The Slap Heard Round the World!
My thoughts on the skirmish that took place at the 94th Academy Awards
By now, you’ve seen the video of Will Smith bitch-slapping Chris Rock at the Academy Awards.
The moment was must-see TV and set the internet and social media on fire.
Chris Rock, who was one of the hosts of the Oscars, went a little too far with his comedic performance when he made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s hair.
Will, who felt like he needed to defend his wife, strutted right up to the stage in a room full of Hollywood’s biggest stars to slap Rock before calmly returning to his seat.
Jada Pinkett Smith deals with alopecia, which has caused her to lose hair. It has been reported that Chris Rock was unaware of her condition at the time of the joke.
Either way, it wasn’t a good look for 2 black men to be engaged in violence like that. However, Will Smith defended his wife admirably.
He did what he felt was necessary at the moment. Now I’m not condoning violence of any kind. Will was in the wrong.
Though, an important lesson can be learned here. Don’t talk about someone’s family without expecting consequences. This philosophy applies whether you are out in the streets or inside a public venue, like the Oscars.
Let’s be honest, if you were at a bar and a man disrespected another man’s wife, things would probably end up violent. Again, not excusing the behavior, but it is reality.
Will Smith was wrong for slapping Chris Rock, but I understand why he did it.
And for those of you who claim to be offended and have vowed to never watch another Will Smith movie, stop it. You’re embarrassing yourself.
We’ve all seen much worse from actors/actresses/athletes/politicians etc.
Move on with your life. You will be just fine.
Finally, the biggest question I take from this situation is how would I react in Will’s position? This topic goes deeper than hearing harmful words from a comedian.
What about in your world? Would you feel responsible to take up for your wife/mother/daughter if offensive words were being said to them? It makes you think.
Will Smith was lucky that he wasn’t criminally charged for the slap, but if he had to do it all over again, I doubt he would change a thing.
