Comment by Dollhead on March 28, 2022 at 1:43am

Don't go on YouTube with all the idiots worried about Chris Rock and people saying, "it's not like she has something life-threatening like cancer" or men saying, "eveybody makes fun of bald men and I've been bald for X-number of years" and "she can just wear a wig!" Would I have rather he not punched him out in front of the whole world, especially as a POC who is constantly judged for every misstep? Yes, but keep in mind Chris rock made fun of a woman with a medical condition in front of the whole world. Mess with the bull, you get the horns. And Will did apologize for his actions when he won the award. Keep in mind that Chris Rock put HIMSELF in the position; he was RUDE and a BULLY and forced an issue that demanded a response. So he got what he deserved.

What Chris Rock did is the nightmare of every single one of us on here.

Comment by Fiona on March 28, 2022 at 2:31am

rj. Is Bullying ok by you?  What about the 12 year old who recently killed herself because of bullying?  What Chris Rock did was casual bullying!!  To be hugely publicly bullied like that was awful.  You can see that Jada tries to shrug it off but it is obvious how embarrassed she is.  Is that ok in your book?  No the violence was not ok but it was done under emotional stress.  Think about the bullies who might think twice now about swiping a wig off a 12 year old's head.  Maybe this is EXACTLY what was needed to tell them that this is NOT ok

Comment by rj, Co-founder on March 28, 2022 at 6:01am

Fiona, I'm going to ignore your absurd question about whether I condone bullying. More substantively, I'm the longtime spouse of an alopecic and adorable woman (Cheryl Carvery-Jones) whom I not only love and adore with my whole heart but for whom I'd also give my very life. However, it does NOT necessarily follow that I believe that violent retaliation is a proper response to every slight or offense that may come her or my way.

Indeed, I've taught and written somewhat extensively about the need for men, in particular, to build the kind of strength of character that makes them "strong enough in mind and spirit and secure enough in ourselves... to repay evil with good; to be insulted but insult not; to be angry and yet sin not; to dialog rather than dictate; to be deep enough to delight in diversity and enlightened enough to live and let live." Indeed, IMHO, "a man who can only resort to aggression isn't any more resourceful and redoubtable than an insecure ignoramus who attempts to use vituperation to cloak his vacuity and limited vocabulary." (See http://xyonline.net/content/measure-man for my full article entitled "The Measure of a Man.")

The moral principles outlined in the aforementioned article as well as my belief in PROPORTIONAL self-defense are the reasons I cannot condone Will Smith's actions, at all. Regardless of how insensitive or offensive one may think Chris Rock's ill-timed joke was, it did not merit a retaliatory physical assault by anyone, including Jada Pinkett's husband who she has been publicly clowning for years now. In fact, there's no worthwhile lesson here except, absent constructive conflict resolution, we are but fools toying with the most deleterious and destructive of outcomes. Assuredly, this is the real lesson that children, as well as children in grown folk's bodies, need to learn.

Comment by Jfpwatson on March 28, 2022 at 6:05am

I didn't think the joke was offensive enough to warrant physical violence.  It didn't come from a place of meanness.  It was actually a bit funny - considering Jada Smith is an awesome-looking woman and she wears her alopecia with toughness and confidence.  Grace Jones, who does not have alopecia, set the standard.  I wouldn't mess with either.  Jada obviously appeared uncomfortable though, so I feel bad about that.  Maybe if she had laughed (and her laugh was genuine), it would have sent a good message of strong self-esteem.

Comment by Dame on March 28, 2022 at 6:45am

I’ve had AA for 30+ years, before I started I kindergarten.  I wear a wig outside the house and outside my close circle no one knows.  I keep what hair I have left buzzed cut short. When I decide to tell someone new and I explain the condition and how I look without the wig, I always use the reference “I have a G.I.Jane haircut”. Why do I say that? Because that’s one of the few images the average public can relate to in seeing a strong, brave, independent, beautiful woman “with out” hair.  I understand for Jada she’s still coming to terms with her diagnosis but she can very well had own Chris Rock and his joke and tell everyone, “heck yea I deserve a role like that. I am a strong, brave, beautiful woman who already has the hair!”  I understand why she would be uncomfortable if she didn’t expect the joke. Chris should have run it by her in private, to ensure it was ok. What Will did, however, is the worst outcome.  As a female living with this—I don’t need a man to fight this battle of acceptance internally and externally, it’s mine to fight. Let alone fight it with violence.  Will and Jada should have regrouped and came back swinging with PR today that turned it into a publicly strong message about Alopecia. I feel that opportunity is gone now. 

Comment by Jade on March 28, 2022 at 7:33am

Invisible violence were the words of Chris Rock that would’ve gone un-noticed by all those people (most people) appalled by Will Smith’s actions. Will Smith is human and saw how humiliated Jada was for something beyond her control (something we can all relate to). Will understands how much strength it has taken Jada to be publicly brave and show up in the world to talk about Alopecia (we all know how extremely difficult that is). This whole thing that happened Thanks to Will, has brought attention and highlights the invisible struggle and medical disease that is often overlooked for not mattering to now something the world is talking about because of how Will decided to respond. So i hope people (especially us who can understand how extremely frustrating that AA doesn’t get the funding it needs or serious attention it deserves) can appreciate how things unfolded tonight. It does not condone violence, it is a learning opportunity for all involved and all that witnessed and now is engaging in conversation of why the events unfolded the way it did. Grateful.

Comment by Kenya on March 28, 2022 at 8:12am

When I first saw the encounter it brought me to tears. I thought to myself thats something my husband would do. While I can appreciate protecting your wife, it could have been handled better. Violence is never the answer. Educate the ignorant!!

Comment by Jade on March 28, 2022 at 8:16am

I hope these rich hollywood people will donate to a potential cure. This company has been trying to raise money to start Phase 2 clinical trails for an actual cure not bandaid solution like Jak inhibitor or other immune suppressants, instead they’re seeking to retrain the immune system. They’re not a pharmaceutical company so they don’t have the funding power to get off the ground quickly. AA needs funding https://www.startengine.com/throne-biotechnologies

Comment by Jennifer on March 28, 2022 at 8:30am

I really didn’t think it had anything to do with Alopecia. I thought he was just making fun of an old movie of hers. Did I miss something? Having Alopecia myself & my teenage daughter also- I’m usually sensitive when there is any kind of remark negativity toward Alopecia. Maybe I don’t know what the movie is they were referring to. Did that have something in regards to Alopecia?

Comment by Jennifer on March 28, 2022 at 8:31am

I really didn’t think it had anything to do with Alopecia. I thought he was just making fun of an old movie of hers. Did I miss something? Having Alopecia myself & my teenage daughter also- I’m usually sensitive when there is any kind of remark negativity toward Alopecia. Maybe I don’t know what the movie is they were referring to. Did that have something in regards to Alopecia?

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