Jada Pinkett-Smith Gets Into A War of Words With Baltimore’s Mayor Over Animal Rights

Have you ever been overcome with the urge to j-sette and finger wag in the presence of someone else throwing shade? That’s what happened to me after reading the following news blurb over at Rhymes With Snitch.

Baltimore native Jada Pinkett-Smith reached out to Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake to protect Ringling Bros. elephants by upholding the city’s ban on the use of bullhooks when the circus rolls into town.

“Unlike me and other actors, elephants do not choose to perform. These endangered elephants will soon be in your jurisdiction,” writes Pinkett-Smith. “My friends at PETA and I join animal advocates across the state in asking for your leadership in holding Ringling accountable and requiring the circus to comply with Baltimore’s absolute prohibition of the use of devices such as bullhooks.”

But,  Steph is Ray Charles to the bullhooks — and Jada. She didn’t even bother to respond to Pinkett-Smith’s letter (that was strike one), telling a local news station, “We’ve reached out about homelessness, about school issues. I would have loved to gotten some feedback, support or concern about those issues that are very pressing to the city.” That was strike two.

Rawlings-Blake then added that she has enjoyed visiting the circus since her childhood. That shit was strike three.

Leena James’ aunt, Karen Evans, cried foul and shot back at the mayor on her niece’s behalf.

News traveled fast, and Friday, the Will and Jada Smith Foundation fired back another letter saying, in part “Your (Rawlings-Blake’s) response to her (Pinkett Smith’s) letter was disturbing, irresponsible, inflammatory and inaccurate.”

It goes on to list the Baltimore charities the foundation has supported and ends by saying, “Jada is a proud Baltimorean who has generously given back to her hometown.”

So far, there has been no response from the mayor. (source)

Rawlings-Blake’s sudden hush mouth should be interpreted as the following: Queens shouldn’t swing if you know what I mean, but I’m about to take my earrings off and get me some Vaseline.