"When Will Smith sucker-punched (slapped?) Chris Rock at last night’s Oscars, he underscored a point that most people won’t be making in its aftermath: being a pious Christian does not make you a good person.
As a former stand-up comedian, public atheist, and a person who’s been in his share of fistfights, I have a rare perspective on this incident, so here goes, for what it’s worth.
First, maybe Will, whom I respect as a fine performer, is having some psychological issues. His tearful acceptance speech seemed to go well beyond someone just caught up in the moment of winning an award — even a big one. If it turns out he was on something, or is suffering from some mental illness, the whole thing might turn out to be a bit more understandable, though still not acceptable.
But, he was wrong in some big ways."
Rock was in the wrong and so was Smith. I'm tired of bullies using "I'm a comedian" as an excuse for hurting the vulnerable. That's why there are very few stand up comedians that I will watch.
I felt the GI Jane reference was playful rather than disrespectful, but others saw it differently.