Sunday night during the Oscars, Will Smith and Chris Rock were part of one of the most uncomfortable, disturbing, and talked-about moments ever witnessed on national television.
As is the tradition in these type of events, Rock was roasting many of the members in the audience. This happens annually at the Oscars, Golden Globes, ESPYs, Grammys, and for that matter, every late night talk show and Bill Maher. But Rock’s statement to Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith, apparently crossed a line when he said, “‘G.I. Jane 2,’ can’t wait to see it.” The following video shows what ensued.
Will Smith initially laughed at the joke but then came on stage and slapped Rock in the face. For those who do not know, Smith’s wife suffers from alopecia, an auto-immune condition that causes hair loss. Afterwards, from his seat in the first row, he twice shouted, “Keep my wife’s name out of your [expletive] mouth.” The audience was stunned. Twitter exploded. As a result, this issue has been examined from every possible angle.
I will now give my thoughts.
5 Leadership Lessons From Will Smith’s Slap Heard Round The World
We Live In A Lawless Land
Will Smith should have been arrested. Period. Assault is generally defined as “intentionally putting another person in reasonable apprehension of an imminent harmful or offensive contact. Physical injury is not required.” I think Smith’s slap obviously was offensive contact and put Rock in a reasonable apprehension of harmful contact.
Notice the legal definition does not state anything about whether the act was justified or not.
I am still confused as to why Smith was allowed to return to his seat and less than an hour later win an award, get a standing ovation, and then say, “I’m being called on in my life to love people and to protect people. And to be a river to my people.” This action would indicate Smith’s river is polluted with hypocrisy and lawlessness.
Never Get Fun At Someone Else’s Expense
I am also confused at to what Smith was expecting. He was the presumptive winner of Best Actor for his portrayal of Richard Williams in King Richard. Smith was seated in the front row. Once again, comedians with a history of roasting people were employed to be the show’s hosts. Traditionally, “poking fun” at the stars is what happens at these events.
But we were reminded of a basic form of respect and human decency which is to never get fun at someone else’s expense. Dignity is the imprint of God on every human soul. “I was just kidding” is never an excuse for degrading comments. Degrading a person and hurting their dignity for the purposes of increasing our own self-worth or public standing is unadvisable and just plain wrong.
Maybe this will be the start of ending the “roasting” and degradation of people and the start of building others up.
Angry People Are Foolish People
The only difference between anger and danger is a “D”. Since Smith said in his acceptance speech, “I am overwhelmed by what God is calling on me to do and be in this world,” allow me to share with you what God says about angry people. I could have gone on for dozens and dozens verses more but will stop at 15.
- “Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.” – Ephesians 4:25-27 (ESV)
- “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” – James 1:19-20 (ESV)
- “A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.” – Proverbs 29:11 (ESV)
- “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” – Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)
- “Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.” – Proverbs 14:29 (NIV)
- “Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.” – Proverbs 29:11 (NIV)
- “Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.” – Proverbs 12:16 (NIV)
- “It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.” – Proverbs 20:3 (NIV)
- “The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.” – Proverbs 19:11 (KJV)
- “An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.” – Proverbs 29:22 (KJV)
- “Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.” – Ecclesiastes 7:9 (KJV)
- “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” – Romans 12:21 (KJV)
- “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice.” – Ephesians 4:31 (KJV)
- “A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.” – Proverbs 15:18 (KJV)
- “Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go.” – Proverbs 22:24 (KJV)
From a biblical perspective derived from the verses above, Smith’s actions were dangerous, devilish, unrighteous, foolish, unwise, harsh, lacking of understanding, lacking in discretion, unhinged, furious, hasty, bitter, wrathful, toxic, violent, and just evil.
Once again, “let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”
Anger Makes The Other Person The Victim
I have lost my temper many times. Each time I ended up looking bad and the object of my anger was viewed as a victim. Once again, it did not matter if my anger was justified. I made the other person the sympathetic figure as I came across unhinged and lacking self-control, much like Will Smith.
Chris Rock took the high road and sadly, Smith’s behavior overshadowed the defining moment of his acting career.
The Power Of Statesmen
One of the problems in our world today is the lack of statesmen, dignified individuals who are respected and have morale authority. Statesmen are E.F. Huttons, when they speak everyone listens. Unfortunately, we currently lack these individuals in the political arena. However, in the midst of this chaos and confusion, a statesman stood up on the Hollywood floor and brought a sense of peace and calm to all that was happening.
Denzel Washington, noted Christian and acting legend, told Smith, “At your highest moment, be careful. That’s when the devil comes for you.” Peter Etenung tweeted, “I refuse to behave like Will Smith. I refuse to behave like Chris Rock. I prefer to behave like Denzel Washington. In a very uncomfortable and heated moment, he gave wisdom, understanding, correction and comfort.”
Etenung’s word provides for us four defining characteristics of Statesmen – wisdom, understanding, correction, and comfort.
You Are Now Faced With A Choice
Everyone reading this post is now faced with a choice. Your circumstances do not affect this decision. You can either be a statesman who rises above the chaos like Denzel Washington, or you can be angry person who acts foolishly like Will Smith. You decide.
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