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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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?
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.