Why Will Smith Slapping Chris Rock is a Lose-Lose Situation

Commentary by Eden Washington. Photo image courtesy of CNN.

March 30, 2022. I have watched journalists and listened to several content creators' perspectives on what they think of Will Smith slapping comedian Chris Rock at the 94th Oscars on Sunday March 27, 2022.  I really wanted this to be a fun part of the show and somehow we would all see the humor in it, so that in the end, we could all laugh and talk about how great the Oscars were.  Some people believe it was staged, while others believe it was absolutely surreal.  Either way, it is a lose, lose situation for both entertainers.  Above all, I felt embarrassed that this incident had taken place before an international audience.  YouTube influencer Kevin Samuels said it best when he questioned Will Smith’s motives for his actions saying, “What leader allows his legacy to get tarnished with emotions like this on his greatest night?”

If this was not staged and was truly in defense of his wife Jada and her disappointment with Chris Rock's joke, he did himself, his wife Jada, his family, and all who believed in him as a role model a disservice.  It may appear that things have de-escalated, however, the image that has been projected about the overly aggressive, unhinged, angry black male has been etched into our psyche yet again. 

This seemed so out of character for Will Smith.  I think it was very noble of him to defend his wife Jada, and he should have absolutely done just that, but NOT in the way he did in front of the world.  In fact, in my mind, it made him look weaker, especially after he returned to his seat and shouted expletives from the front row.  Will Smith set a new precedent for himself that night, and I don’t think it is one he will want to live up to.  I expected better of Will Smith, a 53 year old celebrity who I am sure has had worse things said about him and his wife over the course of his 25+ year career in the industry.  In his acceptance speech, he spoke of moving forward in love and that love makes you do crazy things sometimes.  Smith justified his actions by saying love led him to mindlessly react instead of respond in a more appropriate manner.  Uhm, Mr. Smith, you can not justify an assault by saying it is love, that’s just WRONG!  That was NOT a love tap.  I admired Will Smith even when I was not sure that he absolutely practiced all that he touts about alchemy, living, learning, and evolving.  At this point I question if he believes all of what he says about life lessons and living himself. 

Chris Rock was clearly flustered as he flubbed a line attempting to move the show along.  However, I gave him big props for remaining professional and moving on with the show as he should have.  I gained more respect for Chris Rock for remaining dignified despite his current circumstances.  I can’t imagine that was very easy to do since instinctively the first thing a person may want to do is hit back, but in this case I think he exercised the best judgment.

On the other hand, if this was staged, and they pulled a Jussie Smollett stunt, that is even worse.  While the Academy may have garnered higher ratings, Chris Rock’s ticket sales for his upcoming Ego Death tour have jumped in price by 700% overnight, Will Smith has finally received an Oscar, the fallout from this roundabout attempt to boost ratings and ticket sales can backfire, as others speculate that Will may have to return his Oscar. And if people get sufficient proof that this was staged, the Academy, Will Smith, and Chis Rock lose major credibility and fan base.  Some people have already begun to speculate that Will Smith may need mental help after dealing with the other frustrations that might have him publicly unraveling.   

Also if this was staged, Chris Rock is not an innocent victim. He agreed to be slapped, but that scenario is crazy as well, because what 57 year old man would agree to be slapped during an international production as big as the Oscars, and why?  As for the Academy Awards, I did not watch this year, and I likely will not watch next year either.  I’m just not interested, it's too long, and I only want to see the artists whom I am familiar with and whose work I appreciate. That being said, I’d rather watch highlights the next day.  

Let’s not forget about the other winners who were robbed of their time in the spotlight because most everyone was shocked that they had witnessed Will Smith assaulting Chris Rock.  This act by Will Smith was so savage and selfish.  

Either way, this is not a good look for either of these talented men. Chris Rock’s joke didn’t warrant him being assaulted.  Rock was hired to do his job as a comedian.  Comedians reside on the edge of imperfect sanity, that’s what makes them funny.  Granted, the joke that provoked the slap wasn’t the funniest joke, but it also was not a bad joke either.  I have heard some argue that the joke was insensitive, but we don’t know that Rock was being insensitive, because we don’t know that he knew that Pinkett-Smith is dealing with an autoimmune disease called Alopecia.  Furthermore, Jada Pinkett Smith would absolutely fit the character in G.I.Jane 2.  Rock may have even inspired a new role for Jada, if she would be willing to take it, and if she did, I don’t think that would be a bad thing. 

 Eden Washington is a 7th grade scholar at Friendship Public Charter School Online.