Page 5 | Will Smith could have made a different choice.

Ski4130 · 31/03/2022 11:28

'Love will make you do crazy things' as an excuse for violence makes me feel quite sick. Will Smith trying to justify the act by using that line is worse for me than the joke that started it, and the punch that followed it.

girlmom21 · 31/03/2022 11:29

@Ski4130

'Love will make you do crazy things' as an excuse for violence makes me feel quite sick. Will Smith trying to justify the act by using that line is worse for me than the joke that started it, and the punch that followed it.

Isn't that what domestic abusers say too? "It's because you drive me crazy" "it's because I love you and I'm scared to lose you" etc etc

MrsSkylerWhite · 31/03/2022 11:29

Rock too could have chosen to be dignified and not made the “joke”. Six of one, etc.

LindaEllen · 31/03/2022 11:29

What's the point in making threads about what should/could have happened? Are you telling me you've never once made a decision and looked back on it a few days later and wished you'd handled it differently? The only difference here is that WS did it in front of cameras. But CR made a vile and insensitive joke in front of cameras too, so that evens it up.

People aren't perfect. WS has apologised for his actions - even though I'm not sure he needed to.

Hoping CR learns what is and isn't funny.

Original poster

Lilifer · 31/03/2022 11:34

@Ski4130

'Love will make you do crazy things' as an excuse for violence makes me feel quite sick. Will Smith trying to justify the act by using that line is worse for me than the joke that started it, and the punch that followed it.

When he said "love will make you do crazy things" it just sounded like a cheesy line spoken in that sort of deep male movie trailer voice, I mean seriously.

OP posts:

FOJN · 31/03/2022 11:35

Jada should just be grateful that he isn’t pressing charges against her husband. I certainly would be!

I don't think Jada should be grateful for anything. One man makes a joke about a medical condition she has and another reacts with violence, she is not responsible for either of those things.

I wonder if the people who think the violence was justified would be OK if one of their children was attacked for saying something stupid and insensitive.

We'll never achieve equality as long as some people think violence is OK if a man uses it to defend a woman's honour. It would be different if the violence was used to defend someone more vulnerable from physical attack but in this case it wasn't, the provocation was was a poor taste joke.

Ski4130 · 31/03/2022 11:36

@LindaEllen

What's the point in making threads about what should/could have happened? Are you telling me you've never once made a decision and looked back on it a few days later and wished you'd handled it differently? The only difference here is that WS did it in front of cameras. But CR made a vile and insensitive joke in front of cameras too, so that evens it up.

People aren't perfect. WS has apologised for his actions - even though I'm not sure he needed to.

Hoping CR learns what is and isn't funny.

Do you seriously not think WS needed to apologise? That's unreal!

WS clearly the acceptable face and poster boy for violence being ok, as long as you're famous, did it for love and have won an oscar (insert an eye roll here)

Original poster

Lilifer · 31/03/2022 11:36

To the posters who are asking me why I'm starting a thread about this, well a) because I want to and b) if you think I shouldn't then why bother coming on to post when you could just ignore it. If I see a thread I'm not interested in I just scroll on. But aside from that, I started this thread because I wanted to and I can. Sorry if that irritates you but 🤷‍♀️

OP posts:

Beefcurtains79 · 31/03/2022 11:39

@LindaEllen

What's the point in making threads about what should/could have happened? Are you telling me you've never once made a decision and looked back on it a few days later and wished you'd handled it differently? The only difference here is that WS did it in front of cameras. But CR made a vile and insensitive joke in front of cameras too, so that evens it up.

People aren't perfect. WS has apologised for his actions - even though I'm not sure he needed to.

Hoping CR learns what is and isn't funny.

“ People aren't perfect. WS has apologised for his actions - even though I'm not sure he needed to.”

You don’t think he should apologise for physically assaulting someone?

Fairyliz · 31/03/2022 11:42

Well yes op that would have been the perfect response, but how many of us can think of the perfect response in the heat of the moment?
I’ve had lots of occasions in my life when people have made a nasty dig at me and I have thought of a polite but sharp reply. Unfortunately it’s always about 30 minutes to late.

Vivi0 · 31/03/2022 11:42

@FOJN

Jada should just be grateful that he isn’t pressing charges against her husband. I certainly would be!

I don't think Jada should be grateful for anything. One man makes a joke about a medical condition she has and another reacts with violence, she is not responsible for either of those things.

I wonder if the people who think the violence was justified would be OK if one of their children was attacked for saying something stupid and insensitive.

We'll never achieve equality as long as some people think violence is OK if a man uses it to defend a woman's honour. It would be different if the violence was used to defend someone more vulnerable from physical attack but in this case it wasn't, the provocation was was a poor taste joke.

My comment was in response to someone saying Chris Rock should apologise to Jada. Whilst she is certainly not responsible for Will, she clearly supports him and what he did. Why on earth would Chris Rock apologise to her?

I agree with everything you’ve said re violence.

Girlmumdogmumboymum · 31/03/2022 11:43

I'm sorry OP but I have to disagree.
I think WS is in an impossible position. I think that his relationship with his wife is abusive, I think she's a very manipulative woman.

He laughed at that joke, then he looked at her, next thing you know, he's up there hitting someone. I think he's doing all he can to keep her happy, and will do all he can to avoid her upset.
This isn't a woman who sits and discusses when she's unhappy, she goes off and has an affair with her sons friend, then goes on TV to talk to her husband about it, where she lambasts him as a husband.

That man is tying himself up in knots to please her and she plainly enjoys that queen bee status.

I do not know a woman who would cheat on their husband then go on TV and blame him for it, and stay with him, or who would just sat there whilst their husband lamped someone in their honour... for a joke he initially found funny either!

Original poster

Lilifer · 31/03/2022 11:47

@Girlmumdogmumboymum

I'm sorry OP but I have to disagree. I think WS is in an impossible position. I think that his relationship with his wife is abusive, I think she's a very manipulative woman.

He laughed at that joke, then he looked at her, next thing you know, he's up there hitting someone. I think he's doing all he can to keep her happy, and will do all he can to avoid her upset.
This isn't a woman who sits and discusses when she's unhappy, she goes off and has an affair with her sons friend, then goes on TV to talk to her husband about it, where she lambasts him as a husband.

That man is tying himself up in knots to please her and she plainly enjoys that queen bee status.

I do not know a woman who would cheat on their husband then go on TV and blame him for it, and stay with him, or who would just sat there whilst their husband lamped someone in their honour... for a joke he initially found funny either!

Well looking at it from that perspective I agree, if there is an abusive dynamic there then that could explain (though not excuse) will smiths behaviour. I do think though that it's a pity he didn't use words to deal with this instead of physical attack. Even if he is being abused by her ( and I agree that's entirely possible) surely he could still have verbally given CR a dressing down which would have been admired and respected by everyone. But I do think that there is something seriously amiss with him after this episode

OP posts:

notanotheroneagain · 31/03/2022 12:05

Hold on a second, just how many affairs did Jada have. My understand is that she started the affair when she was separated from Will. August is the one who publicised it, leading to all sorts of rumours. W&J talked about it at the red table. They came back together deciding on an open marriage.

At the discussion, Jada said, it was not about getting back at anyone, which will said, it felt like it did.

Will had been rumoured to have cheated loads on Jada, was even said to have had a long time girlfriend - guess this is where the not getting back at someone comment came from.
(As a side note, my friend believes that Will had a child with one of his affairs, and they are protecting their identify).

No one praised Will for his non-sexist and equal view, since they were actually separated at the time, instead he was ridiculed all over the place. That is why I don't think he would have been seen as a hero even on this context of the oscars.

bluebell34567 · 31/03/2022 12:07

@Lilifer

He had several moments to think about it as he made his way up to the podium. He could have calmly taken the mircrophone from Chris Rocks hand and addressed the audience on behalf of himself and Jada to say that joke was unacceptable (which it was) and then he could have invited Chris Rock to make a public apology there and then, which CR would have had to do , would have had no choice really, then WS could have returned to his seat dignity intact, showing the world how words rather than violence can be used to good effect, and this silly ugly petulant toxic masculinity nonsense could have been avoided. He revealed a very ugly side to himself. He should have been escorted out of that event for that behaviour.

agree.

bluebell34567 · 31/03/2022 12:11

@Lilifer

"Will Smith should have shamed Chris Rock without attacking him. Actually OP's idea would have been brilliant! I would have gone with a very simple walk out. He could come from backstage to receive his award later on"

Yes agreed! That would have been very effective and very powerful. For such an intelligent man that Will Smith is he could have really dealt with this in several ways that did not include physical assault.

agree. he should know better than that. to be calm and collected.

bluebell34567 · 31/03/2022 12:12

you cant be impulsive like that in that situation.

bluebell34567 · 31/03/2022 12:15

I wonder if Ricky Gervais would make such a joke.

Alexandra2001 · 31/03/2022 12:16

Cannot condone what Will Smith did but its understandable, its what makes us human, warts n all.

Rock on the other hand was just being an arse and a bully but at least he has had the good grace not to press charges.

TBH Given what is happening in other parts of the World, this really is at 999 on the list of things i wish hadn't occured.

bluebell34567 · 31/03/2022 12:17

his jokes just fly out i dont know where they go, how they are received if bad. i like him though.

bluebell34567 · 31/03/2022 12:17

i mean r gervais

Vivi0 · 31/03/2022 12:18

@bluebell34567

I wonder if Ricky Gervais would make such a joke.

I’m sure Ricky Gervais has made many jokes which have offended many people.

girlmom21 · 31/03/2022 13:22

@bluebell34567

I wonder if Ricky Gervais would make such a joke.

Probably, but he would've also ripped Will Smith to shreds forevermore.

He'd ruin his career by humiliation. Chris Rock isn't smart enough to do so.

Moonface123 · 31/03/2022 13:47

"Love will make you do crazy things" is a cop out for l refuse to take responsibility for my actions.
Wondering if his daughters boyfriend ever tried a similar stunt how understanding WS would be then. .

carlapig · 01/04/2022 06:49

I wonder what mums would think of the situation if it was two children. If one child said an unpleasant joke and the other one hit them should the child be punished for hitting them or would you say fair enough they got what they deserved? Would they expect the school to take action and if it happened during a prize giving day would they be ok with the school giving a school prize to the attacker shortly afterwards and for other mums and dads to cheer the attacker. I am guessing that those who are condoning Will Smith's behaviour would not be happy if a child, particularly if it was their child, had been slapped on stage for an offensive joke and the attacker was then applauded.