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Will Smith was in the wrong
3 years ago
General
Someone I follow here on FA shared their opinion about the Will Smith-Chris Rock slapping incident in a journal:
WARNING: Unpopular opinion ahead! You've been warned.
While I don't condone Smith's actions, for certain he could've handled things better, but, for fuck's sake, it was just a slap! People be acting like the man up and beat the shit outta Rock. Chris Rock has always had a sharp mouth, and I'm surprised it hasn't gotten him slapped, before. His joke was below the belt and he got what he deserved, for it. Smith has since apologised for his actions, twice, clearly showing remorse.
What has Rock's response been? Silence.
Once again, the instigator gets off scott free.
Now what to unpack? A slap is still assault (some have even claimed Will acted in "self-defense") and, given the rawness of the moment, Will's behavior was unpredictable to Chris. Also to say the latter "got what he deserved" and defend the former's actions are to reinforce toxic masculinity. Chris has responded and even then he's still processing the situation. I don't need to say the author of that journal is framing Chris as the villain, but what consequences would the Academy really impose on him compared to Will's potential for suspension or expulsion? Risk-taking is central to comedy and Jada's condition unbeknown to Chris only raised the risk.
As for Will's acceptance speech, there were red flags from his self-aggrandizing to using domestic abuser lingo (i.e., "love makes you do crazy things"). In fact, he was given short of six minutes to speak onstage after he assaulted Chris, whereas VFX artists and other crew members who dare protest unfair working conditions in the industry have their mics cut instantly.
WARNING: Unpopular opinion ahead! You've been warned.
While I don't condone Smith's actions, for certain he could've handled things better, but, for fuck's sake, it was just a slap! People be acting like the man up and beat the shit outta Rock. Chris Rock has always had a sharp mouth, and I'm surprised it hasn't gotten him slapped, before. His joke was below the belt and he got what he deserved, for it. Smith has since apologised for his actions, twice, clearly showing remorse.
What has Rock's response been? Silence.
Once again, the instigator gets off scott free.
Now what to unpack? A slap is still assault (some have even claimed Will acted in "self-defense") and, given the rawness of the moment, Will's behavior was unpredictable to Chris. Also to say the latter "got what he deserved" and defend the former's actions are to reinforce toxic masculinity. Chris has responded and even then he's still processing the situation. I don't need to say the author of that journal is framing Chris as the villain, but what consequences would the Academy really impose on him compared to Will's potential for suspension or expulsion? Risk-taking is central to comedy and Jada's condition unbeknown to Chris only raised the risk.
As for Will's acceptance speech, there were red flags from his self-aggrandizing to using domestic abuser lingo (i.e., "love makes you do crazy things"). In fact, he was given short of six minutes to speak onstage after he assaulted Chris, whereas VFX artists and other crew members who dare protest unfair working conditions in the industry have their mics cut instantly.
academy awards every year has less audience.
Many comedians that did dark humor reacted in negative way as seth mcfarlane and jim carrey