In response to the “supposed slap” heard around the world at the Oscars, I wish we would take a step back just to look at this from another human perspective. On the surface, the image of one black man (Will Smith) slapping the absolute mess out of another black man (Chris Rock) on a global stage looks pretty bad for our culture, right?
Especially when just a few years ago we were complaining that the “Oscars were so white.”
Now I see the same “self-righteous” groups of commentators going all in on “this savage monster of an animal” we once called the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. He said in the theme song he got into one little fight and his mom got scared........
Seriously though, think about this for a moment.
What was Willy from Philly actually doing, besides defending the honor of his wife, who is battling a medical condition?
Now, we don’t know all the particulars of her condition. And as Tabitha Brown said “it is, really, none of our business.” However, we all should know that historically black women have and still endure a lot about their hair.
In addition, remember at the 2009 VMAs when Kanye West, wrongfully, told Taylor Swift she didn’t deserve that award because Beyonce had one of the best videos of all times (which was true, can I get an Amen for "all the Single Ladies”?)
While later the same year, at the 2009 CMAs, Country Music made an entire Awards show, rightfully, coming swift to Taylor’s defense. The world applauded the gesture because it is normal to protect girls and women who are white.
While the same world, that we live in, expects Mr. Smith to just sit there as his wife is being ridiculed for her medical condition? Belittling black girls should not be normal nor acceptable behavior either.
Also, my main question is, why would Chris Rock single out one of the few high-profile black actors at the Oscars, just to make jokes about the mother of his children’s medical condition anyway?
Pootie Tang should know how sensitive a subject black girls’ hair is because he made a whole movie about it called GOOD HAIR, after his 3-year-old daughter Lola asked him “Daddy, how come I don’t have good hair?”
Furthermore, would we feel the same if any Comedian made fun of a white girl with a medical condition that caused her to, let’s say, have skinny legs?
Making fun of anybody with a medical condition should not seem normal to an advanced society, regardless of color.
I think we should all be compassionately offended enough to challenge Chris Rock to do better. He is one of my favorite comedians. But he was wrong for insulting Queen Jada about something she can’t help. Plus, Jada looks absolutely amazing, but I don’t want to keep saying that too loud because the last thing I need is for Will Smith to come walk into the Barbershop to Philly Slap me too!.......
Despite all that Jada has been through, the sister still stands fearlessly flawless and “Everybody Hates Chris” tried to tear a Queen down. I don’t hate Chris nor do I dislike Pookie from New Jack City. I just think he made a mistake by going too far, but the man in black brought him right back……
I am never advocating for violence by any means. Although, in normalizing protecting black women, Will should’ve at least asked Mr. Rock:
“What did the five fingers say to the face?”..........And then walked off and said “I’m Rick James……”
As a society we should normalize standing up and with black women too, especially in Women’s History Month
In love and compassionate understanding,
Barnard the Barber
