Re: #1, what is a red line if there are no serious tangible consequences?
Re: #4, I wouldn't impugn his intentions since we frankly don't know them.
Another perspective worth consideration is the public's acceptance with verbal assaults on people by those hiding behind the shield of "comedy". There should be no tolerance to such personal attacks, but the masses love that kind of drama based on the 6 and 7 figure salaries some comedians generate. If the public had the same outcry to the verbal assaults being dished out, the slap would not have even felt necessary by Smith or anyone in that situation. We (society) are at fault for the open license given to "comedians" to insult others.
Finally, Chris Rock won't be feeling that slap today but Jada and countless others may continue to feel the pain from those verbal daggers for a long time. Sometimes verbal violence is worse than physical violence. We should be consistent and not schizophrenic when reacting to verbal vs physical assaults, as we (society at large) tend to accept/encourage the former and vociferously reject the latter.
You make some really thoughtful points, Wael. The problem is that by slapping Chris Rock, Will Smith make the story about himself. I think had he met him at the verbal level and challenged what he said--even interrupting the show--we would be having the conversation you're pointing to: what is the appropriate bounds of comedy, and how do we engage with comedians who cross it.
My favorite Will Smith movie is Collateral Beauty. I thought it reflected his sensitivity and depth, as well as his acting skills. It's disappointing, although not unbelievable that he gave in to this aggressive impulse. Often this kind of aggression stems from the person's frustration and sense of helplessness. It's ironic that this was at an event where movies depicting sometimes horrific violence are honored. I don't know how a culture can successfully convince it's members to curtail their violent tendencies, when popular culture glamorizes it, corporal punishment is accepted and where the word war is used to justify mass murder.
Will Smith will now be remembered first for "the slap" rather than the portrayal that earned him the most coveted award given by the film industry.
His acceptance speech explanations in no way justified his behavior. There were so many other things he could have done to defend and protect his wife.
This is a sad event for all involved. "Love will make you do crazy things" doesn't make this incident better.
Once again you have clearly and simply articulated the thoughts I find difficult to pull out of my brain. Thank you.
I hear you, Glen. When I ran for office, I ran believing that focusing on policy was enough--that the things I wanted to do with the public commonwealth were what folks needed to focus on. And then I realized that I had to articulate about why we are where we are, and where we need to go. Storytelling is culture-making. Like it or not, way more folks are paying attention to what just happened then are paying attention to the nuances of inflation or geopolitics. In that respect, it's critical, I think, to engage with culture-making. That said, it's not my usual fare for a reason. I agree with YOU on this.
I wanted to let you know know that I am running for State Representative 50th district against Bob Bezotte. Livingston County. First time for this. I like like your insight. We have met Briefly a couple of times. Tired of the Will Smith thing. I sometimes wonder if it was staged to increase ratings. Be Well!! Glen
Yes, this was a bad moment for all, but I'm willing to forgive Chris Rock for being stupid and Will Smith for reacting by slapping him, because you are right: The world has been violent from the beginning, and we, as a society, revel in it. My partner and I can't wait for the last segment of the last season of "Ozark" which is one of the nastiest series on Netflix. I do wonder sometimes why we are so enthralled by these evil characters. Are we, who view ourselves as nice old folks and even spiritually inclined, not who we think we are? Where is this dark side coming from? It must be a part of the "original sin" concept that says everyone who is born into this world is born into a system that is sinful. Even though we'd like to think that little babies are innocent, they cannot be, because the system of just being alive is so corrupting. So let's just forgive the two actors and move on. I'd say that we've got bigger issues to contend with.
This is a really interesting set of thoughts, R.Z. I think there is real value in hearing/seeing stories play out--they're incredible teachers of right and wrong. There's a reason that for most of human history, we taught lessons through oral storytelling--that most of the world's great books are told in parables. I worry that sometimes we err on the side of the gratuitous, because let's face it, sex and violence sell. But there's a desensitization that happens, leaving us craving more and more--often in ways that obscure rather than accentuate the storytelling.
Thanks for the insight Abdulrahman.
Re: #1, what is a red line if there are no serious tangible consequences?
Re: #4, I wouldn't impugn his intentions since we frankly don't know them.
Another perspective worth consideration is the public's acceptance with verbal assaults on people by those hiding behind the shield of "comedy". There should be no tolerance to such personal attacks, but the masses love that kind of drama based on the 6 and 7 figure salaries some comedians generate. If the public had the same outcry to the verbal assaults being dished out, the slap would not have even felt necessary by Smith or anyone in that situation. We (society) are at fault for the open license given to "comedians" to insult others.
Finally, Chris Rock won't be feeling that slap today but Jada and countless others may continue to feel the pain from those verbal daggers for a long time. Sometimes verbal violence is worse than physical violence. We should be consistent and not schizophrenic when reacting to verbal vs physical assaults, as we (society at large) tend to accept/encourage the former and vociferously reject the latter.
You make some really thoughtful points, Wael. The problem is that by slapping Chris Rock, Will Smith make the story about himself. I think had he met him at the verbal level and challenged what he said--even interrupting the show--we would be having the conversation you're pointing to: what is the appropriate bounds of comedy, and how do we engage with comedians who cross it.
My favorite Will Smith movie is Collateral Beauty. I thought it reflected his sensitivity and depth, as well as his acting skills. It's disappointing, although not unbelievable that he gave in to this aggressive impulse. Often this kind of aggression stems from the person's frustration and sense of helplessness. It's ironic that this was at an event where movies depicting sometimes horrific violence are honored. I don't know how a culture can successfully convince it's members to curtail their violent tendencies, when popular culture glamorizes it, corporal punishment is accepted and where the word war is used to justify mass murder.
Will Smith will now be remembered first for "the slap" rather than the portrayal that earned him the most coveted award given by the film industry.
His acceptance speech explanations in no way justified his behavior. There were so many other things he could have done to defend and protect his wife.
This is a sad event for all involved. "Love will make you do crazy things" doesn't make this incident better.
Once again you have clearly and simply articulated the thoughts I find difficult to pull out of my brain. Thank you.
Chris Rock impressed me. Smith's act of violence was uncalled for. Imagine if I or my neighbor did that?
It's assault. Once you escalate to violence, the nature of the encounter changes. I really wish he hadn't done it.
Mine only thought is that I just don’t care. We are closer than we have been in nuclear war and this is what we worried about. Really?
I hear you, Glen. When I ran for office, I ran believing that focusing on policy was enough--that the things I wanted to do with the public commonwealth were what folks needed to focus on. And then I realized that I had to articulate about why we are where we are, and where we need to go. Storytelling is culture-making. Like it or not, way more folks are paying attention to what just happened then are paying attention to the nuances of inflation or geopolitics. In that respect, it's critical, I think, to engage with culture-making. That said, it's not my usual fare for a reason. I agree with YOU on this.
I wanted to let you know know that I am running for State Representative 50th district against Bob Bezotte. Livingston County. First time for this. I like like your insight. We have met Briefly a couple of times. Tired of the Will Smith thing. I sometimes wonder if it was staged to increase ratings. Be Well!! Glen
Good luck - drop me an email and let’s discuss!
Thank You
Yes, this was a bad moment for all, but I'm willing to forgive Chris Rock for being stupid and Will Smith for reacting by slapping him, because you are right: The world has been violent from the beginning, and we, as a society, revel in it. My partner and I can't wait for the last segment of the last season of "Ozark" which is one of the nastiest series on Netflix. I do wonder sometimes why we are so enthralled by these evil characters. Are we, who view ourselves as nice old folks and even spiritually inclined, not who we think we are? Where is this dark side coming from? It must be a part of the "original sin" concept that says everyone who is born into this world is born into a system that is sinful. Even though we'd like to think that little babies are innocent, they cannot be, because the system of just being alive is so corrupting. So let's just forgive the two actors and move on. I'd say that we've got bigger issues to contend with.
This is a really interesting set of thoughts, R.Z. I think there is real value in hearing/seeing stories play out--they're incredible teachers of right and wrong. There's a reason that for most of human history, we taught lessons through oral storytelling--that most of the world's great books are told in parables. I worry that sometimes we err on the side of the gratuitous, because let's face it, sex and violence sell. But there's a desensitization that happens, leaving us craving more and more--often in ways that obscure rather than accentuate the storytelling.