Jada Pinkett Smith, Chris Rock, and why his hair joke was so problematic

Some say the mocking puts on display the challenges and discrimination Black women face in a society with euro-centric beauty standards, and experts feel the “joke” stung worse coming from Rock – a Black man, a father to Black daughters and the producer of “Good Hair,” which chronicles the journey of Black hair.

“I didn’t see it as a joke,” says Dija Ayodele, a skincare expert and author of “Black Skin: The Definitive Skincare Guide,” who called Rock’s words “very offensive.” “I’m really disappointed in Chris Rock for using someone in the Black community who we all love, who has a medical condition, as a joke… I didn’t think it was an acceptable line to go down at all.”…

Dr. Caroline Robinson, dermatologist and founder of Tone Dermatology, says she didn’t find Rock’s comment funny at all.

“As a dermatologist who sees and treats alopecia daily, I know that this can be a very emotional experience, especially for Black women. I do not think the topic of Black women’s hair has any place in a comedy routine, especially by someone like Chris Rock who’s seen the impact of our relationship to our hair first hand in his ‘Good Hair’ documentary.”