It's a Man's World: The Oscars' Leniency on Violence
By: Hadiyah Muhammad
Controversy isn’t foreign to Hollywood. In fact, it’s strangely encouraged in one way or another. Sometimes it’s comical, and sometimes it’s law-breaking behavior that often goes unnoticed by the inner sanctum of TV and film.
On the evening of Mar. 27, 2022, Hollywood gathered at the Oscars, as they have for the last 94 years, to present and award the most prestigious artists for their artistic and technical merit.
In the running for Best Actor was Will Smith, most known for his performance in the ‘90s sitcom “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” among other works. His recent portrayal of the indestructible Richard Williams, father to legendary sports figures Venus and Serena Williams, bears a strong resemblance to Will’s dedication to his own family, which was evident the night of the Oscars.
Chris Rock (left) reacts after being slapped on stage by Will Smith (right) at the 94th Academy Awards. Photo Credit: Chris Pizzello, Associated Press.
That same evening, Chris Rock would, in his own comedic fashion, tell a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith, Will’s wife of 25 years. The joke entailed a jab at Jada’s shaved head — which was later reported to be due to alopecia.
Will’s voice carried through the room as he shouted from his seat. At this point, it didn’t look and sound like the staged performance that typically happens at awards shows. The jokes and laughter were over, and reality began to set in for the audience and nearly 16.62 million viewers, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Will rose from his seat, strutted toward Chris Rock, and slapped him. It was no longer about Will shouting obscenities, or even the joke about Jada. The entire world had just seen Will Smith physically assault another actor.
In a matter of minutes, social media and news outlets were in a frenzy. Memes and video excerpts began circulating on Tik Tok and Instagram. Along with this media stampede, other celebrities began outpouring their disdain and even disgust for what happened. Comedian Amy Schumer made an Instagram post in which she recalled her feelings of being “triggered and traumatized.” Some even called for Will to be arrested and charged, though Chris Rock declined to press charges.
“That was the greatest night in the history of television,” Chris Rock stated after the initial smack.
Will returned to his seat and later that evening was awarded the honor of Best Actor for the film “King Richard.” During his acceptance speech, Will became emotional and praised Mr. Williams for being a “fierce defender of his family.” During the speech, Will made it a point to explain the responsibility he felt to protect his on-screen family while filming “King Richard.” Just like Richard, Will was essentially protecting his family from anybody and anything that could potentially harm them.
As the night dwindled into the next morning, the media and the world continued to digest the prior evening’s events. More celebrities clamored in front of cameras to spew their take on Will’s Oscar win and, of course, the now infamous smack.
But there were puzzle pieces missing from the 94th Academy Awards.
Yes, Will Smith was awarded for his performance. Yes, Chris Rock told an inappropriate joke about Will’s wife. Yes, Will smacked Chris Rock. But is this the first or even the last time Hollywood has seen and known about an act of violence? No, it isn’t.
Will committed an act of violence against another actor. It wouldn’t be completely out of the ordinary if nothing was done, just as it wasn’t out of the ordinary for multiple men within the Academy and film industry to never receive more than a slap on the wrist for their violence toward others. Harvey Weinstein, Roman Polanski, Woody Allen, and many others are known rapists and child abusers.
In 2020, disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein (center) was sentenced to 23 years for sexual assault and rape. Photo credit: Mark Lennihan, Associated Press.
Polanski, 68, was arrested in 1977 for the rape and drugging of a 13-year-old girl in Los Angeles. He fled the U.S. before his sentencing and hasn’t returned since. If he ever returns to the states, an immediate warrant will be sent for his arrest. His last Oscar win was in 2003 for his directorial work in “The Pianist.”
Woody Allen was once a beloved director and actor, though sexual abuse allegations from his adopted daughter, aged seven at the time, naturally dampened his career.
Harvey Weinstein was once one of the most formidable film producers of this generation. After 81 Oscar wins, he’s now a registered sex offender and sits in jail for the sexual harassment, assaults, and rape of over 100 women.
These men, including Will Smith, have two things in common: they were all expelled from the Academy (except for Allen, who was never officially a part of the Academy); and they’re all still Oscar winners. Will Smith has never been accused of any crimes such as the other men, but somehow the public and even some celebrities are asking for his Oscar to be revoked.
If anyone’s Oscars should be revoked, it should be the men who’ve committed heinous crimes against women and children. Will Smith, though he did commit an act of violence, only did so in defense of his family.