Male violence at the Oscars

[RoseslnTheHospital]

Is anyone else disappointed at the reaction to Will Smith's display of aggression at the Oscars? I am really surprised that they didn't have any security staff to remove him from the room when it was apparent what he had done. Everyone there just seemed paralysed into inaction. And then to see all those other men (Denzel Washington, Tyler Perry, Bradley Cooper) consoling and reassuring him, rather than escorting him out.

I'm also disappointed by the wider reaction, with so many people justifying his behaviour due to the (unfunny and vile) joke about his wife. I also think that it's a massive shame for Venus and Serena, that he has won an Oscar for a film about their lives, and yet this is the focus.

@Clymene

This is why we have a problem with male violence. Because so many people think it's okay in some circumstances. So the lines get blurred.

Either violence is okay or it isn't. The moment you start putting conditions on it, understanding it, you start condoning it.

Agree. I'm horrified at the amount of people who think it is justifiable. I can't understand why he wasn't immediately removed from the premises (well I can, hollywood men are seemingly untouchable for the most part).

It was a crass joke, though not worst that these 'roasting' events have thrown up. Perhaps the Academy are going to have to rethink their format going forward.

I'm on the fence about how I feel about that because I don't think anyone would enjoy it going back to sycophantic fawning of A listers but the jibes are hit and miss.

There have been some well aimed shots in the past at individuals known for unpleasant conduct that Hollywood is turning a blind eye to. Then others, like this one, making fun of someone's hair loss are just mean and uncalled for.

What a fabulous example he is to all the young men in the world. Disrespect their partners and it's ok to be violent, because as Will so nobly said "love can make you do crazy things" and who's to argue against love, eh?

Either violence is ok or it isn't
That's an opinion. Some of us think it can be justified in certain circumstances. No one is condemning the Ukrainian army for fighting back against the Russians for example, and demanding they only resort to peaceful protest.

I think violence is never great but it can be quite effective and there can also be worse things.

It wasn't staged - and if it was Will Smith needs to sack every advisor he's got

I hope people don't really think it was staged. Why would one of the worlds most successful and popular actors, on the cusp of being awarded the greatest honour possible, jeopardise his entire career and reputation to help the Oscars out?

RoseslnTheHospital

Rock's refusal to press charges can be interpreted as this incident being planned and rehearsed. The fact this happened when Smith has a new movie and this incident has created so much free publicity makes this incident suspect.

Oh Men, when will you learn to deal with your feelings without using your fists? And how can you be trusted with anything until you do?

@Porcupineintherough

Either violence is ok or it isn't That's an opinion. Some of us think it can be justified in certain circumstances. No one is condemning the Ukrainian army for fighting back against the Russians for example, and demanding they only resort to peaceful protest.

I think violence is never great but it can be quite effective and there can also be worse things.

This is not a war.

I wrote a long response but I can't be bothered with the stupidity.

It's daft to think this is some kind d of publicity for his current movie or some kind of promo for the Oscars.

Regarding violence, I think we all can recognise that using physical force in self defence, or a situation like the invasion of Ukraine when defending your country against invading troops is completely different to hitting a man because he insulted your wife. And self defence is not what is meant when feminists talk about male violence.

@DontLikeCrumpets

"Violence" like this creates a buzz. This is essentially a free advert for Smith's movie as well as an opportunity to reframe the Oscars as edgy,tense and unpredictable.

I put violence is quotation marks as I think Smith pulled his punched and Rock rehearsed as reaction.

Buzz doesn't always translate into profit though.

The meme is that "there's no such thing as bad publicity"; well, in reality, there is.

The question here is whether or not Will Smith has pulled a "Ratner" on himself and/or the Oscars.

As far as I understand it, the American entertainment world is weird about certain things: nudity, swearing (the f-bomb), and certain types of scandal, while they are not that too fussed about violence. In some ways, many elements of the US mainstream audience will be more appalled by Smith's bad language than the assault.

There was a long running story about a certain celebrity's failure to crack the US largely because of his indiscreet affairs. Hollywood A listers didn't like it because they don't want to be pulled into that type of scandal.

There could be words said by certain key players who just do not want to be at an event where something like that takes place again. These people pay millions to protect their wholesome public image; they won't want to be pictured at an event where a man aggressively swears on live television and hits a compare.

Addictions and rehab are different though. There's a redemption arc possible here that US audiences like.

The only way Smith can turn this around is through "rehab" of some description, and even then, I think he's massively damaged his career by the bad language.

Self defence and the defence of others doesn't just happen in a war. "All violence is wrong" is just such a limited argument and yes, a stupid one.

This whole event confuses me. I could see it being planned / staged but then surely they would have acted differently in the aftermath. Their post incident actions seem counter to this being staged.

I have no idea if Chris Rock knew about Jada's alopecia. I didn't. Quite a few women shave their heads and it is seen as empowering / personal choice. I know a few black women with almost shaved heads and that is their preferred style of hair. I didn't even know why it was an insult when said. GI Jane / Demi Moore was seen as a strong woman - not something connected to an insult. And if Chris Rock did know - was this common enough knowledge that it would be expected that everyone in the audience knew that Jada has a condition that causes hair loss and that no comments should be made about her style.

I looked at Jada's instagram - and it seems she has eyebrows and upper and lower lashes in all her pictures. Maybe that is all tattoo, make-up, fake lashes? Are we sure she doesn't shave her head? She has some pictures with short but not shaved hair in the past few weeks. Hard to know when pictures are taken.

And to resort to violence and go up and hit someone after laughing initially at the 'joke'. None of this makes sense to me.

Staged surely

@Porcupineintherough

Self defence and the defence of others doesn't just happen in a war. "All violence is wrong" is just such a limited argument and yes, a stupid one.

I'm guessing you didn't grow up in a violent house? If you did, you'd know what I mean.

Because that drip, drip corrosive erosion of boundaries is what gives men the ability to punch their wives in the face and slap their children and still sleep at night. Because they tell themselves that it was justified.

It's what makes men feel that it's okay to punch and stamp on a bloke who made a silly joke.

This isn't self defence and it's not defence of others. It's just violence.

@DontLikeCrumpets

"Violence" like this creates a buzz. This is essentially a free advert for Smith's movie as well as an opportunity to reframe the Oscars as edgy,tense and unpredictable.

I put violence is quotation marks as I think Smith pulled his punched and Rock rehearsed as reaction.

Except now I will actively avoid seeing this film. Publicity but questionable about whether it will assist the film at the Box Office.

I heard about the hoo-ha on the radio this morning but didn’t see the clip until this evening. It was worse than I was expecting.

@Porcupineintherough

Either violence is ok or it isn't That's an opinion. Some of us think it can be justified in certain circumstances. No one is condemning the Ukrainian army for fighting back against the Russians for example, and demanding they only resort to peaceful protest.

I think violence is never great but it can be quite effective and there can also be worse things.

Are you seriously trying to compare this with Ukraine defending itself?

Yes I grew up in a violent household w with plenty of examples of toxic masculinity and misogyny.

No I dont think Will Smith's actions were justified.

Neither do I think that all violence is wrong.

@Wartywart

What a fabulous example he is to all the young men in the world. Disrespect their partners and it's ok to be violent, because as Will so nobly said "love can make you do crazy things" and who's to argue against love, eh?

That glib comment from Smith is revolting. It's the sort of excuse trotted out by thugs who beat up a partner who has been or is suspected of being unfaithful.

@Porcupineintherough

Yes I grew up in a violent household w with plenty of examples of toxic masculinity and misogyny.

No I dont think Will Smith's actions were justified.

Neither do I think that all violence is wrong.

You are missing the point spectacularly. What the Ukrainians are doing is a response to violence. They are defending themselves against violence.

Oh and when I was growing up the violence was not the worst thing. It did less damage than the emotional abuse.

@Midlifemusings she has alopecia and as a result has worn a turban in the past but now shaves what remains off. There are different types of alopecia, and it can be better or worse at times. Not all people with alopecia lose all their body hair. It can just affect the scalp.

I think the attempt at humour from Chris Rock was to imply that the only reason for a shaved head was for an acting role. As in, what woman would have a shaved head otherwise? Ie it's not attractive, feminine and so on. It's not funny because he is "punching down" and wittingly or not, making jokes at the expense of someone with a medical condition she cannot help.

Chris Rock has previously made jokes about the Smith's marriage and careers, and Rebel Wilson also joked about their relationship at the BAFTAs which produced a response statement from Will Smith. So he was obviously sensitive about the topic before the Oscars show. Only Will Smith knows what triggered him to move to a physical attack in that moment. He either thought it was a justified response or was unable to control his reactions. Neither of which are reasonable responses.

@KimikosNightmare I was responding to the claim that "violence is always wrong".

Violence can be a very useful response to violence. And also to other forms of abuse and sometimes even to the threat of it. In my opinion.

He either thought it was a justified response or was unable to control his reactions. Neither of which are reasonable responses.

I only watched it once, and the casual, almost sauntering gait walking onto the stage was belied by the fuming, spitting rage of what he said back in his chair.

The slap was so casual and detached, it was odd. But the targeted rage back in his seat left no doubt that he was out of control, in my opinion.

And it did look drink fuelled, to me. That obliviousness of the optics.

It’s quite ludicrous for people to suggest it was staged. Why would you stage something that makes you look like a complete arsehole?

I' might have felt justified in slapping him if he'd said it to me, so I don't really think Smith was out of order particularly. Though really those kinds of events are bound to make people cross lines. Chris Rock is a shit, though.

@MangyInseam

I' might have felt justified in slapping him if he'd said it to me, so I don't really think Smith was out of order particularly. Though really those kinds of events are bound to make people cross lines. Chris Rock is a shit, though.

Good grief.