Letters to the Editor: By assaulting Chris Rock, the actor gave in to toxic masculinity, one Academy member writes. (via latimesopinion)
As an Academy member, I voted for Will Smith as best actor for his sensitive, nuanced performance in “King Richard.” In the movie, Smith’s character approaches the world with a firm but gentle grace as he stands up to toxic masculinity while never giving into it. In real life,By physically assaulting Rock on live television, Smith undermined everything his character stands for and all that this portrayal was about.
Now, like many others, I’m left wondering what’s next after what seems like one of the darkest periods in his public life.I hope Hollywood is ashamed after the Oscars. Yet it is not the rash actions of a celebrity or the insensitive joke of another celebrity that should cause America to hang its head today.
That is why it is doubly offensive to hear that phrase applied not to the suffering and political tension in Ukraine but to the latest Hollywood soap opera. There are shots being heard around the world today, not slaps. Wake up, America.Chris Rock’s joke was in poor taste. Jada Pinkett Smith’s reaction in the moment would have told me that, if hadn’t known it already. Rock should have known better.
Then I watched Smith’s acceptance speech. I believe he knew he made a mistake and was heartily sorry. The rest of us should focus on two : “Love will make you do crazy things,” and “At your highest moment, be careful, that’s when the devil comes for you,” and try to live accordingly.tweeted that “it’s a very bad practice to walk up on stage and physically assault a Comedian. Now we all have to worry about who wants to be the next Will Smith in comedy clubs and theaters.” Well put. The academy has since condemned Smith’s actions and launched an investigation.