“But She Started It!”: Rock responds to the Slap in New Netflix special

Almost a year following the highly publicized ‘Slap Heard ‘Round the World’ where world renowned actor and artist Will Smith confronted comedian Chris Rock on the Oscar stage, the comedian unleashed on the actor and his wife in his latest standup routine that aired on Netflix previously this month. Touching on many topics relating to modern popular culture such as the black and trans community, the highlight of the special in the eyes of many was the words that Rock reserved for the Rock family.

In the midst of controversy centered around Jada Pinkett Smith’s alleged affair with R&B star August Alsina, the comedian made a bevy of jokes at last years Oscar’s at the expense of the Smith family matriarch. Rock had previously made similar comments denigrating black women in regards to their hair in specials such as Good Hair in which he critiqued the popularization of non-Eurocentric beauty standards. Pinkett-Smith has suffered from alopecia, a disease that causes hair loss in both men and women.

Following the initial slap at last years Oscar’s, Rock had opted in large part to stay silent as the world reacted to the controversy surrounding him. During the special however, Rock made the case that of all the people that the Smith patriarch should be mad at, it should be the ones associated with the initial swearing of his name, namely Alsina and Jada Pinkett Smith.

Referring to the Smith matriarch as a “b****” in multiple instances, source : tvline the standup special saw the comic attacking Smith for addressing their bad blood in public forums. The comment that sparked outrage amongst many within the black community however was when Rock said that they shouldn’t fight “in front of white people.”

“How can you talk about fighting in front of white people when you’re cussing out a black woman in front of person but when I dress up I definitely pop out.” of white people,” said Morgan Taly, a sophomore from Houma, Louisiana in critique of Rock’s comments.

People think fashion can only go in one way, but in reality, It can go in many different directions and still be equally beautiful. In this generation we are so stuck on the clothes and designers we see on Instagram celebrities like Jayda Cheves, Ariana Fletcher, Dess Dior, and etc. which is all fine and great but it’s time we start having a little more diversity.

Additionally, Rock made comparisons between currently Incarcerated R&B star R. Kelly and Michael Jackson, evoking the namesake of the show by labeling the dynamic as ‘Selective Outrage’. The one important differentiator in the aforementioned case was that Jackson was never convicted of any crime, yet alone that of the caliber of Kelly’s documented pedophillia. “Same crime, one of them just has better songs,” said Rock in regard to his take on the comparison between the two during their standup.

While public opinion is still split between whether Rock or Smith was justified in the initial controversy, this month’s standup by Rock saw many of his supporters in previous instances become critics in their own right. Regardless of who was right in the situation between two men however, the general consensus is that calling a black woman out of her name in front of the same majority white audience that he claimed shouldn’t witness us fight is nothing short of ironic. “She started it. I finished it,” said the comic during the standup.

INFLUENCE from page 8

KINGSIZED from page 8 process, their timing of when to post content, and if they met any goals they had set. Overall the panelists said that they were primarily interested in creating content because it was fun and a way to put themselves out there. They also said that when it comes to timing and setting goals, it is all in God’s hands.

The pageant was described by Alyssa Nunn, a junior, majoring in nursing from Hattiesburg, Mississippi. “I felt the pageant was very cute and gave our big boys a chance to hold the spotlight. Things got a little crazy, but overall I think this trend should definitely keep going. Our big boys need love too,” Nunn stated.

Macy Vessel, said, «I never really set any goals for myself to begin with because I would be stressed out trying to make my goal, so I just walk in faith and give it to God.»

Shortly after a brief intermission, each contestant dressed in style and charm for the first category date night. Contestants strutted across the stage with their escorts showing off their fashion taste. Next was late-night, where the guys could grab the audience’s attention by displaying their sex appeal. The crowd went wild from the frenetic cheers and screams; everyone was astonished by the contestants’ charisma.

As the contestants prepared for their Talent category, the audience was overjoyed to have Code Blue perform a stomp-and-shake routine. The atmosphere was euphoric as the crowd cheered them on. Soon, each contestant came out and displayed different talents, from dancing to singing.

The pageant was illustrated by Gabrielle Anderson, a freshman majoring in Business Administration from Dallas,Texas.“The pageant was very interesting to watch. Throughout the show, it was nice to see everyone so hyped and coming together for one event. I loved how for intermission we got to dance line dances while we waited. The show itself was a lot to take in but at the same time I liked it,” Anderson stated. The lights slowly dimmed, and all six contestants appeared on stage. Judges asked each contestant specific questions based on individuality during the final category of the pageant. After the judges contemplated hearing the contestants’ answers, the crowd screamed about who they thought should win. The judges return the verdict as a tie between Contestnat 3, Rick Johnson, and Contestnat 6, Cherson Paul. To break the deadlock, judges ask one more final question to each contestant. When the judges determined a winner, the crowd was still in uproar between both contestants. Finally, the hosts announced contestant number 6, Cherson Paul, as the winner. He shouted joyfully as he was crowned the first ever 20232024 Mr. King Size.

It was a night to remember for those who attended the first ever Mr. King Size pageant presented by the Southern University’s Residential Life & Housing department.