You must've heard about the infamous incident at the 2022 Academy Awards, right? Will Smith, who was nominated in the Best Actor category (and later won), slapped host Chris Rock when the latter passed a joke about Smith's wife's autoimmune disease, alopecia. This moment is one very important one in television history. A lot of thoughts arise upon seeing this incident. A lot of what-ifs.
So, Chris Rock joked about Jada's haircut and how it resembled that of G.I. Jane's. She rolled her eyes at that and then Will Smith did the unexpected. He later returned to his seat and cussed angrily at Chris. (Who, surprisingly, remained calm and composed.) This incident which lasted for a very brief moment is now turning out to be one that will be remembered for a very long time.
Will Smith's slapping Chris Rock is wrong on so many levels, because, to put it simply (and logically) violence is never the answer. Of course, while Rock should have been more sensitive about his joke, he didn't deserve a reaction like this. But, I think we should really take a step back and look at how privileges we are born with are actually highlighted through this incident.
Racial privilege
While this usually specifically refers to white privilege, the heated scene at the Oscars does bring some scenarios to mind. For instance, say Will Smith were a White, then this controversy would've had another whole racial level added to it. But, since both the men are Black, there isn't much talk about Will Smith being wrong on that level. More importantly, it has been 16 years since a Black man won Best Actor, so this very unfortunate fallout has marred Smith's symbolic win.
To add on, amidst a time of uncertainty and violence (the Russian-Ukraine Crisis) as well as the time to bring about change regarding racial equality, Roger Ross William, a Black member of the Academy's board of governors, wisely said how significantly wrong Will Smith's actions were:
It reinforces stereotypes about Black people, and it just hurts me to my core.
Exactly. In a world which requires change in so many aspects of life, it can only be brought about when we first think about our current actions. Considering the Oscars being one of the biggest platforms there is, Will Smith should have been more sensible about his actions that would be viewed by millions.
Gender privilege
What message is given when two men get into an ugly spat on live television that is seen by millions? What is wrong with this is simply that the younger generation who looks up to people like Will Smith are likely to defend Smith's abusive actions, and, hopefully not, to also follow in his example and resort to violence when irked by jokes and whatnot.
Let's play a scenario here again. If the host were a woman, then it is very likely that Will Smith wouldn't have even shouted angry, unkind words at her, let alone storming on stage and assaulting the host. Everyone will get more charged up at this gender inequality than they are right now. There is not as much talk as there should be about how shameful the act was towards Chris Rock.
Now, swapping the roles again... let's say Will Smith were a woman and had slapped Chris Rock. There would most likely be a lot of praise for a woman who 'stood up for herself' when a joke is made at her expense.
And that's the issue with privilege; the privileged public are very fickle. Sadly, there are many who take advantage of their not having a privilege. While male privilege is, of course, the more prominent gender privilege, there are some women who take advantage of this and carry out things that shouldn't be accepted, regardless of gender, age, sexual orientation or race.
Jada Pinkett Smith rightfully rolled her eyes at Rock's insensitive joke and clearly showed her dislike for it. Lately, she has been actively talking about her disease, which is more common amongst Black people. She stood up for herself in her own way and certainly did not require her husband to be her 'protector'. (A common excuse for toxic masculinity.)
Socio-economic privilege
This is basically the 'class' people belong to. (Something I particularly don't like.) But this really echoes the harsh reality of life where more money equals more power. In the case of the Smith-Rock incident, the 'celebrity privilege' is really highlighted.
We have time and again witnessed celebrities use their fame (and money) to share very harsh and unfair views on everything. There are also countless who used their position and voice to inspire the world. The similarity of these two 'groups' of celebrities is that they have a privilege from being a celebrity. That's what privilege really is. An unearned advantage that's just there for who you are. Don't get me wrong — many celebrities have worked incredibly hard to reach this 'status', but one wrong action can erase all that hard work, you know? (Nepotism is exactly this: celebrity kids are benefitting from having more opportunities, but people should start to accept and admit their privileges and only then can this friction be eased.)
Will Smith got teary-eyed during his acceptance speech and quoted Denzel Washington, who told him just moments before Smith's win:
At your highest moment, be careful, that's when the devil comes for you.
It really is meaningful. When celebrities really get the fame game all wrong, they act out in an impulse that can be very disastrous.
Healthy privilege
This is something that is significant especially in tough times like the pandemic. People are falling ill and diseases are widespread, but people in good health sometimes take it for granted. Chris Rock could've been more mindful about the jokes he presented. Personally, taking a 'laughable' jab at someone's ill health is not right. It is possible, however, that he was told to say that, but people should laugh heartily at jokes instead of being laughed at.
Alopecia is a very concerning hair issue, especially when rich hair means the world to most Black women. Cornrows, which are the tight braided-style hair that many Black men and women proudly flaunt, have a dark history that goes way back to the times of slavery, when slaves actually 'mapped' escape routes in their hair.
So, yes, a joke that lasts for a couple of seconds can unlock some really harsh and insensitive memories.
What should've been the more ideal situation?
Will Smith shouldn't have resorted to violence.
He could've privately resolved his issues with Rock instead of publicly humiliating him in front of millions.
He could've spoken more peacefully and also bring more awareness about alopecia in his acceptance speech rather than staining his victory with the impulsive slap.
Chris Rock should've been more thoughtful about the magnitude of the joke (considering the seriousness of the disease and the symbolism) and should've refrained from saying it.
Bridging the privilege gap with empathy.
I believe it is really clear how our privileges, as much as we like to disregard them, play a major role in influencing our thoughts, mindsets, actions and the level of consequences we face.
But, it all comes down to empathy. Really, it does. The privilege gap is, in simple terms, the drastic difference in opportunities received by people due to their backgrounds. This gap can be seen everywhere, from education gaps in poverty-stricken countries to wage gaps in the working environment.
Here are 3 things you can do to help bridge the gap:
1. Identify and admit your privileges.
Be it having more opportunities in education, more benefits from being able to afford them, or just the advantages you have been having all along that you don't realise, accepting them is a sign of accepting who you really are.
2. Be more vocal about privileges.
Whether someone you know acts out in a privileged manner or be it someone you idolise, they shouldn't be excused for privileged behaviour. You shouldn't excuse them.
3. Place yourself in the shoes of them.
That's all empathy is about. Seeing something from the points-of-view of others, specifically the ones who are acting really privileged. Analyse the different sides to the story. Understand why people do the things they do before jumping to a conclusion. It is very easy for us to quickly make judgements in controversies like this. As humans, we tend to 'go with the flow'; that is, just form quick, hasty opinions because everyone is going ballistic over the eventful Oscar night.
Be the change you want to see. But to see this change, you must see you true self.
What do you think? Drop a message about what you felt about this :)
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