Dave Chappelle on free speech, the purpose of comedy and the weaponization of jokes

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Dave Chappelle, the provocative comedian and architect of Chappelle’s Show, is one of the biggest names in comedy. Now in arguably the most successful chapter of his life and career, he views himself as not just an entertainer -- but as a professional processor of events and experiences. He describes comedians as 'the nation's kidney' -- an essential organ for processing the raw experiences of life.Chappelle believes that function is one shared by comics and journalists -- they both process events and help audiences make sense of the world. That conviction is why he recently invested $15 million into the infrastructure of WYSO, the public radio station in his hometown of Yellow Springs, Ohio.In this episode of NPR’s Newsmakers, he tells host Michel Martin why free speech is so important to him, and why he refuses to let public expectations dictate his art.NPR's Newsmakers is where you'll find NPR's biggest interviews. We post new episodes as soon as they're available -- any day of the week. Follow the show wherever you listen or watch on NPR’s YouTube channel.Newsmakers relies on supporters who value independent journalism and a free press. Join NPR+ today to support our work and get perks from the podcasts you trust. Go to plus.npr.org.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy