It was the slap felt ’round the world.
Will Smith, one of the biggest movie stars on the planet, walked onstage and slapped comedian Chris Rock during the 94th Academy Awards. In front of a live, mostly white audience. During a live telecast watched by millions across the globe. It was so outrageous that many people initially thought it was a joke, part of the script. But then Smith returned to his seat and yelled to Rock, “Keep my wife’s name out of your f------ mouth.”
Those of us who saw it live were shocked. Toxic masculinity can indeed abruptly show up in shocking, at times violent ways.
