Kanye Fans Are Sharing An Old Chappelle Interview

In light of Kanye West's hospitalization on Monday, a memorable Dave Chappelle interview from a decade ago is making the rounds again. The comedian sat down with James Lipton on Inside The Actors Studio in December 2005 (the episode aired the following February) after Chappelle had left his show, a move that many people called "crazy." Fans sharing the video Tuesday on Twitter couldn't help but connect the dots between Chappelle's experience and interview with Lipton with the names West has been called lately due to some of his actions at recent concerts and his recent hospitalization for exhaustion, as his rep confirmed to the New York Times .

The interview in its entirety is eye-opening, but the particular segment striking a chord is one in which Chappelle talks first about Martin Lawrence, a friend and role model of Chappelle's, and then about Hollywood in general and the harm in calling someone "crazy." Chappelle said at the time,

"So what is happening in Hollywood? Nobody knows. The worst thing to call somebody is 'crazy.' It’s dismissive. 'I don’t understand this person, so they’re crazy.' It’s bullsh*t. Because people are not crazy. They’re strong people. Maybe the environment is a little sick."

West, who canceled the remainder of his Saint Pablo tour on Monday and later that day was hospitalized, has often bore the brunt of the "crazy" accusations. Even now, some are accusing him of acting out for publicity or attention or cruelly mocking him. Luckily, there are more compassionate fans who have started the hashtag #PrayForKanye, where many are turning the negativity into a discussion about mental illness and the importance of empathy for those struggling. That said, it is important that fans not armchair diagnose a celebrity when that's not the public's place; West's rep has only confirmed he is in the hospital for exhaustion.

Still, Chappelle's words are relevant to Ye's situation. The cult of celebrity breeds a toxic environment, and when celebrities act "erratically" often the public's first reaction is malice or mockery. No matter what is going on with West, it is dangerous to dismiss him as crazy.