Will Smith is banned from the Oscars and other Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences events for 10 years due to his slap of Chris Rock. OK, I get it that physical assault does not have approval, but a man can stand there and insult another man’s wife (intentional or not) and verbal assault is allowed. Verbal assault it is, whether we want to say someone has a right to free speech. Obviously, Smith felt the insult to his wife and he went into protect mode. JadaPinkett Smith’s lack of hair was used by Chris Rock for his humor in his performance.
Does that mean Rock will insult someone in a wheelchair because they need that vehicle? How about someone with a fake leg due to amputation? How far does it go that it is OK to snark at someone with your words, yet society deems a physical retaliation not acceptable? Neither words nor physical retaliation should be accepted as right, but rules are condemning one man and giving the initiator free rein.
I respect Will Smith for being the kind of husband who defends his wife. Will the academy seriously be looking at insulting language or language seen to be insulting to not be allowed, or are they just going to turn their heads and accept putting down someone verbally as acceptable and sanctioned?
Kath Allen
Peterborough