Shock jock
Howard Stern decided that he would continue to make his money by attempting to punch out the shine of Will Smith and his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
In a recent segment of his radio show, Stern went out of his way to throw some pretty nasty jokes at the Smith family, focusing primarily on their recent interview with Oprah Winfrey. Apparently, the Smith family financial success is too much for Howard, as he worked hard to make the family into a joke.
Stern focused on Jada's admission that she and Will have a "marriage business plan" and seemed to argue that the Smiths pretend to have a perfect marriage and family. He even accused Oprah of "kissing their asses," and agreeing with everything they say.
The most interesting attack on the Smith family by Stern was issued when Will described his relationship with Jada by saying, "I do what she say." Stern accused Smith of trying to sound ignorant in order to relate to a hip-hop audience. Of course, Stern's sidekick, Robin, co-signed on everything he said. That seems to be her only job, and she does it quite well.
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Will and Jada Fashion Transformation
At the 2002 MTV Movie Awards, the couple appears to have gone even more Hollywood. Jada is beginning to show those buff arms that she is now known for. Will is looking fabulous in white.
Frank Micelotta, ImageDirect / Getty Images
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Will and Jada Fashion Transformation
During the run of 'The Fresh Prince of Bel Air' from 1990-1996, Will stuck with his happy hip hop style. As a member of the rap duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, Smith won a Grammy Award in 1989 for the hit song, 'Parents Just Don't Understand.' For a long time, Will stuck with the look got him into the limelight.
Will and Jada Fashion Transformation
Will and Jada married in 1997. You can see the '90s style clearly outlined in Will's suit, which could be placed in a time capsule epitomizing black men's fashion for the era. Jada on the other hand looks like what she was -- a gorgeous girl from Baltimore who was just beginning to make it big.
Will and Jada Fashion Transformation
Jada, Will and Will's son from a previous relationship, Willard Christopher Smith, III (a.k.a. Trey), made up their happy family for a time. I am feeling the family love here, but not the matching army outfits. Maybe this was for a kids' outing? A military children's affair? Who knows. It ain't working.
Will and Jada Fashion Transformation
Will's wackiness began to wear off on Jada very quickly after they tied the knot. I am not sure if they meant to dress up like dancers from Janet Jackson's video for 'Rhythm Nation,' but that is the effect. It was the '90s. This passed for high style then.
Will and Jada Fashion Transformation
Where do I start? Will looks so cute here, so fresh, so young, that I almost cannot hate. I yearn NOT to point out the absurd color of this jacket and the gender-bending braids. At this point in his career, he should have hired a stylist. This was the year 2000, for goodness sake! When would Will transform into the hot leading man the world loves so well?
Will and Jada Fashion Transformation
Then, by the second year of the new century, Will and Jada finally made the transition to dressing like Hollywood royalty, instead of people from the hood made good. At the 74th Annual Academy Awards in 2002, Smith looks fresh and clean from head-to-toe. Pinkett Smith is as elegant as a grande dame.
Will and Jada Fashion Transformation
At the 2002 MTV Movie Awards, the couple appears to have gone even more Hollywood. Jada is beginning to show those buff arms that she is now known for. Will is looking fabulous in white.
Will and Jada Fashion Transformation
Does the family that parties together, stay together? Well, maybe in Hollywood they do. With the birth of Will and Jada's second child Willow Camille Reign Smith in 2000, red carpet appearances and movie premieres for the whole gang became the norm. Here, the whole fam gets coordinated for a night on the town. Nice job, Mom!
Will and Jada Fashion Transformation
Back in 2004, Will and Jada stole a kiss while on location at a film shoot in New York. Jada is just wearing jeans, but look at that weave go! Even when keeping it casual, this very public couple has finally learned to keep it glam.
Will and Jada Fashion Transformation
While the Smiths are a happy Hollywood couple with a blessed family, each member of this team makes time for outside activities. Will enjoys a good game of golf in his spare time in high sporty style. He kicked it at the Sony Open at the Waialae Country Club in Hawaii in 2005 -- without a hair out of place.
Will and Jada Fashion Transformation
With regard to Howard Stern's attack on Jada Pinkett Smith and her husband, I am not sure if it was called for. The Smith family is one of the most beloved families in the African American community, serving as symbols of hope and prosperity for a community that is dying to see a healthy black family in action. Our airwaves are riddled with stories of women like Keyshia Cole, who have family members fighting drug addictions, or Chili from TLC, the beautiful single black woman who swears she can't even find a good boyfriend.
Most African Americans, in my opinion, are fully aware of the fact that the Smiths are likely not as perfect as they appear to be. Rumors of infidelity fly across the Internet, and I can only imagine that neither Will nor Jada is always the perfect spouse. But they are the second tier of Barack and Michelle Obama, which is why people love them so much.
Stern is correct to remind us that Oprah Winfrey, a woman who has never raised children of her own, might not be the best person to approve another couple's child-rearing. But for some reason, the world listens to Oprah and admires her more than nearly any other celebrity on the planet. Also, unlike Stern, Winfrey succeeds with positive energy instead of negative; you don't see her attacking others on her show, and she doesn't even respond to critics.
It may be our fault for putting Winfrey and the Smiths on pedestals, but the truth is that they are our great American heroes, and Howard Stern won't get brownie points from anyone by attacking such a cherished couple -- especially for being prosperous and handling their business.
Yes, Howard, we know much of the Smiths' Hollywood image isn't real; thanks for pointing out the obvious.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and a Scholarship in Action resident of the Institute for Black Public Policy. To have Dr. Boyce's commentary delivered to your e-mail, please click here. 
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Comments: (64)
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By: Charlotte Smith on 7/02/2010 7:06AM
Howard Stern should put his white hood back on and go home. I really don't think anyone in their right mind or with any real intellect cares what he says. He is an idiot.
C. Smith
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By: Willie C. on 7/01/2010 4:01PM
AMEN! You are so right.
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By: bababooey on 7/01/2010 7:15PM
You do know that Howard is Jewish? I wan't aware that Jews had gained membership into the KKK. In fact, the KKK maintains that Jews are the devil, blacks are just stupid animals. I think you should do some research before you make wholly ignorant accusations.
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By: Observer on 6/29/2010 3:08AM
Why would you even bother responding to Howard Stern? He is called a "Shock Jock" for a reason, obviously he is going to say things to provoke, that's what he does. Will, Jada and Oprah are hardly the first people he has criticized and definitely not the last. Are you more angry because he talked about black people?
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By: Denise on 6/30/2010 10:10PM
Howard Stern is just getting even with the black kids who kicked his ass in high school. He was a nerd that hung out with the pocket protector squad and hung on every word of the math teacher. He's still a nerd but with a black chick who represents the one in high school that would not give him the time of day. Isn't funny that she's a yes girl? This is the only time a black woman will say yes to Howard Stern. It's all about the Benjamins.
Roosevelt High- class of 70 .
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By: JoAnne on 6/29/2010 6:45AM
Didn't your mother ever teach you not to repeat negative things that other people say, then you become just as bad as the accuser (in this case Howard)? Who in the hell cares what Howard Stern's opinion is? He has a radio show what do you expect? Your naivete astounds me that you even have a blog/column. Just like an a##hole, everyone has an opinion. Dr. Whoeveryouare report on information that is relevant and important to the communtiy, not some sticks and stones shiggity and certainly not some damned celebrity fodder!
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By: Willie C. on 7/01/2010 4:00PM
Let me guess. You are really Howard Stern using a pseudonym right?
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By: JoAnen on 6/29/2010 6:53AM
P.S. You expressed that Stern's comments may not be called for - you are truly naive. When have you ever heard anyone preceding their criticisms with quantifiable theory that counts? Remember this word: OPINION Go back to school Dr.
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By: Willie C. on 7/01/2010 4:00PM
You can't fool me. I know it's you Robin Quivers. Stop defending your Massa and keep being the sweet ignorant little house slave.
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By: Eugene on 6/29/2010 7:50AM
Howard Stern is no longer relevant in radio or in life in general. Period.
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