AIBU NO-ONE Can morally defend Will Smith

[TheRealKaren]

If a physical assault happened in any other environment, it would lead to an arrest. So why are so many people defending Will Smith? While Chris Rock’s joke was at best ignorant and at worst spiteful, Will Smith was completely in the wrong. I’m amazed at the many people defending Smith, and I do think that there should be consequences for him. I partly believe that the academy is hesitant to react because they are worried they’re going to be seen as racist if they do.

I just don’t think violence is ever acceptable and no one should be slapped, over anything they say. I just don’t see how it would ever be justified in any other environment, especially a professional one which the Academy Awards are

YABU: Chris Rock deserves everything he got and it is OK to slap someone if they’ve offended you or someone you care about.
YANBU: Will Smith committed assault and should face the consequences.

Maybe take it up with people who defend WS & don't start a rant here?

"Is alopecia an illness??*

Yes, I believe it's an autoimmune condition?

@HumunaHey of course its an illness,. What did you think it was, a lifestyle choice?

It was a display of male toxicity at its worst

It really wasnt. On the scale of male toxicity it barely moved the needle. Go look at the war in Ukraine if you want to see male toxicity at its worst.

until the shouting started

I noticed this too. The crowd were laughing along until Will started swearing - funny how the f word shocks a Hollywood audience more than a slap.

This. Tired of seeing all the threads tbh

Why would you read and comment on a thread on a topic you're tired of?! You know Mumsnet is voluntary right? If you're tired, don't click, don't read, don't comment. Look after yourself.

He could have handled that in such a classier way. He could have spoken to him, took the mic and addressed the audience if he really wanted to. Made Chris Rock look small if he wanted to and would have probably gained a lot of respect for being calm in defence of his family or however he put it.

As it happens he's made himself look like a thick, emotionally unintelligent, arrogant oil who at 50 odd years old cannot control himself.
The academy have supported him in showing that if someone calls you a name you march up, punch them, angrily swear and shout and you'll get away with it.

A fucking disgrace the whole thing.

*oik

It was a display of male toxicity at its worst

or a display of chivalry?

09Pixiedust1234
Spidey66

Maybe don't click on the threads then? Just an idea

I know this is almost victim blaming but I am really disappointed that Chris Rock is not pressing charges.

What message does this send out to people who are being physically abused....that even when there's cameras on you people can still get away it.

Arrested for slapping someone???

This has nothing to do with me, you or anyone on MN. There are far bigger issues facing the world at the moment - time to move on.

Itreallywasnt. On the scale of male toxicity it barely moved the needle. Go look at the war in Ukraine if you want to see male toxicity at its worst

Of course it's not comparable to Ukraine ffs 🙄. What a conclusion to jump to.

But a male humiliating a woman on worldwide television with an audience of millions, due to a medical condition, and another male assaulting someone live on stage to a worldwide audience of millions is pretty fucking toxic in my opinion.

There is allowed to be more than one way to show toxic masculinity, which doesn't have to be on the scale of the Ukranian war.

@SquirrelG

Arrested for slapping someone???

This has nothing to do with me, you or anyone on MN. There are far bigger issues facing the world at the moment - time to move on.

We are allowed to talk about things other than the biggest and most pressing issues. It doesn't mean those issues are less important. Maybe a news based site would suit you better? Most of the discussions on Mumsnet are somewhat frivolous.

@Im2022

Don’t really care. But if you’re talking about consequences, then strip Weinstein, Spacey and Woody Allen off their awards and ban them and give James Franco and others like him a life time ban.

Loads of hypocrisy and shit.

Agreed

Don't like the options.

@empireemmy exactly. I can't imagine even picking my nose infront of one person never mind slapping someone infront of hundreds of thousands of viewers.

Yanbu. After reading about Chris Rock's history (bullying and serial assault) I'm disgusted that will smith isn't being 'cancelled'. I'm against cancel culture, but I can't believe the double standard here.

*sexual assault

Sorry for starting this thread: I don’t visit MN that regularly and wasn’t aware how many there were 😳

I think that Will Smith could of expressed his disapproval in a more diplomatic way. Also as a feminist, I would be a bit annoyed if my husband stood up for me by punching someone (technically a former colleague) who made a slightly tasteless joke. I stand up for myself, thank you very much!

I think people were shocked when he started swearing as they realised it wasn’t a joke and he was really angry. It should also be noted that the f word is not allowed on Terrestrial television in the US even if it’s late in the evening. (hence why it was censored in their broadcast).

If Chris Rock doesn’t want to charge then that is his choice. Although I as an Pleb would, I can understand why he doesn’t want to however as he is already facing a lot of time in the media for the wrong reasons and likely doesn’t want to escalate and prolong the unwanted attention he is receiving. That being said, I believe the Academy can as it happened at their event, and it should be noted that the Los Angeles police are allowed to prosecuted themselves under Californian Law.

Agree that anyone convected of a crime against another when working professionally should be banned. I believe that James Franco has been banned.

@katicomps

The only thing I got from it was 'man gets aggressive with little to no provocation and then cries and whines how sorry he is .… in a completely non apologetic way' It's the same old story of men the world over.

Aside from yet another bloody thread about this incident, I think this is true. He’s behaved badly, got more backlash than he expected and offered up a crap non apology. You know the type: “sorry if I upset you…”

and rape in 2017, that Chris Rock?

You can dislike WS's action without trying to say CR is a chronic victim. Real people are complicated.

Did Jada say she felt humiliated? There's almighty projection to assume any of us knows how she felt. If we're gossiping, I get impression she's the dominant character in that marriage, insisted on it being an open marriage, is boss of the family decisions, etc. She's nobody's inferior.

I may not be able to defend his actions but I certainly wouldn't single them out either.

The "morality" of the episode is far from clear cut.

There are some interesting points to be explored about male violence (literal and verbal) and Hollywood's complicity in encouraging, normalising and condoning (sometimes by its inaction as well as actions).... But hoisting Will Smith up as the worst offender on this charge is... morally dubious.

The "morality" of the episode is far from clear cut.

I'd say it was crystal clear.

You can't physically assault someone because you don't like what they say. It's that simple.