A Must Watch Conversation Between Maya Angelou and Dave Chappelle
Wow. That’s what I said after watching the conversation between Dr. Maya Angelou and Dave Chappelle. It’s from an episode of Sundance Channel’s Iconoclasts, where they spent a day together in her home in Winston-Salem. I’ve never seen it until today and I am floored by the poignant, insightful, and really important moment they had.
This was in 2006, after Dave Chappelle walked away from his show and $50 million contract with Comedy Central.
Maya Angelou asks him what made him walk and the conversation evolves into talking about the icons we know and living through the 60s. The end, though. The end is a gem.
Watch this, because you will understand why Dave walked away and watch it because you will want to soak it all up. It is so worth it.
This is a gold mine. It was rice and stew for my soul. And that ending…
“You should be angry. You must not be bitter. Bitterness is like cancer. It eats upon the host. It doesn’t do anything to the object of its displeasure. So use that anger. You write it. You paint it. You dance it. You march it. You vote it. You do everything about it. You talk it. Never stop talking it.” – Maya Angelou
That was a gift to watch. And Maya’s life was a gift to us. We are the legacy so we better pick up the torch.
My tribute post to her – Maya Angelou: Rise in Power After Living in Purpose.
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27 Comments
I saw this episode, and I love this show. It is pure greatness.
Beautiful! So many gems here. I loved what she had to say about the danger of making someone out to be larger than life and about being angry but not bitter.
I recall Janet Jackson talking about being on set of Poetic Justice and how Dr. Angelou had a powerful moment with Tupac. She reported that Tupac was in tears by the end of their conversation.
This is such a wonderful video…thank you for posting! Rest in peace Maya Angelou.
Saw this episode when it was first aired it is a great episode and I think Dave was def in awe the entire time. Does this series still broadcast ( got rid of the cable at least 3 years ago)? They did a great job matching folks together and this made for interesting viewing.
It’s actually called Winston-Salem. Thanks for posting this too. Iconoclasts stopped airing in 2006 after six seasons. Not sure if they will bring it back or not but they should. Especially when it affords us moments like this one.
Please watch the whole thing. It’s beautiful!
I just got my life within this 9 minutes and 47 seconds….I thank God for Dr Angelou. Rest in peace, dear Queen.
Thank you. That was powerful.
I remember seeing this last year on the Sundance Channel. I was in awe then, and I’m in awe now. This woman meant so much.
UGH, the FEELS right now! :’-(
Damn near the Gospel.
This has got me shedding real thug tears and I don’t give a fuck. Especially in light of the actions of a misogynistic racist and the vocal support he’s received, it gets tiresome to be a woman, a person of color, and a woman of color in this world. But, she endured so much with grace and each indignity was just fuel on a righteous fire. We have to fight in her name and to honor the nourishment she provided us for so many years. No number of memorials, regardless of form, can adequately and properly honor her, only rising up and staying up will. We have to find our courage, which she pronounced to be the greatest virtue, so that no threat, act of violence, injustice, or bullying by the powerful will go unchecked. Take to the streets, take up the pen, take people to task, take up space they say isn’t ours, take rights they say we aren’t entitled to, take up your spot at the table, but don’t take it anymore because we owe her that much.
*runs off sobbing*
Oh wow. Thank you for sharing this! I’d never seen it.
Thank you for sharing Luvie, this was like a private session of artists musing!
Hi,
Has the video been taken down? Can’t see it, doesn’t load. Would love to view it.
Thanks
Thank you so much for sharing this! What a rich addition to public dialog this is, and such delicate, beautiful moments between the two artists.
True wisdom from Maya Angelou. And Dave Chappelle — I never heard his own explanation for leaving Comedy Central before. He makes perfect sense, and I have renewed respect for him. Thank you for posting this great conversation.
I just saw the episode a few days ago. Awesome!!! It’s available on Comcast Xfinity on-demand until 6/30/14. It’s S2 Ep5
Can’t stop crying. Hit me in a space that hasn’t been touched in a while. Never saw this before. LOVE.
Powerful I enjoyed it
Thank you Jah Rastafari for the gift of your beloved dawta, Maya Angelou. Reading your words I felt the intentions of love. I am grateful to have had eyes to read her words.
*sigh* Thank you Luvvie and God Bless
You are growing, Luvvie. You DO have insight to the African American experience, after all. Never play small and never pretend to be ignorant. The African American experience is, simply put, the human experience and any human can relate. Mother Maya IS the African American experience. Yet she belongs to the whole world. Her books literally saved my sanity as a young black girl in America, surrounded by nothing affirming me when I needed affirming. Maya’s books affirmed me. When I was 20 years old, she breathed life into my broken spirit. But I know she’s done that for men and women of all races, creeds, colors, nationalities. Simply put, I love her. And that’s not hard to understand no matter where in the world you where born.
[…] Must Watch Convo Between Maya Angelou + Dave Chappelle […]
This show is wow. Thanks for sharing
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