The People Vs. Will Smith

Say what you will (get it), but Will Smith is probably one of the last true movie stars in the world. People will go to see his movies, not based on the plot or quality of the picture, but on his name alone. A nice sweet spot that many actors would love to be in. But with all of Will Smith’s Hollywood grandeur, his career could very well be defined by the 94th Oscars, which took place on March 27th, 2022. Famed Comedian, Chris Rock would hurl a joke with a misplaced intention at Jada Pinkett Smith that would end in the craziest Oscar moment of all time. Rock was presenting the award for Best Documentary and in comedian fashion threw a few zingers about the audience made up of the Hollywood Elite.

After joking about Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz he would turn his sights on Jada Pinkett Smith comparing her to G.I Jane with her ongoing alopecia. Even adding commentary to the joke as a “good one”. After Will laughed at the joke (which was intended to be in good fun), Smith presumably saw the reaction of his wife and decided to defend her honor by proceeding upstairs and committing an act of battery against the unsuspecting Rock. Afterward, Smith would return to his seat yelling to the flabbergasted Rock, “Keep my wife’s name out your f**king mouth,” to which Rock willingly agreed.

Since the incident, many people have flocked to social media and various other media platforms to leave their opinions on the matter. This article will do no different. I am not upset at either man in particular but at the situation as a whole. Rock is known to be a gaslighting comedian and pressed the issue. It’s hard to believe that Rock didn’t know that Pinkett-Smith was going through alopecia, especially knowing that the three are all well acquainted.

I am upset first at Chris Rock for making a joke regarding a black woman's hair after making the acclaimed, Good Hair. I am then upset at Smith for responding by jumping on stage to target another black man, knowing that he might not have done that had it been Jimmy Kimmel making the joke. I am upset at the incident overshadowing all the historical achievements of the night. Achievements like Samuel L. Jackson winning his first Oscar. Achievements like Ariana Debose becoming the first queer woman of color to win an oscar, Troy Kutsur being the first deaf man to win an Oscar, and many more unsung moments.

All of these moments should live in eternity and be celebrated long after their emergence. But what makes me the most upset is the example that these two men set for the Black community and for the children who look up to them. Because of the actions of these two men, who both should have known better, the historical achievements made will now be regarded as the second most exciting thing to happen at the 94th Oscars.