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Poor
Daily Meditation 715–2/11/2024
Very recently, a YouTube short of Dave Chappelle unintentionally played over my headphones at the gym.
It went along the lines of this:
“I like to make jokes towards other people based on things we got in common. Poor white people, well, we didn’t have much money growin’ up. I remember being freezin’ cold. Damn — I hated it. My dad kept the house so cold. I’d be like ‘Dad, can’t we like turn it up a few degrees to something better, like just 32 or somethin’?’”
Dave then deepened his voice to mimic his father, “No, David. Just put some more clothes on.”
Continuing, Dave said “I got my 3 outfits on already!” He paused for a laugh, before finishing:
“I’d then say — not at my father, but loud enough for him to overhear, ‘I hate being poor!’”
“My dad would grab me by the shoulders and say ‘David, never say ‘I’m poor.’ Poor is a mindset. You aren’t poor. you’ve got so much more than so many others.”
“You aren’t poor. You’re broke.”
Obviously the crowd burst out laughing. I did too, almost dropping my barbell. There were a handful of N-words sprinkled in it, as well, so use your imagination.
But, his father had a great point, even if it ultimately lead to a punchline for this joke:
