There are certain entertainment options available on television that I don’t watch, the Academy Awards is one of them. The awards were televised last Sunday night. Of course, since I don’t watch them, I missed the world-shattering event that took place. The media was hot with reports of what did happen. Will Smith casually strolled unto the stage and proceeded to slap the host, Chis Rock, across the face. He did this because he felt Chris had shown disrespect for his wife Jada Pinkett by telling a joke about her close-cropped hair do. Jada wears the low cut because of a health condition called alopecia, which has resulted in hair loss.
One must wonder what was going through Will Smith’s mind when he did what he did. However, I suppose emotions got the better of him, and he gave no thought that this would be the slap seen and analyzed around the world. It was a metaphor for so many things. And shortly thereafter, examples of its metaphorical representation would start to surface from the mouths of one talking head after the other.
Will Smith didn’t exercise the best that wisdom could offer when he did what he did. And now the fallout has begun. He resigned from the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. I suppose this was a step to get ahead of being removed. I’m sure there will be other repercussions since the Academy is still looking into the matter.
I suppose the big question is whether this display was a true example of a man standing up for his beloved or conducting an embarrassing act that Smith wish he could pull back. Well, I think there’s another question: Should we be spending so much time on this issue when there are numerous other examples of human short fallings currently taking place around the world that are taking the lives of thousands. It seems these days that pop culture garners far more attention from all of us than it in anyway deserves.
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The deed is done and his much desired sought after treasure forever tainted I guess. And his mask has fallen off. There are other greater tragedies in the world to focus on though. Chris
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I so agree with you about the focus on mindless pop culture. I, too, don’t watch awards ceremonies. I’m mildly interested in who won, but I can’t stand the simpering drama of glamour nights.
I thought that the best part of this incident was that Rock reacted with grace at the moment and afterwards, too. Honestly, I don’t even know who he is other than a name, but he notched up in my view. I was disappointed by Smith’s behavior, but encouraged that he apologized profusely after he calmed down. Obviously he has some impulse control issues — something he shares with a LOT of people these days. A friend wasn’t ready to cut him slack because she claims he did not apologize directly to Rock. I don’t follow all this nonsense closely enough to know if she’s right about that. But he apologized to the public and isn’t that the hardest and most frequently ignored bit of responsibility of public and political figures? It’s enough for me. And who knows what kinds of issues he has watched his wife deal with. I didn’t think Rock’s comment was offensive, even in light of Jade’ condition. But who am I to say? I don’t walk in her shoes or in Will Smith’s.
Frankly I’d rather see all the money spent on this frothy night, on outfits, limos, hairdos, pre & post parties spent on homelessness in America.
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