White outrage about Will Smith's slap is rooted in anti-Blackness. It's inequality in plain sight.

[luv2fly]

White outrage about Will Smith’s slap is rooted in anti-Blackness. It’s inequality in plain sight.
Tayo Bero
Tue 29 Mar 2022 05.36 EDT

"We do not condone violence.” “Assault is never the answer.” These words have echoed through all of my social media accounts since Will Smith slapped Chris Rock for making a poor-taste joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. The joke referenced Pinkett Smith’s shaved head, a decision she made due to her struggles with the autoimmune disease alopecia.

Most people agree the slap shouldn’t have happened. But there’s something that feels precious at best, and downright racist at worst, about white people’s reaction to the now-infamous smack. The Hollywood director Judd Apatow declared in a deleted tweet that Smith “could have killed” Rock (seriously?), calling it “​​pure out of control rage and violence”. Apatow later confirmed he wasn’t even watching the show when he made the remarks. The radio host Howard Stern compared Smith to Donald Trump, while white women on Twitter somehow decided that Smith’s actions meant he must be beating his wife. It would seem that there’s a layer of hyper-violence that’s being projected on to Smith simply because he is a Black man who was defending his Black wife.

While it’s justifiable – important, even – to interrogate his motives for delivering the slap (was this really all about defending his wife or more about his own ego?), it’s clear that the backlash against Smith is rooted in not just anti-Blackness, but respectability politics as well.

It’s also not just about what Smith did; it’s where he did it and who was watching. Anyone who has been following these shows can see that Smith is being held up to much stricter standards than white men who have behaved just as badly or even worse in those settings. In 1973, John Wayne had to be restrained by six security guards when he tried to rush the stage and attack the Native American actor and activist Sacheen Littlefeather. Littlefeather was on stage to accept the best actor award on behalf of Marlon Brando, who was boycotting the awards in protest at Hollywood’s depictions of Native Americans.

More at
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/mar/29/white-outrage-about-will-smiths-slap-is-rooted-in-anti-blackness-its-inequality-in-plain-sight

[milestogo]

1. I think they're both assholes. Is that anti-blackness too?

[Peregrine Took]

6. Amen. Both self indulgent millionaires many times over. n/r

[choie]

79. Amen #2

What bullshit!

[Baltimike]

82. Amen 3 nt

[BlackSkimmer]

2. Plenty of black folks didn't like it either.

What a generalization. Smh.

[dem4decades]

3. We're really comparing 2022 to 1973? Can the Smith defenders just admit he was an enraged ass?

He became out of control and violent then blamed love.

[BeyondGeography]

4. Wake me up when this is over

Thanks.

[Effete Snob]

5. If John Wayne had made it to the stage, there would have been outrage about that

It is absolutely ridiculous to compare an act that was witnessed by millions live on TV, to something that literally nobody but a few people in the room saw.

What bullshit.

[eissa]

7. It's anti-Black to support a Black man who was assaulted?

This is absolutely asinine. Many prominent African-Americans have come to Rock's defense and condemned Smith's actions, rightfully so.

And can we move on from this Neanderthal-ish trope that a man must resort to violence to protect his wife's honor? Jada was not physically attacked, she was at the receiving end of a joke at a show where celebrities have been routinely mocked for years. If assaulting someone over something that benign is now the norm, we have bigger problems.

I highly recommend everyone read Kareem Abdul-Jabar's thoughtful piece on this. Here's an excerpt:
The Black community also takes a direct hit from Smith. One of the main talking points from those supporting the systemic racism in America is characterizing Blacks as more prone to violence and less able to control their emotions. Smith just gave comfort to the enemy by providing them with the perfect optics they were dreaming of. Fox News host Jeanine Pirro wasted no time going full-metal jacket racist by declaring the Oscars are “not the hood.”


https://kareem.substack.com/p/will-smith-did-a-bad-bad-thing?s=r

[Cha]

33. TY.. Editing.. turns out not to be

Last edited Tue Mar 29, 2022, 10:12 PM - Edit history (1)

true.

💙💛

[FBaggins]

64. You actually don't

That didn’t come from Rock.

[Cha]

66. who did it come from

then? I asked the original poster for the source but haven't heard back.

TY!

💙💛

[FBaggins]

69. Don't know... but his team says it wasn't him.

[Cha]

71. Thanks.. good to know. I better

get about editing that out. Sigh.

I wish he would put out a statement.

💙💛

[Cha]

67. who did it come from

then? I asked the original poster for the source but haven't heard back.

TY!

💙💛

[FBaggins]

8. The author is something of a nut

I say that without any knowledge of who he or she is or what color their skin is.

A black comic offends a black actress and her black husband smacks the black comic. I can’t imagine what the “anti-blackness” position would be, but I can’t think of a rational theory that would support one of them above another.

Must have been a slow week on the racial relations desk and they were desperate for column inches.

[obamanut2012]

9. Chris Rock is a black man

[LexVegas]

13. The Smith defense is so cringe. nt

[LexVegas]

10. ...

[DemocratSinceBirth]

11. I'll make three points

1) This is a moment when DU could use more Black voices. 2) Chris shouldn't have disrespected Will's wife and Will shouldn't have slapped him. 3) The calls for Will's head have been over the top.

[BlackSkimmer]

15. I can only imagine if Rock had insulted Nicole Kidman, and Keith Urban slapped him.

I think the reaction here would be quite different lol.

[Sneederbunk]

19. Oh yes. To be seen through a racial lens.

[SharonClark]

22. How would it be different?

[Dr. Strange]

77. The people who are ignoring the fact that Chris Rock is black...

would suddenly recognize that Chris Rock is black.

[questionseverything]

28. IKR

[choie]

80. I'll make one point

That's crap. Has nothing to do with more Black voices. Many African Americans are disgusted by Will Smith's display of toxic masculinity.

[Drum]

12. Disagree

It was a fluid live situation. Everyone there had options. Nevertheless, what happened objectively did happen. We all saw it live on TV.

I cannot concur that my “outrage” (I’m white, btw) was in response to anything but my view on human social conduct, as well as what might be largely-accepted conventions of awards shows and stand-up comedy.

I refute the narrow conclusion cited. Such things as responses to events cited cannot simply be staked out as revealing racism and bias. That’s absurd. I can, and frequently must, take in and respond to what I see or experience. To damn that, to deny that to anyone of any sort on the basis of their complexion, is social suicide.

[exboyfil]

14. Seems security was a bit better in 1973

I do find it funny that the same folks who condemn Will Smith (and rightfully so) are all on board with Greg Gianforte. The GOP didn't kick him out when he body slammed and punched a reporter several times. Heck the voters of Montana rewarded him with a Congressional seat and the Governor's office.

They have never called to strip racer awards from NASCAR drivers who attack other drivers either (there can't be competitive consent to a battery in motor sports).

[Wingus Dingus]

16. Yuck. Will Smith lost his mind and acted like an angry lunatic at the Oscars.

It was shocking, narcissistic, and ruined everyone's night. And...that's really about it.

[arlyellowdog]

17. It's so annoying

Yeah, I’ve seen all those attacks on people asking for 0 tolerance for violence. There’s so much fighting in schools now. Kids are getting hurt. There has to be 0 tolerance of hitting. So, now saying there should be 0 tolerance of hitting is racist? Will Smith is first and foremost a big screen hero and role model. Just stop.

[YorkRd]

18. This foolish event fuels Republican votes

The black intelligentsia says only blacks should comment on this controversy that was seen around the world. Self “otherization”.

We live in a post post racial world where it’s ok to call out any rich man for toxic masculinty and bullying, no excuses.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

24. This is a post-racial world?

[obnoxiousdrunk]

20. I knew that there

was a white angle to the story.

[krawhitham]

21. What Bullshit

[exboyfil]

30. A few words he paid a publicist to write

I am expecting a bit more. The Academy should suspend him from all activities and eligibility for awards for the next three years. Hopefully the other awards shows follow suit.

Also SAG has to get involved. He assaulted and battered another SAG member at his workplace.

The Academy should have kicked him out that night before he collected his Oscar, but they missed the opportunity.


I actually think Chris Rock is making a mistake not filing a criminal complaint and he should also file a SAG complaint.

This is more than just Will Smith. Unless we want to entirely redefine what the meaning of fighting words and "honor" are in our society and go back to a more Jacksonian time.

[exboyfil]

45. Their excuse according to John Campea

was that it was too short of a time window to react.

Demonstrating my conclusion that they are impotent and ineffectual. I personally have an unpopular position regarding the Oscars and the activism demonstrated during the awards show - it is ham fisted and counterproductive and mutes whatever voice these entitled elites think they have. They need to clean that up as well. People are sitting down to watch an awards ceremony, and they don't want to be preached to (especially those who maintain a firmly held if woefully ignorant contrary position to what most of Hollywood maintains). Keep with the preaching and the Oscars will slide into further irrelevancy.

[exboyfil]

49. No they are that ineffectual

They tried to get the Board together to decide what to do.

While that was going on, the award show was continuing.

It seems they should have had a head of security that knew that anybody approaching the stage irrespective of who they are should be stopped, and definitely escorted out of the facility. I can see not stopping Smith because of his proximity to Rock (it was set up like a Comedy Club), but not showing him the door afterwards - that is pathetic.

Heads should roll in the Academy administration as well.

Here is a Variety article I just looked up.

https://variety.com/2022/film/news/why-will-smith-wasnt-ejected-from-oscars-chris-rock-slap-1235217098/

Escorting Smith out of the ceremony was discussed, the source said, though by the time any substantive scenarios were imagined, he had already been called up to the podium to accept an Oscar for his turn in “King Richard.” The show ended shortly thereafter, as a joyous atmosphere turned sour.

Another person close to the event pointed out that show producers did not want the optics of having security remove a beloved movie star from his seat, especially as Smith supporters highlighted the defense of his wife Jada Pinkett Smith. Rock’s joke about her bald head — a reference to Demi Moore’s “G.I. Jane” — invoked reference to Pinkett Smith’s open struggle with alopecia. The source indicated Rock’s joke was off the cuff, and not included in the script fed to him on teleprompters.

[Polly Hennessey]

51. Especially considering his language to Chris Rock

after he sat down and he made the statements twice.

[luv2fly]

44. +1 n/t

[Evergreen Emerald]

25. What bullshit.

eyeroll.

[Takket]

26. absolute drivel

full of generalizations and broad brush painting.

"while white women on Twitter somehow decided that Smith’s actions meant he must be beating his wife"

and brushing off people's legit concerns about domestic violence as rooted in racism is downright offensive.

[Deuce]

29. Chris on OJ...

“So you gotta look at OJ's situation. He's paying $25,000 a month in alimony, got another man driving around in his car and fucking his wife in a house he's still paying the mortgage on. Now I'm not saying he should have killed her... but I understand!”

[LexVegas]

31. Legendary set. nt

[tavernier]

34. Link

Please

[LexVegas]

36. It's a bit from one of his specials. Bring the Pain I think. nt

[tavernier]

39. TY n/t

[Deuce]

37. Last 30 seconds or so...

[tavernier]

40. TY n/t

[Mr.Bill]

60. One of the funniest things I have ever heard.

But I do have a warped sense of humor.

I think he could get some mileage out of "I'm not saying he should have hit me, but I understand."

[DemocratSinceBirth]

32. I'm not endorsing the article but as to this board it could use more Black voices.

[maxsolomon]

38. What is it rooted in if you just don't care?

Smith WASN'T stopped the way John Wayne was; he walked right up on stage with no one in his way. Can you imagine if security had restrained him?

Instead, Smith still got the Best Actor award Hollywood was been looking for a way to hand him. Rock isn't hurt and will undoubtedly make hay of it for years.

[exboyfil]

47. About the Wayne story

Does anybody have an independent source in addition to Sacheen Littlefeather? I am not saying it didn't happen, but a second source would be very useful.

[meadowlander]

41. Because nobody condemns white actors who are violent and unstable?

Except for:

Mel Gibson
Charlie Sheen
Johnny Depp
Russell Crowe
Christian Slater
Gary Busey
Mickey Rourke
Edward Furlong
Shia LaBoeuf
etc.

[Mr.Bill]

62. Some of those people

have made a living being parodies of themselves.

[standingtall]

43. What happened was one 53 year old man committed an act of violence on national TV

Sure there is plenty of racism in the world, but maybe the reason some people think Will Smith is violent is because oh yeah, he slapped a man on national TV for the entire world to see. Will Smith is not a victim. He is not a hero for what he did nor sure he be praised for standing up to bullying as some have said, because in he did was in fact bullying. The average everyday person assaults someone in their line of work regardless of the reason there done.

I actually like Will Smith and career should be ruined for this, but if it is no one should feel sorry for him. Stop with the deflections and the whataboutisms what he did was dead wrong I cannot be justified.

[maxsolomon]

50. His career won't be ruined.

Worst thing that will happen is the Oscars won't have him present an award next year.

Second worst thing is that they will, and we'll have to listen to him apologize.

Third worst is that both he, Rock, and Pinkett will come out, and we'll have to listen to them all talk about it.

[dixiechiken1]

53. Well said.

[Celerity]

46. Bero needs to buy a clue. She is the one perpetuating the myth of black female

powerlessness by insisting Jada needed her cucked (literally) husband to save her. It is insulting to paint Jada as some helpless victim.

As a black female, I find this misogynistic 'damsel in distress' (a classic Eurocentric White trope, to add further irony) hot take disgusting.

Tayo Bero (the author) also is attributing justification for Smith's violent attack to some so far evidence-free charge that Rock was having a go at Jada mainly (perhaps solely) because of he knew she had alopecia.

Bero's contrived outrage, her abusing and cheapening of the term 'anti-blackness' and especially her disempowerment of black women is a poor look.

[BannonsLiver]

54. What else in our National dialogue should be self segregated?

[Diablo del sol]

55. Bull MOTHER FUCKING shit

To preface, I am pissed off.

Toure was just on with Joy Reid. To paraphrase, he supported Smith and stated, Will Smith is a star he is entitled to a behave a certain way and will likely be invited back next year to award the best actress Oscar. Joy did nothing to correct him, did not slap his ignorant ass down.

ARE YOUR FUCKING KIDDING ME! SMITH IS ENTITLED?

Can Smith's lame wuss ass say he likes to grab them by the pussy?

Equality does not mean you can act like a piece of shit entitled white person.

I don't give a flying fuck if you are white, black, brown, orange. If you are a fucking asshole you need to be called out.

Smith acted like a fucking asshole. Toure is a fucking ignorant asshole. Joy lost a huge amount of respect for not slapping the shit out of Toure.

The segment was the god damn equivalent of what you would see on Tucker Carlson

[Diablo del sol]

56. Oh lookie here

That ignorant piece of shit seems to be a sexual harasser too, explains his entitled lame ass excuse for Smith.

https://www.okayplayer.com/culture/journalist-toure-accused-of-workplace-sexual-harassment.html

[WarGamer]

57. Disagree. That's all I'll say.

[Raine]

58. TOTAL BULL💩!!! 👎 nt

[ZonkerHarris]

59. Fuck John Wayne.

[AlexSFCA]

61. let's not compare a slap to a physical assault worthy of criminal prosecution

[Mr.Bill]

63. What Smith did

was assault and battery in California, and it is most assuredly prosecutable.

[AlexSFCA]

72. chris declined to file charge no victim here

if he would - it would be obscene waste of taxpayers money.

[Mr.Bill]

73. That's not required for charges to be brought.

They may not, but there's pretty damn good video and hundreds of witnesses to the crime.

[AlexSFCA]

74. LAPD states - chris must file charge for investigation to even BEGIN

[Mr.Bill]

76. It's up to the DA to indict. The DA also has investigators.

You don't need a cooperating victim in California to indict and convict for Assault and Battery. It may make it easier, but Rock's testimony would not be needed with the video evidence. It's up to the DA. Like I say, he may not but he could. I'm sure he has more important crimes to work on.

[Tree Lady]

65. I don't know about that I wouldn't care what race

Either of them were, no one should have slapped anyone at the Oscars.

I can think of a few white stars with a temper, what if Sean Penn slapped Tom Hanks?

[Quixote1818]

68. There are PLENTY of black folks pissed off about Smith's behavior. Kareem Abdul Jabbar for one

https://clutchpoints.com/lakers-news-kareem-abdul-jabbar-fires-scathing-takedown-of-will-smith-after-chris-rock-blow/

[2 Meow Momma]

70. Nothing like a good broad brush smear.

I won’t guess the motive in such a all encompassing smear.

[Flaleftist]

75. So people who think Smith was out of line are racist?

What point is the writer trying to make?

[Goodheart]

78. Oh for chrissake. Two points:

1- White "outrage"? I haven't seen any outrage, just disapproval. It's not important enough for outrage.
2- No, it's not about anti-Blackness. It's about anti-violence. Not every criticism of a black person is "anti-Blackness".

[Mosby]

81. More divisive garbage from the Guardian.

Their obsession with the US has no bounds.

[highplainsdem]

83. Wrong.

[Duncan Grant]

84. A public relations piece intended to trivialize what millions saw with their own two eyes.

(Italics are pull quotes from the article, followed by my words.)

“It would seem that there’s a layer of hyper-violence that’s being projected on to Smith simply because he is a Black man who was defending his Black wife.”

Or it could be a serious transgression of social mores. You know, the rule of law stuff. Trivial, I know, but we should make an effort not to initiate criminal assault just because we’re pissed off. Kid stuff, right?

“Anyone who has been following these shows can see that Smith is being held up to much stricter standards than white men who have behaved just as badly or even worse in those settings.”

How did I miss all those white movie stars assaulting presenters and screaming expletives at them in front of an international audience? That didn’t happen, right? This is a public relations lie. Will Smith is no victim.

“The world is so used to seeing Black women as unworthy of being protected and fought for that it can’t see any merit to Smith’s actions or the emotions that spurred them.”

There’s no context that excuses violence against another at an awards show. It’s shameful to suggest there’s something chivalrous about Will Smith’s actions. There’s nothing meritorious about his conduct at the Academy Awards.

[yardwork]

85. Oh please.