Ever since Monday morning, I’ve been flooded with thoughts and opinions specifically regarding Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars. Initially after seeing the video of what happened, I felt empathy towards Will Smith. As I would like to think I would defend my wife’s honor no matter what.
Being a church boy, oftentimes preachers will proudly boast on the beauty and value of their wives. I’ve heard so many lengthy rants, where preachers who say what they would do to someone if this or that were to happen to their wife and children. Some even attempt to redefine clear Christian values (such as being forgiving, kind, peaceable, etc.), intentionally trying to justify their hypothetical boasts for whatever reason.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also...
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Matthew 5:38-39, 43-44)
After receiving more clarity on everything regarding Will and Jada’s reaction to Chris’ joke, my perspective on it has changed, even though my feelings remain the same.
Jada is not a victim.
Chris’s joke regarding G.I. Jane wasn’t the initiating factor in all of this. Jada’s response to the joke is what provoked Will to act as he did. Yes, I’m sure everyone is sorry about Jada losing her hair. Yet, she showed no sorrow nor concern for Chris after Will slapped him in his face, as she laughed… despite everyone knowing Chris suffered from bullying most of his childhood. So, what does that say about her?
Will is not some honorable husband.
If Dwayne Johnson “The Rock”, 50 Cent, Hugh Jackman, etc. made the same joke, I’m not sure if Will Smith would have reacted the same way. He walked onto the stage at the biggest Hollywood event of the year and slapped a presenter. He then turned and walked back to his seat, only to shout obscenities from his seat. Then he refused to leave after being asked. He then won an Oscar, and offered a teary eyed apology and partied hard afterward.
His actions disgraced every other winner and nominee at the Oscars this year.
If Will was so much of an honorable husband, where was he when his wife slept around and then discussed it on her television show? How did he handle all the rumors about he and Jada being swingers? He didn’t handle it with the same aggression.
I still feel Will is a nice guy. His actions show he’s dealing with something. Chris’ words alone did not cause him to do what he did. Smh. I don’t know… I wouldn’t be surprised if this whole thing was staged to get attention.
If Jada was so hurt by Chris’ joke about G.I. Jane… why didn’t she get up and leave the award show? If Will would’ve walked by her side and left the Oscars, this would be a completely different story. I understand no one is perfect.
The only positive in all of this is seeing Chris Rock’s response to it all so far. Much respect to him.
I totally agree with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, as he wrote in his blog: “When Will Smith stormed onto the Oscar stage to strike Chris Rock for making a joke about his wife’s short hair, he did a lot more damage than just to Rock’s face. With a single petulant blow, he advocated violence, diminished women, insulted the entertainment industry, and perpetuated stereotypes about the Black community.”
