This article was written on March 31, 2022. Topics covered in this article may have been updated with new information.
Will Smith slapping and cursing out Chris Rock over a joke referencing his wife’s shaved head (due to alopecia) at the 94th Academy Awards has spurred moral debates between millions of Americans. Smith’s act of violence was extremely shocking, but the audience and some of the public’s reaction has been just as surprising. While many condemn Smith’s assault of Rock, some excuse it or even support it.
Let’s start at the beginning. Audiences in the United States were baffled when their Oscars stream cut video for a few seconds and cut audio for longer, which we soon learned was to avoid televising Smith’s tirade. However, my confusion grew after I jumped on Twitter to find countless uncensored videos and explanations of the incident since absolutely no disciplinary action had been taken against Smith. He sat in his seat as the show continued, and Rock finished announcing the Academy Award for “Best Documentary (Feature).” When an act of violence is committed against anyone in TV production or even in the audience, the perpetrator ought to be escorted out by security, whether it is likely they will re-offend or not. However, Smith’s acclaimed acting career seems to have placed him in a tier of people who are above the law and justice. Although the Academy stated that it “condemns the actions of Mr. Smith” and is launching an investigation into the outburst, its slowness to act speaks volumes about the fact that many elites in Hollywood excuse violence when the perpetrator is their friend.
Following his angry strike, Smith appeared to sit happily in the audience with his wife and was soon awarded Best Actor for his performance in King Richard. His speech was a troubling display of someone in an emotionally unstable state, yet it received claps and heartfelt tears from many audience members. I was sickened as I watched him rationalize his violence by likening the slap of a comedian to doing his job to his character, Serena and Venus Williams’ father, who is (according to Smith) “a fierce protector of his family.” Last time I checked, protection was something generally used defensively and not offensively, and never with physical violence unless absolutely necessary. His uncomfortable monologue continued with a vague apology to The Academy and his fellow nominees, but not to Rock, his actual victim. Smith’s subsequent extrapolation on God and wanting to be “a vessel for love” didn’t resonate with viewers, probably because it was shared minutes after publicly attacking a fellow performer. And yet, Smith received a standing ovation from the room. A standing ovation, a celebration of himself, after a nearly completely unapologetic speech and taking virtually no responsibility for his actions. “At your highest moment, be careful, that’s when the devil comes for you” was a statement apparently told to Smith by Denzel Washington before he gave his acceptance speech, which was in extremely poor taste. “The devil” did not overcome Smith. “The devil” did not force Smith to hit Rock. “The devil” did not stop Smith from apologizing genuinely, thoroughly, and humbly to Rock, Smith chose not to. Smith made conscious decisions in all of his actions and words that night.
Anyone can post a “heartfelt” apology on social media after a public misstep, and that’s exactly what Smith did. In his Instagram post, he states in his apology to Rock, “I was out of line and I was wrong,” which is his first true acceptance of culpability for the assault. Now, many tweets and Youtube comments express the sentiment that Rock’s ad-libbed joke was too far or out of line, and even that Smith’s action was justified. But the precedent for offensive jokes at the Oscars has been set previously, and celebrities are accustomed to being the butt of countless digs over their careers. I won’t argue for or against the joke being told, simply that physical violence is never justified over a joke. Kathy Griffin and other comedians took to Twitter to express concern over a dangerous precedent of physical retaliation against them as they do their jobs, which is a legitimate concern, based on the lackadaisical reaction of The Academy and other notable figures who have not condemned Smith’s actions.
A few have called for Smith’s Best Actor award to be revoked, but this punishment is highly unlikely. Considering convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein and other sexual predators still hold their Oscars, Smith does not deserve to have his award taken away. Perhaps this does bring up an important question, however: should awards be retroactively removed from winners who are discovered to be violent criminals? As the Academy considers what disciplinary action to take towards Smith, they ought to carefully consider the much graver offenses of other actors, producers and directors whom they have celebrated over the years.
Considering Regina Hall’s objectifying and uncomfortable routine about groping male actors was featured for multiple minutes at this year’s Academy Awards, I’m not surprised at the lack of condemnation of Will Smith marching onstage to violently smack Chris Rock. Over a joke. After the rise of the #MeToo movement in 2017 and the exposure of countless sexual assaults against men, women and children in the entertainment industry, one would think Hollywood’s culture of accepting violence began to shift. However, a perpetrator’s fame, money and status clearly still determine the consequences of his or her actions.