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Original poster

I'm going to say it: There's a class divide in the Will Smith incident

266 replies

blockbustervideo · 28/03/2022 20:10

I have a wide social circle.

What I've noticed today on social media is those from blue collar/working class backgrounds are defending Will Smith's actions, the women saying "he's a real man" "that's what men should do", "he was defending her" and those from white collar backgrounds/middle classes completely condemning Will's actions as pure unadulterated violence/assault.

Both obviously agreeing Chris' joke was in bad taste and not funny.

What's everyone else's experience been from their social media reactions?

OP posts:
Windbeneathmybingowings · 28/03/2022 20:13

No I have a friend who is usually very up for pub fighting and she thinks WS is a total dickhead.

I come from a London working class background and the only person I have heard defend him is my brother in law who is from a very small town.

Notwithittoday · 28/03/2022 20:16

My mum thought it was fine. I do not think it was fine. I think it’s an age thing as well

WhiteXmas21 · 28/03/2022 20:17

@Notwithittoday

My mum thought it was fine. I do not think it was fine. I think it’s an age thing as well
Good grief no. I am late 50s and in no way was that fine. Chris Rock was crass, but violence is never the right answer.
M0rT · 28/03/2022 20:17

I think I have an irreverent social circle, cause all I'm seeing are piss taking memes!

grapehyacinthisactuallyblue · 28/03/2022 20:20

If that's really true, then people really need educating on what is acceptable and not. Violence won't solve anything.

CaptainMyCaptain · 28/03/2022 20:22

Nobody on my social media has mentioned it.

MrsGHarrison87 · 28/03/2022 20:23

A bit stereotypical and offensive to be honest. I am working class and don't think it was acceptable. We're not all scum that brawl in the street you know.

Random789 · 28/03/2022 20:23

Definitely not an age thing. 59 here, and WS was being a dick.

Original poster
blockbustervideo · 28/03/2022 20:24

@MrsGHarrison87

A bit stereotypical and offensive to be honest. I am working class and don't think it was acceptable. We're not all scum that brawl in the street you know.

How do you know I'm not working class?

OP posts:
EmpressCixi · 28/03/2022 20:24

Keep your classism to yourself OP.

ProfYaffle · 28/03/2022 20:25

@CaptainMyCaptain

Nobody on my social media has mentioned it.
Mine neither.
Sharrowgirl · 28/03/2022 20:25

I suppose one plus point is that they are of the same race. I can only imagine the raging fury and debate if one of them were white and one black (either way round).

Sleepeatrepeat · 28/03/2022 20:27

No kne has posted anything about it that I have noticed.

I am probably seen as white collar middle class.

I think he was foolish to slap Chris Rock. Especially so publicly but I honestly can't say that I don't understand where the compulsion came from.

How often have we told our kids to turn the other cheek only for the bullying to get worse.

How many times have we resorted to telling our kids that if someone hits them hit them back harder.

Bullies are vile cretins and they do not deserve anyone's sympathy when some one fights back.

Chris Rock is a disgusting human being. He vilifies and humiliates people. He is a bully. Bullies need to be taught a lesson.

Perhaps he will think twice next time.

Will Smith was an idiot for resorting to violence. But I can't say I blame him

Pizzadreams · 28/03/2022 20:28

There is no class stereotype here maybe in your social circle but in general there is no such thing, people have all different reactions and it’s irrelevant of class.

I honestly think some folks are obsessed with class on here. It’s bewildering.

dreamingbohemian · 28/03/2022 20:29

I'm not sure if the divide is class-based but I know what you mean OP.

There are circles where everyone understands that if you insult a man's wife or mother to his face, you can't really complain if you get smacked. And then there are the circles where 'violence is always wrong'.

I've spent most of my life among the former so while I don't condone at all what Will Smith did, I'm not particularly outraged either.

strawberrycheesecake1989 · 28/03/2022 20:29

I don’t understand why so many people including WS think that Chris rock’s reference to G.I. Jane was in bad taste? Demi more is absolutely stunning in that film with that shaved head. If I had shaved my head due to choice or alopécia - being compared to G.I. Jane would be a compliment!!

Pizzadreams · 28/03/2022 20:31

Oh and I’m middle class and in my fifties and as much as I don’t condone violence I absolutely understand why he slapped him, what was said was so utterly unacceptable and for me is the worse crime by far,

He took the piss out a woman who has alopecia for having no hair, in front of the world. I have to be honest and say what Chris did was way way worse than what will smith did.

MrsTerryPratchett · 28/03/2022 20:32

A survey of mine says, "no one cares" which is refreshing.

DH who grew up in a rough area thinks Will Smith is a twat. If that helps. And DH would 100% lamp someone who attacked me or DD physically. Verbal, he'd expect me to deal with it. The women in his family, very working class, would have shown Chris Rock his arse with no back up.

VyeBrator · 28/03/2022 20:32

How do you know I'm not working class?

I've never heard a working class person refer to themselves or anyone else as 'blue collar'...

Pizzadreams · 28/03/2022 20:33

@strawberrycheesecake1989

I don’t understand why so many people including WS think that Chris rock’s reference to G.I. Jane was in bad taste? Demi more is absolutely stunning in that film with that shaved head. If I had shaved my head due to choice or alopécia - being compared to G.I. Jane would be a compliment!!
You can’t be serious? The woman has lost her hair, she is not bald through choice, do you have no inkling at all how devastating this is for someone, particularly a woman and then to have it publicly called out?
ArmWrestlingWithChasNDave · 28/03/2022 20:33

Ooh get you being so brave and saying "it". Bold of you to assume everybody is as ignorant as you and we're all just afraid to say it.

PaperTyger · 28/03/2022 20:34

I thought Chris rock was foolish to deride someone with an illness that affects their appearance.
Any illness is surely a no go

Is crass and I cannot bear comedians taking the piss out of people who don't understand or are able to retaliate etc.

It's a shame someone didn't Deck Frankie Boyle on humanity.
Maybe comedians will think twice .
I'm all for freedom of speech but he went too far

dreamingbohemian · 28/03/2022 20:34

@VyeBrator

How do you know I'm not working class?

I've never heard a working class person refer to themselves or anyone else as 'blue collar'...

They do in the US
Silverclocks · 28/03/2022 20:35

I've heard quite a bit about it on the radio (in the car) today but actually although I've had quite a chatty day, no one has mentioned it. We talked about the proposed extention to the school day, the return of Bridgerton, various adult children's struggles at work, a nasty child abuse case locally, Ukrainian refugees. Lots of gossip/chat and current affairs, but no one mentioned Will Smith, now you come to mention it.

TheLightSideOfTheMoon · 28/03/2022 20:38

The people I’ve spoken too think it was staged.

I agree.

He was laughing along with the joke then leapt up as though he’d missed his call to action.

Chris Rock carried on, and laughed about it.

Will Smith was smiling when he went back to his seat.

Police aren’t intervening. Security didn’t intervene.

They’re both actors/comedians (although I hadn’t heard of Chris Rock until this incident) and wanted to cause a bit of controversy.

Although if everyone believes it then he clearly deserves his best actor award.