Will Smith’s violent outburst at the Oscars, according to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, helps spread “stereotypes about the Black community.”
The 94th Annual Academy Awards, an event dedicated to honoring the year’s best films, was unfortunately outshined by Will Smith bulldozing the stage and smacking Chris Rock in rebuttal to a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Pinkett Smith’s short hair, which is the consequence of an autoimmune disease known as alopecia, was mocked in the joke. Rock’s contentious joke and Smith’s retaliation have sparked a public discussion over when humor crosses the line and whether Smith’s actions were justified, with a slew of celebrities chiming in on both sides.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Wrote A Well-Thought Out Tweet
Now, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has joined the chorus of critics of Smith’s activities, which he says contribute to the perpetuation of “stereotypes about the Black community.” Will Smith did a bad, bad thing, according to a Substack essay headlined “Will Smith Did a Bad, Bad Thing.” Smith’s angry outburst “advocated violence, devalued women, and disrespected the entertainment business,” according to Smith. Abdul-Jabbar continued by criticizing Smith for failing to fulfill his job as a role model for young Black guys. He points out how critics who try to portray Smith as a “superhero-like guardian” aggravate the problem, making people who look up to him “far more prone to follow in his immature footsteps.”
This, according to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, is demonstrated by Jaden Smith‘s response to the slap, in which he simply tweeted “And That’s How We Do It,” expressing his support for his father.
While many have justified Smith as a kind husband defending his wife, Abdul-Jabbar believes his actions were “also a smack to women,” because his violent response indicates Pinkett Smith is incapable of defending herself against words. In other words, Abdul-piece Jabbar’s is a vehement denunciation of Smith’s conduct as well as those who try to excuse them. Abdul-statement Jabbar’s is one of the most well-thought-out, complete with numerous relevant arguments, of all the celebrity comments to the Oscars slap thus far, many of which have been hasty and dismissive.
