As the fallout from Chris Rockโs Netflix special โSelective Outrageโ continues, the discourse makes more and more interesting turns. Celebrities are embroiled over differing opinions over whether words are just โjokesโ or if comedians should be held accountable for what they say.
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We saw the same kind of dialogue swirling following Dave Chappelleโs 2021 special, The Closer, which was deemed controversial almost immediately due to his insensitive words about trans people. And seeing as conservatives are literally working to get rid of that extremely vulnerable population, we need to acknowledge that words have influence and power.
A 2016 report from The Hollywood Reporter showed that โSelective Outrageโ was part of a $40 million deal he made with Netflix; it called for two separate stand-up specials. In addition, it comes five years after Rockโs first Netflix comedy show entitled โChris Rock: Tamborine.โ
So the streaming giant paid him that much money to make colorism jokes, repeatedly call Black people out of their name (especially Black women) and say that liberals have gone too far when it comes to fighting for equality and inclusion? If a non-Black comedian used the same material, de-platforming them wouldnโt even be a question. Rock should be held to the same standard.
When he ended last weekendโs setโwhich was the first live streamed event in the history of Netflixโhe said that the reason he didnโt hit Smith back after he joked about Jada Pinkett-Smith is because he was raised to not fight in front of white people. But as many people pointed out on social media, he deems it acceptable to humiliate Black women in front of white people.
Ultimately, Rockโand the places that air his โhumorโโ need to be called out. One user on TikTok, @jordxn.simon, eloquently noted how disturbing it is that Rock believes โit is ok to make fun of Black people, specifically Black women, specifically Black sick women, in front of white people and the Oscars co-signed it and celebrities co-signed it and a lot of yโall are co-signing it.โ
However, despite the criticism and backlash Chappelle received, he has gone on to win several awardsโincluding a Grammy for The Closerโand host โSaturday Night Live.โ We are aware that Rock probably wonโt face any consequences for what he has said but itโs wrong to stay silent about its impact.
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