One of the world’s biggest movie stars ought to know better.
One of the world’s biggest movie stars ought to know better.
C ome on, Will Smith. You ought to know better. Slapping Chris Rock was a terrible idea because . . .
10. The Slap overshadowed everything else about the Oscars. Your fellow winners are going to be asked about the Slap. The first-ever deaf man to win an acting Oscar? Pushed to the sidelines. The first “openly queer woman of color” to win? Overshadowed. A lot of people worked really hard to get their moment of glory, but all anyone is talking about is you.
9. The Slap just redefined your entire career. You spent more than 30 years carefully building an image as a genial, easygoing fellow. That went away in an instant. Then you made it worse by yelling out profanity, twice. Whatever happened to Gentleman Will Smith?
8. Racists will use this against you to suggest black men can’t control their tempers. Don’t like racists? Neither do I. Don’t give them anything to work with.
7. You’re a public figure, and so is your wife. Public figures get talked about, sometimes even joked about. Don’t like people making rude remarks about you in public? Then don’t become a movie star in the first place. Accept the bad with the good. You are handsomely paid for what you do.
6. Everyone is now raking over the details of your marriage, which you probably wish attracted less scrutiny rather than more.
5. Responding to verbal insults with violence is not okay. In fact, it’s against the law. You are fortunate that Rock is not pressing charges.
4. Every standup comic in the country who interacts with his audience is now thinking: Is someone out there aching to pull a Will Smith if I say something a little harsh? Are audience members now being primed to think of themselves as superheroes who are likely to become social-media darlings if they go up on stage and punch some performer for being offensive?
3. You’re an American. Those who dislike us in other countries often describe us as childish, violent hotheads who can’t control our emotions. This was a worldwide broadcast. Don’t embarrass your country.
2. It was a joke. Rock was literally doing his job. If you think a joke isn’t funny, criticize it later instead of bullying the guy who made it.
1. You’re a grown-a** man. Act like one.