Summary

The article expresses gratitude towards Chris Rock for his composure during an unexpected incident at the Oscars, while critiquing Will Smith's subsequent actions.

Abstract

The author of the article commends Chris Rock for his restraint and grace following an altercation with Will Smith at the Oscars. Rock's decision not to press charges and to de-escalate the situation is highlighted as an act of character and self-control. In contrast, the article scrutinizes Will Smith's behavior, suggesting that his actions were indicative of deeper personal issues and a lack of accountability, particularly noting his post-incident partying and delayed apology. The author argues that Smith's assault on Rock was not an act of chivalry but rather a response to his own insecurities and public mocking about his personal life. The piece concludes with a call for those close to Smith to not excuse his behavior and for the public to refrain from blaming Rock for the incident.

Opinions

Chris Rock is praised for his restraint and decision not to file charges, demonstrating self-control and character.
Will Smith's actions at the Oscars are seen as a manifestation of personal insecurities and a need for professional help rather than genuine defense of his wife.
Smith's post-incident behavior, including partying and a delayed apology, is considered unacceptable and indicative of a lack of remorse.
The author rejects the notion that Smith's actions were chivalrous, emphasizing that verbal insults do not justify physical violence.
There is a concern that Smith's behavior is part of a pattern, referencing past rumors of unpleasant behavior and recent public incidents.
The article calls for Smith's loved ones to hold him accountable and for the public not to blame Rock for the

Thank You, Chris Rock

…for remembering who you are.

I want to start with a message I think needs to be said about Chris Rock and then move onto the problem.

Chris Rock showed himself to be a man of character.

Not because he agreed not to file charges.

Not because he was decent enough to try to de-escalate an obviously distraught Will Smith.

I appreciate Chris Rock because when things went down he didn’t give in to his baser instinct and react, when he was justified in doing so.

We all have that basic instinct to respond when attacked. Chris Rock kept his in check and allowed his brain to decide how to handle things and that is what we all aspire to do. Everyone knows, self-control is much more difficult than reacting in the moment.

Some people think it’s hard to be disrespected and then have to smile at the dis-respecter.

You know what’s hard? Having some thin-skinned man attack you and then handle yourself with grace anyway.

Chris Rock has every right to file charges even though I read that he won’t.

I want people to stop applauding him for not doing what he has every right to do. It’s his decision how he wants to handle this. He should be supported no matter what he wants to do.

Now, on to the problem.

We all saw Will Smith’s meltdown.

Prior to this event, over the past year and a half, I’d already been thinking Will Smith’s heavy over-sharing was sign that he was going through some things and probably would be better served with professional help than purging all his personal business to the world. And then, the Oscars.

I think what I found most unacceptable was the clip of Will Smith partying afterwards. I don’t know about other people but even when I hurt someone by accident I feel badly about it.

It took too long for him to apologize to Chris Rock. And the latest is that the Oscars asked him to leave and he refused to. How do you refuse to leave the Oscars? How do you get asked to leave after you’ve assaulted someone?

People need to stop pretending this behavior was chivalrous. Chris Rock wasn’t a danger. We all suffer indignities. We’ve all been insulted and had to smile through the humiliation. And “…love makes you do stupid things” in relation to attacking someone is way too close to the type of remark an abuser makes when they tell you they had to hit you because they love you so much.

I don’t believe Will Smith did what he did for his wife, I think he did what he did because he’s spent well over a year feeling insecure and uncomfortable with the mocking he’s taken about his open marriage. His manhood’s been questioned and Chris Rock paid the price.

Because here’s the thing … he could have used his words. Just like he hurled expletives at Chris from his seat afterwards, he could have hurled them instead of hitting him. He could have used his speech to give Chris Rock a piece of his mind. He could have done a whole Red Table Talk with Jada about how out of line Chris Rock was.

He’s a grown man. He could have used his brain and his words like everyone else in life who does what they need to do. He could have done any number of things if defending his wife was truly his purpose.

But he did what men do when their manhood is questioned. He hit somebody. And then instead of immediately apologizing he went out and partied. And I lost all respect for him because of it.

I’ve always had a soft spot for Will Smith. I just wrote an article referencing him about a month ago. I grew up with him, after all.

Over the years, I heard rumors about how unpleasant he’s been to other people. I hoped those were just rumors and gossip. Now I’m starting to believe them.

I hope everyone around him who loves him stops excusing this type of behavior. I hope the public will stop blaming Chris Rock for doing what comedians do.