Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

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:
Joystir59 · 29/03/2022 10:18

@SulaSA

I was more annoyed that this incident was headline news on the BBC including radio 2, ahead of real news like Ukraine.

If it was staged for attention and ratings, it worked.

I've stopped watching the news about Ukraine. Happy to hear about something lighter for once.
TheFormidableMrsC · 29/03/2022 10:34

I've found myself disappointed in a lot of people I know over this incident. Violence is never unacceptable. They were both wrong. There are other ways to deal with things that don't involve punching somebody in the face. Unacceptable.

notanotheroneagain · 29/03/2022 12:10

This must be the 4th thread I have seen so far on MN.

So much self projection, it's not about you. Read this article.

www.teenvogue.com/story/will-smith-chris-rock-slap-situation-is-not-about-you?utm_source=twitter&mbid=social_twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_social-type=owned&utm_brand=tv

WalkersAreNotTheOnlyCrisps · 29/03/2022 12:30

Pretty sure the reactions would be the same if Tom Hanks got up on stage and belted Ricky Gervais, and there'd be at least 4 threads on it 🤷🏼‍♀️

Kudupoo · 29/03/2022 12:31

As someone with alopecia can we all please stop referring to it as a disability. I'm not disabled I just don't have any hair. It's more offensive than Chris Rock's joke.

TizerorFizz · 29/03/2022 12:41

One big issue that’s never talked about is why these “comedians” are allowed to “roast” guests at awards ceremonies? It’s condoned and encouraged by the organisers. It’s obviously going to be personal and offensive. The GI Jane comment wasn’t mega in terms of insults. So perhaps these awards ceremonies with big egos in the audience should stick to telling jokes that don’t involve anyone who is there?

Violence should not be condoned. Smith cannot defend what he did. He tried to talk about what made him do it, but it’s not acceptable and the Oscar’s need to control what is spouted out in the name of “comedy”. Plus Smith and Rock go way back! It’s not a new thing.

Eyedropeyeflop · 29/03/2022 12:45

@notanotheroneagain

I agree with that article, in particular the responses from white people which actually didn’t help.

People literally projecting their own experiences and having no awareness about doing so. All of a sudden the incident was akin to child abuse and domestic abuse?

No, it was not.

WalkersAreNotTheOnlyCrisps · 29/03/2022 12:49

Interesting, can't voice an opinion when "famous actor slaps the host on stage at awards show, televised live to the world", if you're white. Hmm.

Eyedropeyeflop · 29/03/2022 12:56

It was the projections rather than the actual opinions. The “it triggered me” because I was beat by my husband/father etc etc….. with no real thought to how Jada might have actually felt. All just a bit me me me me !!

Will smith slapping someone on a stage has nothing to do with your ex husband beating you.

WalkersAreNotTheOnlyCrisps · 29/03/2022 13:10

I agree some of the projection is a bit much. I don't believe for a minute Will's actions made him look like he's an abuser at home.

TatianaBis · 29/03/2022 16:00

@Kudupoo

As someone with alopecia can we all please stop referring to it as a disability. I'm not disabled I just don't have any hair. It's more offensive than Chris Rock's joke.
Hmm it's potentially offensive to find it offensive to be referred to as disabled.
Kudupoo · 29/03/2022 16:39

@TatianaBis

Which of my abilities is impacted by me having short hair?

ladydimitrescu · 29/03/2022 16:48

I'm as blue collar as they come and I certainly don't agree with what he did - your Facebook friends aren't indicative of the entire population.

TatianaBis · 29/03/2022 17:06

@Kudupoo You've rather missed the point.

SmellyOldOwls · 29/03/2022 17:21

'Hmm it's potentially offensive to find it offensive to be referred to as disabled.'

Surely more a case of that poster is offended at being labelled as something she doesn't identify as?

Kudupoo · 29/03/2022 18:08

@TatianaBis

What point did I miss? I'd like you to explain how you see shaven hair as a disability. As that is the only explanation for me finding offence in being referred to as disabled, rather than in the application of the term being incorrect...

TatianaBis · 29/03/2022 18:21

The point that it could potentially be offensive to disabled people to be so offended to be referred to as having a disability.

Changechangychange · 29/03/2022 18:31

@TatianaBis

The point that it could potentially be offensive to disabled people to be so offended to be referred to as having a disability.
It is not offensive to disabled people when other people don’t identify as disabled Confused
TatianaBis · 29/03/2022 18:40

No but it can be offensive to disabled people if people are offended to be regarded as disabled.

moonbedazzled · 29/03/2022 19:03

@chattycaterpillar

I'm half WC ad half MC and cannot for he life of me see what Will Smith did wrong. He didn't exactly beat Chris Rock to a pulp, he gave him slap because he publicly abused his wife due to her disability. She's already spoken out about how difficult/ embarrassing she finds having Alopecia, Chris Rock has made jibes at her before and now learns that being a misogynistic dick can occasionally cost him a smack in the mouth.

I don't think it's a class issue at all but a morality one - we don't , ( or shouldn't, in Rock's case), deliberately humiliate and goad people for their disabilities.

If I'm reading you right, you think it's OK to hit someone. You don't think it's right to beat him to a bloody pulp but it's ok to strike another person. So if your child was rude in class, it would be ok for the teacher to smack them across the face. Or if your daughter made a deprecating remark to her husband that he felt was rude, it's OK if he gives her a smack in the mouth. Or you're out in a restaurant and your mother says the food isn't good, it's OK for the chef to feel insulted and come out of the kitchen and strike her around the head.

The problem with the attitude of it's OK to hit people, is that its always followed up with the proviso 'if the circumstances merit it'. So who sets what merits a slap and what doesn't? Who decides what method of hitting is too hard? An open palmed slap from a person holding back might just sting, and from others it could cause real injury. So how do you police it? Or is it just a free for all smack for everyone?

I agree it's not a class issue. Some people think the answer to problems is violence and some people don't.

peachgreen · 29/03/2022 19:17

None of those comparisons work though, @moonbedazzled. There's a power imbalance between a teacher and a child. There's a domestic relationship between a husband and wife, as well as a gender difference. And insulting someone's cooking isn't the same as insulting an aspect of their appearance which has been impacted by a health condition. They're not the same thing.

Eyedropeyeflop · 29/03/2022 19:19

@peachgreen

I agree. The comparisons on mumsnet are absurd.

Kudupoo · 29/03/2022 19:19

It's could also be offensive to people with disabilities to imply a short haircut makes you disabled.
You're talking to an actual person here. Explain to me, how do you consider me to be disabled?
As you must think am disabled to find the term offensive itself, rather than incorrectly applied.

TatianaBis · 29/03/2022 19:26

I'm not saying I consider you as disabled. I'm simply saying be careful how you express offence at being considered as having a disability. It can be taken in more than one way.

Mytholmroyd · 29/03/2022 19:32

Well I'm a working class northerner and even I know a slap is what you give a rival when you call them out for a duel - pistols at dawn etc