When Actor Will Smith slapped Comedian Chris Rock on live television at the Academy Award Ceremony on March 27th, it send shock waves through the Academy's audience as well as to the viewers around the world. Everyone has weighed in on the matter, but the editors at Historianspeaks thought it might be interesting to have HBCU students provide their opinions. In the second installment of this five part series, we will profile some of their responses here. We look forward to your thoughts and comments on these pieces.
Disclaimer: The opinions presented here are exclusively those of the writer.
Will Smith sent the Oscar’s into a state of confusion and shock after walking onto the stage and slapping Chris Rock. Apparently, Smith felt he needed to defend his wife Jada Pinkett Smith, after Chris Rock delivered a GI Jane II joke. This slap was a very dangerous act, as there was no way of knowing the outcome. In addition, that joke or at least the reaction to it seems to be related to some deeper, underlying problem. Unresolved, deep seated volatile emotion is beyond dangerous and could end in death.
Chris Rock was executing his hosting responsibilities and working the room until he told a joke referencing GI Jane II! Pinkett Smith was not in the GI Jane film; however, her current hair is styled as that of the main character in the movie, Jordan O’Neil, who was portrayed by Demi Moore.
In previous months Pinkett Smith and Smith have revealed some very detailed, personal, and sensitive information about their marriage. However, nothing about Pinkett Smith’s health, or her suffering from Alopecia was revealed. Rock, nor anyone else would have known about Pinkett Smith’s condition prior to the Oscars. How would anyone had known? How would anyone have known that Pinkett Smith or Smith would be offended after the joke was told; or that it would lead to “the slap, in the name of love”. Initially, Smith was seen laughing, not showing any disapproval or adverse reaction to the joke .; o Smith’s wife Pinkett Smith, was seen rolling her eyes and displaying her disapproval. Comedians make jokes and that is what they are jokes, and the jokes should never be taken personally or seriously.
Smith divulged that his wife is suffering from Alopecia after the now notorious slap. Smith’s embarrassment regarding revelations about his marriage and his wife being in a “situation” or entanglement outside of his marriage was and is emotionally devastating. He had no control of the narrative nor its exposure. In essence he was blindsided and could do nothing. This in and of itself can lead to emotional distress, anxiety, and increase in risk-taking behavior. Perhaps in the moment of hearing the joke about his wife, he felt he had some modicum of control? Perhaps he was already on edge from the embarrassment and thoughts in his head that he exploded, and it culminated in the slap.
In conclusion, Smith’s intense emotions have impaired his self-control. His anger has led to his embarrassment and that of his family. Smith, or anyone else experiencing emotional damage should seek professional help. Chris Rock is a professional actor and comedian. He chose to not physically react to the situation and to stay on task and fulfill his professional obligation. Who knows what someone else would have done or how they would have responded to “the slap in the name of love”? Smith’s actions were very dangerous, and his behavior could have led to severe injury or death!