Charles Barkley compliments and insults Black women with a $1 million pledge. pic.twitter.com/7GKXRh2sFp — Billy Michael Honor (@BillyMHonor) December 15, 2017

Charles Barkley announced he would donate $1 million to Black women in Alabama Thursday night, but not before telling them how they could invest the funds. Barkley made the announcement after noting how Black women came out in droves to elect Doug Jones as the first Alabama Democrat to the Senate in more than 25 years.

“I’m pledging $1 million to Black women in Alabama to do start-ups,” he says Thursday, Dec. 14 on TNT’s “NBA Tip-Off.” “That do [sic] not mean hair salons and restaurants, Black women. That means start-ups.”

While Shaquille O’Neal began cracking up, co-panelist Kenny Smith questioned why Barkley made an “under-handed, backhand joke.”

“We’re not gon’ do a weave shop,” the Alabama native continues, “We’re going to do IT. IT. That doesn’t mean ‘it’ either.”

Smith finally told Barkley to “leave it alone” as the Auburn University alum continued to take digs at Black women.

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As it turns out, many women (and some men) sided with Smith more than Barkley when it came to his so-called joke.

Charles Barkley talked down on Lavar, the ppl in St Louis that were marching and now black women. He's a full blown COON and been one — 🦄 (@MizzCreme) December 15, 2017

Charles Barkley is a dickhead. “I’m going to pledge 1 million to black women startups in Alabama, but I don’t mean restaurants and weave shops, black women” — Smoothie Bae (@CoachPSays) December 15, 2017

Thanks for the advice, Charles. Now here, have a snack. pic.twitter.com/84UJtKDcX7 — Thembi Duncan (@ThembiDuncan) December 15, 2017

SMH at Charles Barkley pledging "1 million dollars for Black women to start IT start ups" but follows it up w/ "that doesnt mean restaurants and hair salons" — Bryant Mumble (@Jam_Brandon) December 15, 2017

Others praised the Hall of Famer’s donation.

Charles Barkley funding 1mil to black women IT business startups? that’s dope — Kevo (@Kevo3k) December 15, 2017

Charles Barkley Just pledge $1million to Black women in ALABAMA to start IT startups! #BlackWomen — Quadry Ola (@QuadryOla28) December 15, 2017

And some didn’t think what he said was an issue.

It was HILARIOUS. Glad he said it. We LOVE hair salons smh lol — 👑Madame CJ👑 (@TheRealMissJude) December 15, 2017

That shit was funny though. 🤷🏾‍♂️ — Nigzo Amore (@VegasZay) December 15, 2017

Or you guys can not be so sensitive and realize it’s a joke? — ❌at ❌utlu (@mutlu_mat) December 15, 2017