Cari Champion & Jemele Hill Catch Hell For Asking “Is It Racist To Knock A Black Man Out?”

Cari Champion and Jemele Hill often take a boundary-pushing, no holds barred approach to their commentary on their Vice show, Cari & Jemele (Won’t) Stick To Sports. And while most times their unapologetic approach is met with hand claps and praise hands, this time folks think they may have gone too far.

In the last few years, the two women have really cemented themselves as much more than sports journalist. Their active voices in social justice and beyond are the reason many appreciate their candor … but with that comes controversy. This time, it’s an off-color question aimed at Youtuber Jake Paul who recently KO’d NBA star Nate Robinson in a boxing match.

YouTuber and boxer Jake Paul was asked in a recent interview if it was "racist" that he knocked out his black opponent in a boxing match.

"We've gotta wake you up, you've gotta be part of this conversation."

What fresh hell is this? pic.twitter.com/sv1Jtny8tK

— Sydney Watson (@SydneyLWatson) December 8, 2020

Just as Jake called it a shi!!y question, many on Twitter felt it was cringe-worthy to say the least — and flat out ignorant to say the most.

It's a shitty question because its a sport and they are making it about race instead. wtf does race have anything to do with it?

— Adam Crigler (@AdamCrigler) December 8, 2020

This question is actually disgusting. And the fact that they continue to ask and insist he get woke is beyond belief.

If I were him, I would have wrapped up the interview.

— David Hof (@swisstexas) December 8, 2020

WTF kinda question is that! I don't like jake,but enough of that B.S.
It's boxing! You have a winner and a loser period!
Just when I thought 2020 threw everything at us! That's 2020's dumbest question of the year! And that in itself says alot! Vice is better than that! SMH pic.twitter.com/nFEwrIvyuN

— Coach DAD🇨🇦🇺🇸 (@RichP222) December 8, 2020

However, there were some who felt it was said in jest and that folks couldn’t take the obvious joke.

Wasn’t it a joke? From the way the other woman was acting it seemed like a joke, this clip is taken out of context.

— Formula 1st (@1stFormula) December 8, 2020

I think she’s just making a joke, like it’s not a big deal as the replies are making it.

They just trying to be like Desus and Mero or The Breakfast Club by being provocative for ratings and it’s working. pic.twitter.com/Y1I1XK9S91

— ✨ (@nickitellem) December 8, 2020

So, do you think it was a joke or real? Well, for those who aren’t sure, how about a little context! Cari and Jemele both tweeted the FULL interview showing that the comment had been blown out of proportion and that they knew exactly what they were doing — trolling a troll!

Y’all, @jemelehill and I were trolling a troll with permission. This wasn’t an interview with weight. It was sarcastic- y’all need context? Bc if y’all can’t hear the laughing, the bad WiFi connection- smh. So for the outraged! For more context Thurs. at 1130pm on @VICETV 👀. pic.twitter.com/qwIAk2nuUT

— Cari Champion (@CariChampion) December 9, 2020