Chris Rock’s Netflix Special Stirs Controversy Among Progressives

What’s happening: Chris Rock’s comedy special, Selective Outrage, was streamed live on Netflix last Saturday. Throughout the special, Rock ripped on the current woke culture and addressed the now-infamous slap from Will Smith at last year’s Oscars.

What did Rock say, exactly? Rock shared his opinion about Meghan Markle, stating that what she experienced from the British royal family was not racism, but “in-law shit.” Rock also slammed the increasing number of people trying to claim a narrative of victimhood, saying “Everyone is trying to be the victim, including people who know goddamn well they’re not victims.” He also acknowledged that while he favors the right to abortion, he said, “Let’s not get it twisted. It is killing a baby.”

What are Rock’s critics saying? Rock’s commentary has upset several leftist online figures. A professor at Carnegie Mellon, who describes herself as an “antiracist,” tweeted that “Will Smith was right to slap [Rock].” Despite some backlash, the special resonated with many: It broke into Netflix’s top 10 most-viewed shows in the U.S.