The Slap Heard Around The World

Out of boredom, waiting for glue to dry so I could stain a repaired tray, I turned on the TV to watch part of the Oscar spectacle around 9:30 pm Sunday night. I haven’t watched the Hollywood spectacle for years and I quickly regret my decision to tune in.

I watched it live when Will Smith attacked Chris Rock and at first, I thought it was a stunt, a joke for itself, but quickly I understood this was not the case. There were no words, the TV channel I was watching blogged Mr. Smith pottymouth out -which I appreciated.

What do I think about it, you wonder?

Idiotic behavior, an embarrassment for the industry. It is a sign that some who say they serve as role models for young people now model violent behavior.

I wish Chris Rock would press charges.

What angers me the most is what message it sends to the kids who are watching this. “Hey, go to school tomorrow and it’s ok if you turn to violence if you don’t like what the other person is saying?”

Today I watched it again because it was literally everywhere online. I wanted to see the BEFORE. After watching it, I don’t think Mr. Smith was defending his wife. He laughed first, only when he looked over at his wife and realized she was mad, did he get up and slapped Chris Rock. Does that mean Will Smith was defending HIMSELF?

What’s wrong with Mrs. Smith anyway? Can’t she defend herself? Isn’t she the one who asked all colored people to boycott the Oscar? So she is not timid or shy and can speak up?

A comedian made a joke (nothing unheard of in Hollywood because that’s what comedians do) and Will Smith got violent. Afterward, his colleagues gave him a standing ovation for his Oscar speech. It was brilliantly created but also truly scary. He tried to turn his violence into something noble. His tears and his comparisons to a real person who he was portraying seemed like manipulations to justify his actions.

The reaction of the audience when Will Smith, in tears, accepted the Oscar, is what really got to me. CNN reported today “The Academy leadership strongly considered removing Will Smith from last night’s broadcast following the incident. There were immediate discussions, but the Academy decision-makers were seated in various spots in the Dolby Theatre and couldn’t decide before he won the best actor.”

For heaven’s sake could someone please give these dinosaurs a smartphone and explain to them how texting works? It’s not rocket science.

Well, now, that they’ve come to their sense, mainly because of the uproar today that forced them to react, how about taking back the award, pressing charges, and banning Mr. Smith from the industry? Too harsh, you think?

What would they do to me?

Why was there no security? Why wasn’t he arrested? Why is nobody pressing charges? Is it because Mr. Smith won an Oscar? Or because he is black? Or because he is rich?

Does that mean he is better than we are? No, he is not.

I bet it would take about three seconds and security would arrest any ordinary citizen who would attack a comedian or any other person working on or off stage.

Chris Rock was entitled to practice his craft without fear of intimidation. His joke seemed mild-manners and appropriate to an audience of experienced Hollywood insiders. Mr. Smith should face consequences for his actions including withdrawal of the Oscar, banned from future ceremonies, and criminal and civil charges for the assault. Otherwise, Hollywood is setting the stage for ever more outrageous stunts of this type.

We complain about violence on the streets of America and bullying in the classroom. Now the world can see where young people get their ideas. While the privileged in Hollywood were patting themselves on the back for honoring people of color, the deaf, transgender people, gays, and Ukraine, they couldn’t resist honoring violence when they gave Mr. Smith a standing ovation.

Why oh why did I watch part of the Oscars? I should have gone to bed.

Chris Rock reacted professionally. I hope I will someday reach Chris Rock’s level of composure.

Personally, I don’t like comments about anyone’s physical appearance but we all had to deal with it at one point in our life. But, was Chris Rock’s actual joke intended to be degrading? GI Jane is after all a story about a barrier-breaking woman if I am not totally mistaken.

Tomorrow I will have to apologize to my husband. I will assure him I will make no more jokes about his receding hairline or the fact that he is a little bit bald in the back. I will be quiet until he tells me otherwise, which won’t take long, because he makes fun of it himself.