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The Burden of Guilt
Why Will Smith attacked Chris Rock
You’re probably tired of hearing about this topic but I’m writing this because it’s been almost two days and I haven’t heard anyone mention this crucial point.
I have not finished reading Will Smith’s autobiography, but fortunately, he gives us the big reveal in chapter one. After witnessing his father punch his mother in the head so hard she spat blood, he felt guilty for never defending her against him.
He didn’t use the word “guilt” in those opening paragraphs. He said he was a coward. He said that he constantly apologizes to her for never standing up in her defense. A couple of people have mentioned this in light of what happened on April 27th.
On April 27th, at the Academy Awards, Chris Rock made a joke about Will’s wife, Jada, having a shaved head. She has alopecia. Apparently, Rock didn’t know, but at this point it is unclear if he even wrote the joke. Hell, I didn’t even know. Many people didn’t know.
It wasn’t a funny joke, in my opinion. Kind of dated, actually. Will mustered up a laugh but Jada was dismissive of it. Will, in defense of his wife and best friend, went to the stage, slapped Rock, sat back down in his chair and told Rock to keep Jada’s name out of his mouth.
