
Netflix has reportedly suspended three employees who crashed an executive meeting in protest of Dave Chapelle'sThe Closer.
According to the Verge, senior software engineer Terra Field and two others were put on leave following the incident, which was in response to the controversial comedian's latest stand-up special featuring jokes that "attacks the trans community, and the very validity of transness," as Field tweeted last Wednesday,
"All while trying to pit us against other marginalized groups," she said, before listing a number of trans and gender nonconforming people killed this past year and adding, "You're going to hear a lot of talk about 'offense.' We are not offended."
On the heels of her viral post, ongoing employee discussion about commentary vs. transphobia and the resignation of another trans employee, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos sent out an internal email on Friday. In a copy of the memo obtained by the publication, Sarandos said that the comedy special would remain on the platform, even though "some talent may join third parties in asking us to remove the show in the coming days, which we are not going to do."
"It never feels good when people are hurting, especially our colleagues," he wrote, later saying that Netflix was committed to inclusion and ensuring that "more people see their lives reflected on screen and that under-represented communities are not defined by the single story," citing titles like Sex Education and Disclosure. He also continued the memo by arguing that within stand-up comedy in particular, "artistic freedom is obviously a very different standard of speech."
"[Chappelle's] last special, Sticks & Stones, also controversial, is our most watched, stickiest, and most award winning stand-up special to date," Sarandos went on to say. "As with our other talent, we work hard to support their creative freedom — even though this means there will always be content on Netflix some people believe is harmful."
He added, "We don't allow titles on Netflix that are designed to incite hate or violence, and we don't believe The Closer crosses that line. I recognize, however, that distinguishing between commentary and harm is hard, especially with stand-up comedy which exists to push boundaries."
Following reports of Field's suspension, a company spokesman denied speculation that it was the result of her tweets, stating, "Our employees are encouraged to disagree openly and we support their right to do so."
Field has yet to respond to any requests for comment. However, you can see a few of her tweets below.
I work at @netflix. Yesterday we launched another Chappelle special where he attacks the trans community, and the very validity of transness - all while trying to pit us against other marginalized groups. You're going to hear a lot of talk about "offense".
— Terra Field (@RainofTerra) October 7, 2021
We are not offended 🧵
The problem is that people are responding to something we never said. We aren't complaining about "being offended" and we don't have "thin skin". You try going to a pharmacy and having them call you "sir" in front of everyone while you pick up your estradiol. "Thin skin" 🙄
— Terra Field (@RainofTerra) October 7, 2021
Promoting TERF ideology (which is what we did by giving it a platform yesterday) directly harms trans people, it is not some neutral act. This is not an argument with two sides. It is an argument with trans people who want to be alive and people who don't want us to be.
— Terra Field (@RainofTerra) October 7, 2021
So who does this harm? Why don't we go over the list of some people from the US who aren't offended by Dave Chappelle's special.
— Terra Field (@RainofTerra) October 7, 2021
Photo via Getty / Lionel Bonaventure / AFP
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