The Slap — Live at the Oscars!

© Ruth Fremson

By now most of us saw the Will Smith / Chris Rock smack heard round the world. I saw it live and was shocked to say the least. First and foremost: It’s NEVER okay to strike another person. Keep your hands to yourself.

As a man, husband, father, it’s hard to keep yourself in check when those you love are being teased or assaulted. But in life we have to take the higher road, because our actions have consequences, good or bad.

I think there is more going on here than a man trying to defend his wife’s honor. If you’ve followed Will Smith at all over the last decade you know his home life isn’t ideal. I would argue that his marriage and family are hanging by a thread, and he’s desperately trying to save it.

It’s been said that Jada insisted many years ago that they have an open marriage. In at least one interview I recall, Will was clear that he agreed to this in order to save his family. His children have clearly been struggling with their identities and emotional challenges over the last several years as well, adding more strain to their family.

Earlier in the night a joke/bit was made when Regina Hall called on hot single men to come with her behind stage for “private Covid-19 tests.” It was highly distasteful in my opinion. One part involved her telling Will to come up and that it was ok because “I already checked…