One of the things I hate most regarding narratives surrounding black public figures is the idea that they’re only as respectable as the amount of abuse they can take quietly without reacting. The minute they react, they’re “bothered” or they knew what they signed up for as public figures or they’re overreacting or they’ve lost all credibility. This narrative is boring.
OSCAR 2022 | Timothée Chalamet rockstar del red carpet. L'inclusività dilaga nei premi a miglior film, migliori attori non protagonisti e regia
OSCAR 2022 | Timothée Chalamet rockstar del red carpet. L’inclusività dilaga nei premi a miglior film, migliori attori non protagonisti e regia
Serata movimentata quella degli Oscar 2022. L’evento più eclatante è stato Will Smith che ha mollato un pugno a Chris Rock salendo sul palco: in realtà si trattava di una manata ma è stato un gesto di violenza gratuito e non necessario. La battuta di Chris sui capelli rasati di Jada Pinkett Smith è stata infelice perché l’ha paragonata a G.I. Jane, forse però non sapeva che la moglie di Smith ha…
Not excusing the toxic masculinity and violence of Will
Not excusing the problematic practices (and recurring spiritual bypassing) of Jada
But what we witnessed is not a binary issue or just a “black family matter.” Between the toxic masculinity, the violence, and the general antiblack, anti-indigenous nature of the oscars, I am still struggling between shock, discomfort, and second-hand embarrassment over this spectacle.
Explain it to me like I’m five. I want people to explain and give a rightful, intelligent excuse on how what Chris Rock did was a joke at the expense of a woman who’s currently suffering of an autoimmune disease. I want it explained without bringing up that he “probably didn’t know” that he’s a “comedian” that the jokes were “drafted beforehand”.
It’s funny because I am seeing an overwhelming amount of white people and non black people using this situation to paint black people as the emotional menaces that we are. All of sudden I am seeing peacemakers from a country who thrives out of won wars and guns. With an active history of violence till this day.
The slap is a statement. It should have some of you shook. It should have some of you from now on consciously acting and behaving in line. Verbal violence is just as bad if not worst than physical violence. Saying whatever you want comes with consequences. I am hoping that those of you who are mostly chronically online are made more socially aware now.
People saying that Will Smith was initially laughing…guys, that’s not a “haha that’s funny laugh”. That looked like a “haha oh you done fucked up” laugh.
Was it tacky? Yeah sure for the Oscars.
Was it warranted? Uh, yeah!
Look, celebrities already have to deal with a lot of weird shit, the worst one having their privacy constantly poked, analyzed, and commented by strangers on the daily. One thing that people get way too comfortable, is joking about shit people can’t control, in this case, Jada’s alopecia.
The point of dark humor is that the one joking about their expensive is themselves. Usually humor is about punching up not punching down. I, for one, would love it if it became a regular thing for celebrities to not hold any shit and be “professional” about out of pocket shit like making fun of your wife’s hair condition that clearly made her uncomfortable.
