I often write on subjects that I find triggering or emotive and I totally hold my hands up and confess that this topic really has me riled up. Not just because of the event itself, but because of people’s reactions and also people’s reactions to people’s reactions.
But I should probably begin by outlining the event itself, just in case you’ve been living under a boulder and haven’t heard.
During the Oscar awards ceremony of 2022, an assault occurred live on air, committed by Will Smith against Chris Rock who was presenting. And make no mistake, it was a criminal act, even though some have sought to downplay it by saying it was just a slap.
I quote San Mateo County District Attorney Stephen Wagstaffe as cited in the San Francisco Chronicle, who stated that, considering the circumstances, ‘a jury would never convict (Smith) for the action.’ Nonetheless, he stated, on a law school examination, ‘the student had better conclude that this constitutes a misdemeanor battery.’
Additionally, a statement from the LAPD confirms the criminality of the act by saying its investigative staff ‘are aware of an incident between two individuals during the Academy Awards program, in which one person slapped another. The victim declined to file a police report.’
‘The victim.’
‘Misdemeanor battery.’
So it’s NOT just a slap. It’s not JUST anything.
But let’s consider the excuses presented for his behaviour and the context.
Chris Rock is a well known comedian. He has a reputation for observational comedy, black comedy, sketch comedy, insult comedy, sarcasm and satire. This is his job. This is how he supports his wife and kids, just as Will supports his wife and kids through his job. People like his work enough to enable him to make a living. Enough for him to be invited to present the Oscars. Were they expecting him to suddenly change a working model that has proven so popular and be all fluffy and PC just to please those few whose egos couldn’t handle it? It’s his job to make jokes – sometimes at other people’s expense. Ricky Gervais has done the same – many comedians have. And the Oscars are known for presenters taking the rip out of celebrities.
But what was the joke?
It was a mere one sentence long and it went like this…
‘Jada, I love you. GI Jane 2, can’t wait to see it,’ Chris Rock quipped, in an apparent reference to the actor’s shaved head.
Yes, Jada had her head shaved, as a result of her alopecia condition, it is claimed.
But really. We are human, we are programmed to notice differences in appearance; to notice physical attributes, like big breasts, being very tall, being ginger, having only one hand. Of course she was going to stand out. Especially since she appears quite defiant about her shaved head. She says she loves it.
And let’s face it, comparing her to GI Jane? Is that a terrible insult? Well I know I’d be very flattered. It’s a movie about female strength and determination and of course, Demi is beautiful.
It is obvious that both Jada and Will’s reactions were very different initially. She rolls her eyes and he laughs his ass off. And I suspect right there is the reason for his sudden mood shift. Deflection. He genuinely found it funny and then realised Jada didn’t and he was going to wind up in the dog house if he didn’t do something to deflect. And boy did he deflect.
This apparently cuckolded man (by their own public admission), swaggered up and slapped a comedian around the face, to save face. He was in full blown Alpha mode. Not the good type either – the insecure type that has to piss all over his territory and beat his chest.
‘Look at me. What a big man I am defending my poor helpless little woman, Big Willy style!’
Defender of women he is not. The one in three women who have experienced domestic violence do not need to hear or see on national television that striking someone who says things you find disagreeable is ok. Nor do the one in four men who experience domestic abuse or the children suffering similar or worse treatment. He of all people should know this, as a person who grew up in a household where domestic violence was the norm.
And what about the impact upon those who face bullying? How do they see this? Or those who engage in bullying? We have Will Smith now, a worldwide celebrity, demonstrating to the world that it’s ok to slap people about if they annoy you. And gosh, let’s not forget that it was soon forgotten and the man received a standing ovation from Hollywood’s finest, not to mention a much coveted award.
I have seen much on social media about this. Many comments. Some saying he was right to hit him for insulting his wife. And some claim it is simply much ado about nothing. Those comments worry me most of all. If you cannot see that this event will impact other people and worse still don’t care, you’re in trouble as a human being. It is not just a squabble between two celebrities and nor is it merely a good man defending his wife. It is about celebrities holding themselves up for adoration, holding influence and misusing it. It happens all too often. This man as of yet has been allowed to get away with this behaviour. People fawned over him in the after parties and he lapped it up like some sycophant king. There was no shame there. Only narcissism. In actual fact he and his family seemed to revel in giddy glory at what he had done.
Three hours later he boasts, ‘You can’t invite people from Philly or Baltimore nowhere!!’
I’m sure the people of Philly and Baltimore are so proud of that comment!
Then his son Jaden brags to his eight million followers, ‘That’s how we do it!’
Is it really? Well you’ve sure been raised wrong then haven’t you. Most of us don’t go around slapping people. Assaulting people isn’t ok. Reinforcing racial stereotypes isn’t ok. Reinforcing the misogynistic stereotype that women need a male to protect them is not ok. Minimising violence isn’t ok. Triggering people across the globe who face violence every day isn’t ok. And ultimately, setting a horrific example for people who look up to you is not ok.
What is ok, is progression. Learning. Discussion. Resolution. The taking of responsibility and the acceptance of penalization, which I hope is forthcoming especially in Will Smith’s case.
A lot of people suffered as a result of his actions on that day and probably will continue to do so. Lifetime achievements went by barely noticed, black people and men felt dismay, he bought his profession into disrepute, abused and bullied people everywhere were triggered, impressionable people will reap the consequences of emulating his behaviour and worst of all, Chris was assaulted and got to witness that person being praised to high heaven, facing no repercussions. This is not a good message.
Even in a world gone mad, a slap is not just a slap to most of us, if the intent behind it is malice. It’s time we started to question who we hold up as celebrities and why. We live in a world where, greed, violence, beauty and wealth get you everywhere and if you don’t have that, you’re nothing.
It’s time to change the rules.
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