Why Are Jokes Always At The Expense Of Black Women?
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-wears-black-suit-jacket-photography-818819/

Why Are Jokes Always At The Expense Of Black Women?

Last night’s 94th Academy Awards have set social media ablaze. In what was probably the most memorable moment of the night, Will Smith struck Chris Rock after Rock made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s haircut. Pinkett Smith has been rocking a shaved head as of late and has been open about her struggles with alopecia. Alopecia is a disease where the body attacks its hair follicles, leading to hair loss. Alopecia can be particularly challenging for Black people because of the cultural significance of hair within the Black community. Black women and femmes often feel like they have to adhere to societal standards of beauty, which means hair that more closely mimics white standards of beauty. Black women have gone to great lengths to contort their hair in ways that society sees as socially acceptable, even if it impacts their health and safety. Within the Black community, chemical straighteners like relaxers are still popular. Relaxers “relax” the hair by changing the hair texture but have been linked to negative health outcomes. A 25-year study found that hair relaxers led to an increased risk of breast cancer. Black women who don’t have the loose curls or silky textures that are seen as professional and acceptable in society have to navigate texturism , which is one of the many forms of anti-blackness. Even with legislation like the Crown Act , which protects against race-based hair discrimination , Black people, and Black women and femmes specifically, have a complicated and complex relationship with their hair. The irony of the situation was that Chris Rock is the person behind the 2009 documentary Good Hair. The documentary centers on the significance of hair within Black culture. The film explored the hair hierarchy and how Black people with more coarse and kinky hair textures are not deemed as having “good hair”. As a person who deeply understands the relationship and trauma that Black women and girls experience when it comes to their hair, Rock’s joke came off as out of touch and insensitive to the very issues he was highlighting in his 2009 documentary.

It is important to note the history between Will Smith and Chris Rock. In 2016, Jada Pinkett Smith was one of the most vocal celebrities about the lack of diversity among the Oscar nominees. That same year, Rock hosted the Oscars and joked about both the #Oscarssowhite controversy and Pinkett Smith not being invited to the Oscars. When reflecting on the incident between Smith and Rock, some on social media have used words like “extreme,” “excessive” and “violent” to describe Smith’s reaction. Some may say it was “just a joke” but why are jokes always at the expense of Black women? America’s favorite public sport is berating Black women; it has become social currency. There is a long history of Black women and femmes being dishonored, disrespected, denigrated, and degraded, especially within Hollywood. Misogynoir and the media go hand in hand. Years after rapper Megan Thee Stallion shared her experience of being shot in the foot, many still question the veracity of her claims with some saying she is lying about the incident. There is a general lack of compassion, care or concern for what she must have been experiencing dealing with her injury while also grieving the loss of her mother and grandmother , who both passed away within a few weeks of each other. Earlier this month, director Jane Campion slighted Venus and Serena Williams during her award speech at the Critics Choice Awards. Campion remarked “Venus and Serena, you’re such marvels…however, you don’t play against the guys, like I have to.” Many were confused as to why Venus and Serena’s names had been brought up during Campion’s acceptance speech, which had little to do with the tennis superstars but again, the world has a nasty habit of always feeling the need to put Black women in their place—especially the Black women that society has deemed as the pinnacle of Black excellence. One of the most blatant and obvious displays of this was what the world witnessed during the Supreme Court confirmation hearings of Ketanji Brown Jackson. Despite the fact that Brown Jackson is highly accomplished and credentialed (more so than her counterparts) critics have questioned her capabilities. Several U.S. presidents have gone to Ivy League institutions through nepotism and have earned mediocre grades yet they have not experienced the same levels of scrutiny as Brown Jackson and others like her and it’s very obvious as to why that is.

Some have pointed out the hypocrisy of the public; there is anger towards Rock because of the jokes he made towards Pinkett Smith and yet when the trans community called out Dave Chappelle for transphobic jokes made during his Netflix comedy special, the publics’ reaction was that they were “only jokes” and that jokes cannot cause harm. There is a segment of the population that believes that although Smith was justified in his anger, he shouldn’t have behaved that way in front of “mixed company.” Many of us are socialized to believe that there is no time and place for Black anger or emotion, especially not in front of non-Black people. By saying that Will Smith shouldn’t have reacted that way because of how he will be perceived by the largely white audience is the perpetuation of the white gaze . We must understand that respectability will not and has not saved Black people. This article is not an interrogation of violence, when, where, or if it is appropriate to use, or the like. This article is more so an invitation to consider why Black women always have to be the butt of every joke. Black women’s pain, trauma, and anger is never taken seriously. If anything, this incident should ask us to ponder why it is so easy to disregard and discard Black women, especially those on the margins who do not fit the model of what we think Black womanhood is. An important thought to reflect on was perfectly encapsulated in an Instagram post caption written by social worker and mental health therapist Megan Torres. Torres quoted a Facebook user by the name angryblackhoemo who said “I shudder to think of the backlash had Jada been a dark-skinned Black woman. If it’s this much collective shock and awe at a thin, light skinned very rich beautiful woman being protected from ableist garbage, colorism and [fatphobia] would impact the narrative (negatively) even more.” The popular declaration that we must “protect Black women” always comes with an addendum. Until we are actually willing to protect all Black women, liberation will never be a reality.

This article was originally published in Forbes.

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The Pink Elephant newsletter is a weekly LinkedIn newsletter designed to stimulate critical and relevant dialogue that centers around topics of race and racial equity. The newsletter is curated by Janice Gassam Asare, Ph.D . who is a writer, speaker, consultant, educator, and self-proclaimed foodie. Janice is the host of the Dirty Diversity podcast, where she explores diversity, equity and inclusion in more detail. Dr. Janice’s work is centered around the dismantling of oppressive systems while amplifying the voices and needs of the most marginalized folks. If you are seeking guidance and consultation around diversity, equity, and inclusion in your workplace, visit the website to learn more about services that can be tailored to your specific needs. If you enjoyed this newsletter, please share with others you feel would gain value from it. Lastly, if you’d like to get free tips on diversity, equity, and inclusion, sign up for Dr.Janice’s free newsletter through her website .

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Jewell S

Heavy Civil-Preconstruction / Owner of Horse Around A-Town (Guided Trail Rides, Parties, & Events) | I don’t have all the answers. I don't claim to. Let’s find solutions together & not be divisive or derogatory.

1 年

This was such a great read. Very glad to have stumbled across your profile on LI.

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Shirley Shirley Drumin

Community Health Worker at Contra Costa County Health Services

2 年

Wonderful Reading! Black Women are running this country in so many ways and some how we are look at with no respect. What will it take? Jesus coming through the great clouds of joy.

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Tangela Sells, M.Ed.

Irene Marie Sells Foundation

2 年

Thanks for sharing this article!

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June Johnson

3x Founder | Model + EIC

2 年

Thank you. Also, something I see hardly being mentioned is Chris Rock's CONTINUOUS harassment of Jada, which has actually been going on for decades - since she rejected him. This aspect highlights the danger women face when saying no to men who expect to have their way. Here's the link for reference: https://twitter.com/thetwerkinggirl/status/1509860708195966976

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