reason.

The Second Amendment is just in case the first one doesn't work out.

We got to let some air out of the bowl, man.

The country's getting a little tight.

It doesn't feel like it's ever felt in my lifetime.

So tonight, I am honored that my colleagues are here in comedy.

and in music.

And I want everyone in America right now to look at me.