Now, let us lay all the cards on the table: Was what Chris Rock said awful and stupid. Yes, it was. For the man who literally did the definitive documentary on how Black women are judge by their hair, including those who suffer from hair loss, is foul. (Google "good hair." HE KNEW BETTER.
However, what Will Smith did is something toxic that will reap the whirlwind if it not condemned. I won't even get into the racial aspects: Kareem Abdul Jabbar does that job here:
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/kareem-abdul-jabbar-slams-smith-105555681.html?fr=yhssrp_catchall
and so does Shannon Sharpe:
https://www.aol.com/look-shannon-sharpe-smith-going-185251922.html
and Stephen a Smith:
https://www.aol.com/stephen-smith-reacts-smith-did-133059657.html
I posted these african americans because I know I am NOT qualified to speak to the reality Black men face about stereotypes.
OK, now that this is done, let me get to my point: America has a culture where men are encouraged to use violence to define their manhood: Hollywood of course has helped, but so do a number of media's bad actors. Think of how many of the mass shooters all felt their manhood was being questioned, think of all the bar fights, domestic disputes, and other fights where somebody ends up DEAD. Co signing will is affirming to ever young men that yes, you are expected to use violence, especially for the sake of "your" women.
Let's shoot another elephant in the room: As democrats, we know that one side is very, very good at using the bad ideas about "manhood". If it becomes ok to beat up a comedian, or anyone who says things offensive, they will take that seed and grow a forest. Think about the elections, you think the skunkworks at the gop is not planning to assualt a Jon Oliver or other left comedian and say "he was offending my family!"
Oh hell yes, you know it. Especially since the right wing does not have as many of the top comedians. Picture Dennis Miller smirking as this goes on . Now imagine that some of these folks do the natural inclination to instead of slap, pick up a gun. Sound silly right, ask the relatives of Notorious BIG and Tupac Shakur how silly that sounds.
My point is, we must NOT feed the beast, or it will run rampant. Furthermore, yes, Will smith IS someone who is expected to be responsible: how do you expect people to risk 50 million to film your picture if they think you will go snake whenever Jada gives you a look.
BY THE WAY, it cannto be overlooked that Jada did publicly discuss charting on him, in a manner that gained a lot of publicity. Yes, if a woman wants to do that, it is her business, but it does make this dovetail into the idea that Will needed to prove he was a "man", and that is son, Jayden,. is already prasing him for this.