Let's talk about "the Slap."
Of course, I'm referring to the recent Academy Awards show in which comedian Chris Rock told a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith's hair loss, prompting husband Will Smith to march up to the stage and slap Rock in the face.
Based on what I've seen and heard, celebrities and news makers--with a few exceptions--are condemning Smith, characterizing his action as "violence" and "assault." The Academy has banned Smith for ten years and some are wondering if he should be stripped of his "Best Actor" Oscar, exiled for life from Academy programs, or even arrested for his "crime."
Since everyone else is weighing in, here are a few brief, off-the-top-of-my-head observations:
1. Will Smith should not have slapped Chris Rock. Smith has said as much in an apology to the Academy and to Rock. Will the Academy and/or Chris Rock formally accept the apology?
Why, back in my day (putting on old man voice), the acceptance of an apology was a pathway to putting an unpleasant incident behind us. Nowadays, accepting an apology is tantamount to surrendering your soul and worldview to whatever enemy offended you.
2. If comedians or parodists can be attacked for their comedy, it will have a chilling effect on the art. That is not to defend some so-called "comedy," much of which, in my humble opinion, consists of cheap shots, crude language, and pointless ad hominems. But if a critic can punch out a bad comic, then what is to stop him from punching out a good comic with whom he takes exception? Hey, if I don't like a comedian, I express my displeasure by changing the channel and voicing my opinion to others.
3. Many folks are rushing to Chris Rock's side for his dignity and composure in light of a public, humiliating incident. I too commend Mr. Rock for the way he has handled this. Things could have gotten ugly real fast, but sometimes, all it takes is for someone to walk away.
4. On the other hand, Rock's joke about Jada Pinkett Smith was tasteless and uncalled for. Comedians, pundits, actors, commentators, and stars have been "cancelled" for far less. The near silence of commentary about the joke speaks proverbially louder than the slap itself.
5. Back to a previous point: Will Smith should not have slapped Chris Rock. But does not motive matter here? Is no one standing beside Will Smith and at least attempting to understand his anger? Smith took action in defense of his wife. Back in the old days (there I go again), this was--dare I say--normal. I cannot or will not defend the slap. It was a poor choice in a public venue that upset a lot of people. But, even so, I do see a certain chivalrous nobility here. Smith was not some wild-eyed thug seeking to beat up a helpless host, but a husband defending his wife's honor. That's got to count for something. Call me naive ("you're naive!"), call me old-fashioned ("you're old fashioned!"), but I don't see a lot of "Hollywood" holding to values of honor and chivalry these days.
6. Whenever I see people profess faith at one moment and yell angry profanity the next, it causes a huge disconnect in my brain. Celebrities who are Christians are particularly susceptible to this. Everyone is watching for the slip up, the slur, or the slap in order to brand the star as a hypocrite or even laugh off Christian faith as irrelevant. I'm not sure what my point is here, just that if Will Smith is a genuine believer, his fame is going to mean an extraordinary amount of scrutiny and pressure on him. A lesson for all of us to guard our hearts.
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