The just-concluded 94th Academy Awards saw quite a bit of drama as viewers were astonished to see actor Will Smith slap comedian Chris Rock live on stage.
Chris Rock, who was presenting the award for Best Documentary, acknowledged Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, by firing a joke at her bald head. “Jada, I love you. GI Jane 2, can’t wait to see you,” he said. Smith, who was seated next to his wife, initially laughed at the joke, but Pinkett Smith, on the other hand, did not seem amused. Will Smith, after seeing his wife roll her eyes, stormed on stage in a calm fury, struck Rock across the face, returned to his seat, and yelled at him to keep his wife’s name out of his mouth.
The clip, which has gone viral across social media, has been met with different reactions, with some feeling the behavior was not warranted and out of control, while others stated that Smith did the right thing.
Mike Fisher of the British Association of Anger Management believes that the entire incident could have been avoided. “What happened was
essentially assault, and the fact that Will Smith is a megastar makes it even worse,” he said to The Independent. “What kind of message is he sending to his huge fan base, many of whom are young people?”
However, Will Smith, who acknowledged he was wrong, has apologized twice since the infamous drama. He first tearfully apologized to the academy on stage for “acting out of line” while accepting his first-ever Oscar for the role of Richard Williams in the film King Richard.
Will Smith also apologized for his behavior on Instagram, stating: “I am a work in progress.”
“Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. I am embarrassed, and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness.” Smith also apologized to Rock, stating: “I was out of line, and I was wrong.”
We all get angry at times, but hitting someone is not the right way to vent your anger. Hitting someone may not always go right for you and can lead to lifelong regrets. It can lead to the destruction of properties and injuries to people, which can lead to charges like assault, battery, attempted murder, or even worse, murder. Will Smith would’ve most likely been charged with assault if Chris Rock pressed charges.
People who recognize Will Smith’s behavior in themselves or have anger issues should seek professional help for anger management. Uncontrolled anger can lead to increased anxiety and high blood pressure. Managing thoughts and responses can be difficult but not impossible. You have to be honest with yourself and acknowledge that you need help. Ways of dealing with anger include:
- Seeing a psychologist or counselor you still feel angry about events that happened in your past.
- Learning relaxation techniques, such as yoga or meditation.
- Talking to a trusted person about how you’re feeling.
- Engaging in regular exercise
