Where There’s a Will (Smith) There’s a Way

What a week! The infamous Oscar slap had everyone’s head in a talespin! How could “hollywood’s golden boy” ever be human and show an emotion that we don’t agree with at a moment that will change history forever!? How will humanity survive this 2 second slap!? I’m kidding, it was shocking and that’s why I thought it was a joke, like a skit, yano? Apparently so did Michael Bay, Bad Boys Director…

Hollywood Do’s & Don’ts Remember the era when celebs randomly made out with each other without consent!? Thank god they aren’t doing that anymore right? Shock value gone wrong… Oh, celebs… So, what’s acceptable and what’s not? From random kisses, to slaps, to hurtful jokes? Hollywood is re-evaluating… My only regret is that Will’s oscar win was overshadowed by his poor choice to react and that’s what will be remembered, not the win of his first Oscar. He should’ve won so many more, have you seen, The Pursuit of Happiness? I Am Legend? Ali? The list goes on and on…

Team Will or Team Chris? Then everyone jumped at the opportunity to voice their opinions like it really mattered, like suddenly they had never made a bad decision in their lives and the world was now coming to an end. They would be saved (by whom?) and Will would be annihilated. Their reputations would forever be redeemed, while Will becomes the example of never being seen as human on the worlds stage. All of comedy is Team Chris and this is the moment of truth… Will the real Will Smith fans and supporters please stand up? (Slim shady reference for anyone who didn’t get it)

You’re Canceled! We asked for it right? The era of calling people out of the shadows for their evils and bringing them to light! The year of getting even with our opposers and rejecting oppression. Cancel culture has now arrived amongst Hollywood’s finest and while you can get away with accidently murdering a human being if you’re Alec Baldwin, you will receive severe punishment if you slap someone at an awards show. Banned from attending any of the Academy awards events online or in person for ten years, yes a decade! I guess that resigning his membership from the Academy immediately following the incident wasn’t enough… Or making them look bad for not immediately removing him from his seat? Apparently, they “asked” him to leave, meanwhile none of us saw anyone attempt to escort Will Smith, instead we saw Bradley Cooper and Denzil Washington exchanging what seemed to be words of comfort to the actor. Maybe they (the Academy) felt like the whole thing was a slap in the face? You be the judge, does the crime match the punishment? Has anyone else been banned from the Oscars? Hmm I wonder what for?

Three words: Red Talk Table! I think it’s only right that Jada and Will again approach the RTT and put it all out there, play by play… A lot of people have also been discussing relationship dynamics, due to the fact that they have had other partners and appear to have an open marriage.

Let’s Unpack these Emotions It was an emotional night, it was an emotionally triggering joke for Will’s wife, Jada, who has struggled with hair loss publicly speaking on it… Honestly if a friend joked about my partners medical condition or any other sensitive subject matter, I too would have an initial, emotional outburst… It’s the fierce, overprotector in me, who will most likely stand up for the person who can’t stand up for themselves… What if it were Jada who got up there and slapped him? While I’m not condoning violence, I’m saying that I sympathize with the situation. As a colleague, however and on the National stage, I would’ve preferred he kissed Jada’s head in support of her instead of peacocking his masculine pride (that he is not known for) for the world to see “I ain’t no punk!” Imagining what’s going through Will’s mind at the moment… “Keep my wife’s name out your effen mouth!” Walking onto stage and approaching Chris Rock the way he did. Then extending his hand in the best performed slap of the decade. You’ve seen the videos, I don’t have to post them here. For the sake of the article I will however post these pictures.

Here is where trauma shows up… Chris Rock has also spoke on being bullied and physically reacting by hurting the bully so badly that he ended up in the hospital. I believe he was very young when that happened… A video resurfaced with him relaying the incident and saying that he’s been afraid to defend himself since. Is this a case of the bullied becoming the bully? Hey, it happens and comedy is just the right medium for it. I digress…

Then there’s Will’s trauma, growing up with an abusive, alcoholic Father. I hate to admit it but sometimes we become the people we fear the most. Hey Will, if you haven’t already dealt with it, that’s a great place to start. There’s so much emphasis on his marriage or his emasculated image, the real work always begins with the family who raised you, or, your first family. Will has his family to think about, a mere lapse in judgment showed maybe his true colors, shadow-self, true nature that no one, not even himself has ever seen? How do his kids really feel? Jaden got it and tweeted, “that’s how we do it.” How does Willow and Jada feel? Will they bring it to RTT? I sure do hope so! Meanwhile Chris Rock has claimed that he won’t speak on it until he’s paid. Let the saga begin… One things for sure, there won’t be another slap for a decade, or Will there?