Don’t Care Too Much About Money (Part 3)

Photo by Ivan Aleksic on Unsplash 

Dave Chappelle’s $50 million decision –Logical or Crazy?

In the last article, we looked at Dave Chappelle’s shocking decision. A shocking decision to walk away from $50,000,000.00!!! Then catching a plane to South Africa when it was easily in his power to just get the mad money. (I know a part of you is in tears thinking about his decision lol!)

Granted, his decision seems crazy –and possibly even foolish. But before we jump to that conclusion, let’s look at Chappelle’s reasons for arriving at his decision. For his part, at the time, Chappelle is stated to have needed a quiet place to think and reflect deeply. He is also reported to have felt overwhelmed by his then newly found fame. He is further reported to have been frustrated by the audience of his stand-up comedy no longer looking at and treating him like a human being who has feelings –as well as the fact that his inner circle (possibly his friends or close acquaintances) had changed once he started making money. Chappelle also felt he couldn’t trust anybody –and couldn’t even trust his own material.

Are You with Me or Against Me?

An analysis of his decision to leave the money behind additionally hints that Chappelle at one point may have been racially abused. The abuse is said to have come from a crew member who seemed to be laughing at him and not along with him during a particular scene in his show where Chappelle had to wear the infamous “blackface.”

Dave Chappelle is also reported to have arrived at his decision to walk away from the deal because he wanted to “check his intentions” and make sure he was doing the show for the right reasons. He is reported to have used the time he walked away from the deal to focus on his kids, his family, and having a healthy relationship with them. This was something he could not do if he was touring all his life.

The Grand Conclusion

All in all, the final analysis after considering all factors is that Dave Chappelle’s conscience, dignity, self-respect, and love for his family wouldn’t let him take the deal. Yup, the man clearly had great love for his family and great respect for himself as a person –as well as for his work. To this day, Dave Chappelle is one of the few people who continues to do art his way –regardless of pressure for political correctness –or condemnation for language and ideas that are considered inappropriate.

Photo by Florian Schmetz on Unsplash

The Verdict

Now looking at Dave Chappelle’s reasons for not accepting the $50,000,000.00 deal, let me pose a question to you. Let’s say you were the one in Dave Chappelle’s shoes. Would you have taken the money even though it did not sit well with your conscience? And even though it would have resulted in you feeling dehumanized and suffering frustrations from a crazy level of fame? And even though it would have meant tolerating a level of abuse because of your race? …What would you have done?

Please leave a comment and let me know what decision you would have made in that position. And why you would have made that decision.

Plot Twist!

P.S Just so you know…Dave Chappelle came back after some years and got a better outcome than the $50,000,000. He did it on his terms -and without losing any personal dignity or being disrespected. In fact, not only did he find the money still waiting for him… He also found his loyal fans hungry for more of his work -and everybody had renewed respect for him. Of course, he is quite a controversial figure today (a common trait of great artists). But he is also worth $60,000,000.00!

Yup! Man got the cake back with a cherry on top!

It’s been fun. Please catch me in the next article for more exciting topics and fun reading.

Looking forward to your comments

References

https://medium.com/vulnerable-man/why-did-dave-chappelle-quit-his-show-and-walk-away-from-50-million-2f39d8b5a466

https://www.celebritynetworth.com/richest-celebrities/richest-comedians/dave-chappelle-net-worth/