Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: Smith's slapping reinforces stereotypes about black people

Will Smith's slapping of Chris Rock during the Oscars has sparked mixed reactions, with some members of the public supporting Smith and praising him for defending his wife, while others have mocked the superstar's behavior.

Regarding this matter, NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar wrote a commentary: "Will Smith Did a Bad, Bad Thing", criticizing Smith's behavior and believing that his approach to Chris Rock contributed to people's stereotypes about black people.

"What he did was not just slapping Rock in the face, it also had the effect of inciting violence, degrading women, insulting the entertainment industry, and deepening stereotypes about the black community." Jabbar believes that "this act also gives white supremacists another opportunity to smear us."

Abdul-Jabbar wrote that Smith harmed the black community, "One of the main arguments of those who support racism is 'black = violence', and they portray black people as more prone to violence and less able to control their emotions. Smith provides these people with the 'perfect' picture they dream of, satisfying their desire to watch." In this way, many people will use this to continue marginalizing African Americans and others through voter suppression campaigns.

“The damage to showbiz is also great, and Smith’s violence is also a hidden threat to all comedians, who now have to worry that a sharp or insulting joke may be met with violence.”

In addition, Jabbar believes that Smith's protection of his wife through violence actually reinforces people's stereotypes about women and has the opposite effect of suppressing such ideas. "By slapping Locke, Smith declared that his wife was incapable of defending herself against words."

"This condescending, fatherly attitude treats women like children, turning them into helpless damsels in need of a strong man to defend their honor. If he was truly doing this for his wife, and not to prove himself, he might have thought that the negative attention it brought them was much harsher than a good-natured joke."

Will Smith and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1994