#SOL22 Something to Talk About Day 28 of 31

3/28/2022

So......I didn't watch the Oscars, but apparently there was something to talk about!

When I saw the news this morning, I was so confused. Will Smith slapped Chris Rock in the middle of the live Academy Awards? Then went on to win and receive an Oscar?

I've always liked Will Smith in as much as I knew about him. I was glad to see him go from a rapper to a tv star to a movie star. Now an Academy Award winner. But I was really troubled by the fact that he walked onto the stage, slapped Chris Rock, cursed at him, sauntered off like the cat who ate the canary, and that isn't considered wrong?

I understand he was upset about a joke Chris Rock that was maybe in bad taste. But what precedent does this set- someone says something you don't like, and you are allowed to go off and smack them? (Can you imagine presidential debates if this was allowed?) I feel like there was a world of options for Will Smith to express his dislike of the joke in appropriate channels.

However, on social media, it's like a different world. Reading people's comments about the incident and their defense of Will Smith is puzzling to me. How can we defend violence like that?

Aren't some things just wrong? Asking for a friend. :)

5 Comments

Tracy Brosch link

3/28/2022 04:47:53 pm

Need to watch the clip! It is the talk of the town. Unsure. Should we question inappropriate jokes in our society more than the inappropriate reactions?

Celia Fisher

3/28/2022 05:30:44 pm

I agree, I have absolutely nothing against the guy but what he did was just so wrong. I seriously think they should consider removing the Oscar from him. If they don't, it sets a precedent that these guys can do whatever they like, but they are in the limelight and should be role models for society.
It makes the token gesture of silence for what is happening in Ukraine a little farcical. Violence begets violence.

mrssurridge link

3/28/2022 06:15:14 pm

I totally agree with you. It was such a surprising reaction from someone who says he is called to love others that our jaws are still hanging open. So very sad. I hope he isn't held up as a role model in that incident.

Brian Rozinsky

3/28/2022 08:18:10 pm

Will Smith (and Chris Rock) *did* give the world something to talk about. Turns out even A-listers can suddenly find themselves caught up in an escalating playground spat.

Glenda M. Funk

3/28/2022 08:47:19 pm

I didn’t watch the Oscars either but did catch up on the slap. That joke was an act of violence against Jada Pinkett Smith, and after years and years of violence masquerading as joking, I understand why Will Smith snapped. He reached a limit to the abuse he’s witnessed his wife endure. Hollywood is a cesspool of gossip and backstabbing. I suspect there’s a backstory we don’t know. I’m not defending hitting someone and wish Smith hadn’t, but I’m not going to say “poor Chris Rock” when he’s been masquerading as a comedian to hide being a Hollywood bully who thinks it’s funny to “joke” about a woman’s painful medical problems.

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