George Floyd Family Slams Kevin Hart Roast Joke

Netflix’s “The Roast of Kevin Hart” recently aired, and it certainly lived up to the controversial reputation of roast comedy. The event was packed with high-shock-value jokes, and one particular remark about George Floyd’s death has drawn sharp criticism, including from Floyd’s own family.

A Joke That Crossed the Line

During the roast, comedian Tony Hinchcliffe delivered a joke that played on Floyd’s final words. He stated, “The Black community is so proud of you… right now George Floyd is looking up at us all, laughing so hard he can’t breathe.” This punchline, referencing the tragic manner of Floyd’s murder, immediately ignited backlash.

Kevin Hart himself was seen laughing throughout the roast, which also included jokes about sensitive topics like suicide, infidelity, and abortion. While some defend the tradition of roast comedy as a space for unfiltered humor, the reaction to Hinchcliffe’s joke has been overwhelmingly negative from many quarters.

Reactions and Condemnations

Activist Tamika Mallory voiced her strong disapproval on Instagram, calling the joke “disgusting” and emphasizing that there is “literally NOTHING funny about how George Floyd was murdered.” She expressed concern that such humor normalizes disrespect towards severe attacks on rights, stating, “Some of us are deeply scarred by what happened to #GeorgeFloyd. It’s NEVER funny to us EVER!”

Comedian Franchesca Ramsey addressed the controversy on Threads, pointing out the hypocrisy of comedians who claim “nothing is off limits” yet get defensive when their jokes offend. She argued that offensive material has a specific audience, and those outside of it have the right to dislike it without being accused of “ruining comedy.”

The George Floyd Family’s Statement

The family of George Floyd has also weighed in. Travis Cains, a spokesperson for The Gianna and George Floyd Foundation, told TMZ that Hart’s apparent condoning of the joke was “sad for the culture.” The family highlighted that Hinchcliffe has a history of making jokes at Floyd’s expense and questioned why such material was permitted.

They explained the profound impact these jokes have, particularly on Floyd’s daughter, Gianna, who has faced bullying at school due to the continued public mockery of her father’s violent death. The family stressed their commitment to positive community rebuilding, contrasting it with what they described as inappropriate humor from certain comedians.

Defending the Roast Format

Some participants defended the nature of roast comedy. Sheryl Underwood stated that “true roast comedy is not for mainstream domain” and suggested it can be a way to “talk about the issues with humor.” Kevin Hart himself defended the jokes in a social media video, calling them “hard-hitting, relentless jokes of no consequence” and emphasizing that “you go hard or you go home.”