Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Home
Progressive Christian
Sports and Religion
Culture clash – Chris Rock and Will Smith

Culture clash – Chris Rock and Will Smith

Last updated on: March 28, 2022 at 7:41 pm by Jim Meisner Jr.

Culture clash – Chris Rock and Will Smith 2022-03-28T19:41:38-04:00 Jim Meisner Jr.

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Christ Rock made a bad joke about Jada Pinkett Smith and Smith’s husband Will walked onstage and hit Chris Rock. Smith went back to his seat and minutes later, won an Oscar.

This is our culture.

Resorting to violence is a natural impulse of an actor in violent movies and passively witnessing the natural impulse of audiences watching. Perhaps, this could be a pre-planned comedy bit. Who knows what people were thinking as they sat by and watched a man assault someone.

This is our culture.

It easily could have been Faith Hill being insulted and her husband Tim McGraw slapping an offender.

The Academy condemned Will Smith’s actions and opened a formal review of the incident.

Will Smith’s actions were not acceptable. His golden reputation took a serious hit on what should have been one of his greatest nights.

Striking someone is reprehensible.

Of course, his Oscar should remain his, but, as one reporter said, there’s now an asterisk next to his name.

Smith may try to excuse his behavior but there is no excuse.

Violence isn’t the answer. It’s never an answer, regardless of the question. No matter how reprehensible or how bad the joke, violence isn’t the answer.

Excuses are just that, excuses.

Smith’s slap degraded and humiliated Rock.

Smith needs to deeply consider who he is as a person. Not as an actor or a man or a husband, but simply as a person who recognizes the humanity of others.

EDIT%%%

As I posted this, Will Smith posted his statement on Facebook

Will Smith

21m ·

Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable. Jokes at my expense are a part of the job, but a joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally.

I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness.

I would also like to apologize to the Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees and everyone watching around the world. I would like to apologize to the Williams Family and my King Richard Family. I deeply regret that my behavior has stained what has been an otherwise gorgeous journey for all of us.

I am a work in progress.

Sincerely,

Will

culture

in the news

Will Smith slapping Chris Rock

Previous Post

February 6, 2022

A new alternative to traditional funerals – composting

Next Post

March 29, 2022 The lost -- notes for a sermon

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Celtic spirituality Christmas Civil Rights culture Easter Faith images in the news Prayer Quote Scripture Uncategorized vocational ministry Writing

Select a Month August 2026 July 2026 May 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 July 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 July 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 October 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who was healed of leprosy after washing in the Jordan River?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Aaron Moses Naaman Gehazi