Charles Barkley Pledges $1 Million To Black Women In Alabama For Startups, But Said That Doesn't Mean 'Restaurants And Hair Salons'
A whopping 98 percent of Black women in Alabama voted for Doug Jones, making sure that he defeated Roy Moore in the state's Senate race Tuesday night.
And so, last night on TNT's Inside the NBA, Charles Barkley, who campaigned on behalf of Jones, wanted to salute Black women in his home state for getting the job done. He did just that with a big live announcement.
"I am pledging $1 million to Black women in Alabama to start I.T. startups," Barkley said. "Right now."
But the NBA Hall of Famer couldn't leave it at just that, making sure to insert a distasteful joke soon thereafter.
"I'm going to pick the companies," Barkley continued. "Black women really came out and supported Doug Jones. So, I'm pledging $1 million to Black women to do startups. That does not mean hair salons and restaurants, Black women."
Shaquille O'Neal immediately erupted into laughter, while Kenny Smith asked Chuck "Why did you have to do an underhanded, backhanded joke?"
Twitter immediately agreed with Smith, shaking their heads at Barkley following up a great gesture with a lame joke. Check out these reactions.
Here's Charles Barkley announcing his $1 million pledge and then serving up his attempt at a joke
Bruh ...
These perfectly placed emojis aptly describe how people felt to hear Chuck follow his pledge announcement with that joke
Perfectly placed emojis.
Twitter collectively shook its head in disgust
Be better, Chuck.
These women weren't amused at all
You did this to yourself.
This woman explained why Black women in alabama don't need Barkley's money
Talk to 'em!
And then there's this food for thought ...
Shaking our heads.
And about Barkley putting down Black women who run salons and restaurants ...
Boom.
Barkley's Pledge followed by his attempt at a joke had everyone on Twitter looking at the hall of famer like ...
This dude ... come on, Charles.
