In watching the broadcast I thought Chris Rock made a flattering remark about Jada Smith equating her to a fit and athletic Demi Moore in an empowered role. Hence his reference to being nice (compared to the roasting he gave everyone else in the front row). Unless you knew Jada's medical history it is reasonable to think her hairstyle was a choice given shes hand very short hair before and looks good with short/no hair. I thought he was just being nice to acknowledge her presence given he roasted her a few years ago when she boycott the event.
Isnt the bigger issue the an employee was assualted at an event and may be a member of an industry union that is meant to protect and advocate for its members. The victim not wanting to personally file a claim appears irrelevent. The Academy as employer has a responsibility to protect its employees (no matter how indirect the subcontact). What the Academy did was make a situation worse by giving an award and standing ovation to someone that committed a crime at their event. The Academy, SAG, security contractors, guests along with the broadcaster and viewers could all reasoably file complaints and persue issues against Mr Smith for harm and distress.
LAPD statment that they would not do anything as the victim didnt make a complaint is utter BS. Its unacceptable to expect Chris Rock to risk potential further harm and embarasement to his career (and personal life) by standing alone to file a complaint after being completely abandoned and betrayed by his employer and so many peers who gave standing ovation to a criminal less than an hour after the assault at the same venue.
Never has a crime had so many live witnesses, virtual witnesses and video evidence. The Academy arguably owe a bigger appology than Will Smith as the coverup was a commercially driven disgrace that caused more harm. The Academy as the organisers should file a police report and provide evidence.
Re the 'defending wifes honour' over 'medical condition'. Thats nonesense similar to the excuse agressors may use for domestic violence. Seriously. Will Smith has previously cracked jokes about people being bald on tv. Had he punched Regina Hall for her joke about their open relationship. Would that be acceptable? Personal matters of marital fidelity can be offesive. There is no excuse for the assault. It was just a case of one person getting angry and lacking selfcontrol.
EVERYTHING you just said. And you brought up some additional issues that aren't being addressed that much, especially about Rock "standing alone to file a complaint after being completely abandoned and betrayed by his employer and so many peers who gave a standing ovation to a criminal less than an hour after the assault at the same venue."
Mar 29, 2022·edited Mar 29, 2022Liked by Stacey Eskelin
Oooo, lots of good comments here! I agree with what you say, Stacey. It's much more a rich versus poor issue, which is what I write about on my newsletter, as you know.
I must say that for whatever reasons, I LOVE watching the Academy Awards and in the past have always had parties for the occasion and will in the future. So I'm a bit biased...I honestly don't think though, that Rock's joke was offense—as you pointed out, it was about her hair and not her. Who cares in the first place why she shaved her head? Yes, in a perfect world, no one would comment publicly on a woman's appearance or choice of dress, but that's not where we are and don't think we will ever be. And do you see those folks preening in front of the cameras, both men and women? They want comments made about their appearance, they just have to take the flattering with the insults. I think Will Smith is a jerk for his inflamed, inappropriate reaction-I wish he would face charges. And I think Rock's ability to calmly carry on with his presenting duties showed a lot of class. I'm sure many will take umbrage with that!
"They have to take the flattery with the insults." TRUTH. And I happen to love your newsletter. I wish more people were as knowledgeable and informed and articulate as you are on the subject.
One of the things that strikes me (so to speak) is that had the person Smith slapped* been white, under otherwise identical circumstances, we'd be looking at a very different reaction. Because they are both black, the systemic racism comes into play by dismissing them both as not really human. (Recall how Michael Brown's killer justified himself before the (white) grand jury by dehumanizing Brown, describing him as "a demon." Of course, all cops have to do to justify murdering someone is claim that they felt their lives were in danger. This becomes automatically credible when the person murdered is black.)
*A Cavil: technically, it was a slap, not a punch. A punch is with a closed fist; Smith struck Rock with an open hand, making it a slap. This will also contribute to the lack of legal action against Smith, since a slap is viewed as inherently less violent.
I've seen, heard, and read so many different takes on this contretemps, and I'm frankly sick of it, for a number of reasons you laid out. We tut-tut disapprovingly, even though ultimately nothing will be done, though if you or I had done the same thing we'd already be rotting in an LA County Jail cell.
Justice isn't blind, it's directly related to one's fame and the size of one's bank account. It's one of the many things wrong with this country, and yes, much of it has to do with skin color. Donald Trump really COULD shoot someone in the middle of 5th Avenue and get away with it. And he's not alone.
Justice isn't blind. It's as corrupt as Spiro Agnew's ghost.
In watching the broadcast I thought Chris Rock made a flattering remark about Jada Smith equating her to a fit and athletic Demi Moore in an empowered role. Hence his reference to being nice (compared to the roasting he gave everyone else in the front row). Unless you knew Jada's medical history it is reasonable to think her hairstyle was a choice given shes hand very short hair before and looks good with short/no hair. I thought he was just being nice to acknowledge her presence given he roasted her a few years ago when she boycott the event.
Isnt the bigger issue the an employee was assualted at an event and may be a member of an industry union that is meant to protect and advocate for its members. The victim not wanting to personally file a claim appears irrelevent. The Academy as employer has a responsibility to protect its employees (no matter how indirect the subcontact). What the Academy did was make a situation worse by giving an award and standing ovation to someone that committed a crime at their event. The Academy, SAG, security contractors, guests along with the broadcaster and viewers could all reasoably file complaints and persue issues against Mr Smith for harm and distress.
LAPD statment that they would not do anything as the victim didnt make a complaint is utter BS. Its unacceptable to expect Chris Rock to risk potential further harm and embarasement to his career (and personal life) by standing alone to file a complaint after being completely abandoned and betrayed by his employer and so many peers who gave standing ovation to a criminal less than an hour after the assault at the same venue.
Never has a crime had so many live witnesses, virtual witnesses and video evidence. The Academy arguably owe a bigger appology than Will Smith as the coverup was a commercially driven disgrace that caused more harm. The Academy as the organisers should file a police report and provide evidence.
Re the 'defending wifes honour' over 'medical condition'. Thats nonesense similar to the excuse agressors may use for domestic violence. Seriously. Will Smith has previously cracked jokes about people being bald on tv. Had he punched Regina Hall for her joke about their open relationship. Would that be acceptable? Personal matters of marital fidelity can be offesive. There is no excuse for the assault. It was just a case of one person getting angry and lacking selfcontrol.
EVERYTHING you just said. And you brought up some additional issues that aren't being addressed that much, especially about Rock "standing alone to file a complaint after being completely abandoned and betrayed by his employer and so many peers who gave a standing ovation to a criminal less than an hour after the assault at the same venue."
Oh, hello.
Oooo, lots of good comments here! I agree with what you say, Stacey. It's much more a rich versus poor issue, which is what I write about on my newsletter, as you know.
I must say that for whatever reasons, I LOVE watching the Academy Awards and in the past have always had parties for the occasion and will in the future. So I'm a bit biased...I honestly don't think though, that Rock's joke was offense—as you pointed out, it was about her hair and not her. Who cares in the first place why she shaved her head? Yes, in a perfect world, no one would comment publicly on a woman's appearance or choice of dress, but that's not where we are and don't think we will ever be. And do you see those folks preening in front of the cameras, both men and women? They want comments made about their appearance, they just have to take the flattering with the insults. I think Will Smith is a jerk for his inflamed, inappropriate reaction-I wish he would face charges. And I think Rock's ability to calmly carry on with his presenting duties showed a lot of class. I'm sure many will take umbrage with that!
"They have to take the flattery with the insults." TRUTH. And I happen to love your newsletter. I wish more people were as knowledgeable and informed and articulate as you are on the subject.
One of the things that strikes me (so to speak) is that had the person Smith slapped* been white, under otherwise identical circumstances, we'd be looking at a very different reaction. Because they are both black, the systemic racism comes into play by dismissing them both as not really human. (Recall how Michael Brown's killer justified himself before the (white) grand jury by dehumanizing Brown, describing him as "a demon." Of course, all cops have to do to justify murdering someone is claim that they felt their lives were in danger. This becomes automatically credible when the person murdered is black.)
*A Cavil: technically, it was a slap, not a punch. A punch is with a closed fist; Smith struck Rock with an open hand, making it a slap. This will also contribute to the lack of legal action against Smith, since a slap is viewed as inherently less violent.
I've been thinking about what the ramifications would have been if one or both men had been white. A lot.
I've seen, heard, and read so many different takes on this contretemps, and I'm frankly sick of it, for a number of reasons you laid out. We tut-tut disapprovingly, even though ultimately nothing will be done, though if you or I had done the same thing we'd already be rotting in an LA County Jail cell.
Justice isn't blind, it's directly related to one's fame and the size of one's bank account. It's one of the many things wrong with this country, and yes, much of it has to do with skin color. Donald Trump really COULD shoot someone in the middle of 5th Avenue and get away with it. And he's not alone.
Justice isn't blind. It's as corrupt as Spiro Agnew's ghost.
BOOM! You got a gift, Jack. You just do.
You know, it would be a shame to waste it, wouldn't it? :-)