
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Until today I was a huge Will Smith fan. ; I saw every movie he ever made plus the TV series Fresh Prince of Bel Aire in reruns for years. I liked his personality and thought he was an excellent role model for young people. His rap music was one of the few that didn’t seem to have a message of hate, bigotry or misogyny.  ;His movies have grossed over $9 Billion and for good reason. We really liked him.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">By now you have likely learned that last night at the Oscars, Will Smith walked up on the stage and slapped Chris Rock for telling a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch?v=434991795048550">https://www.facebook.com/watch?v=434991795048550</a></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I had just assumed that his stage personality was the same as his real one.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I guess I was wrong.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Maybe Will’s success has gone to his head. Maybe he has been to so many award shows that he doesn’t appreciate how many actors would give their right arm to be where he is.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Maybe it is true that Jada Pinkett has a condition that she is sad about. Is this such a tragedy? Did it stop her from making the latest Matrix movie? Is Smith comparing her condition to someone dying of cancer?</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">But for Smith to walk up on stage on a live show in front of a live audience and slug a fellow actor, someone who told a joke and meant no harm on a subject that Will and Jada themselves have publicized, known to everyone in the freaking world, is a sign of a mean, spoiled primadonna.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">This brand of comedy happens all the time, and has been around for at least the last 60 years. ; Jada has been in the limelight ofr most of her life, does he think she is immune? More importantly, does he think she cannot stand up for herself?</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Did Will Smith believe that Chris Rock was disrespecting his wife? Apparently so. But a great many people would kill to be insulted by Chris Rock, a great comic and talented actor, with no ill bones in his body (again, my perception).</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I resent the ego, the pettiness, the selfish idea that the rules do not apply to Will Smith, that he can step over the bounds and attack someone and get away with it, just because he is Will Smith.  ;This is not a message we want for our young people.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">He did get away with it. And he came away with his first Oscar.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">But I’m not a fan anymore, and I’m sure others feel this way. He has destroyed himself as a role model.  ;This was not a “mistake” or an “accident” he willfully walked on stage and attacked. ; In my book, there is no second chance. Chris Rock declined to file charges, so there will not be jail time for Will. But I&#8217;m imagining the Oscars folks are pretty steamed that their show has been subject to such a seedy event.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I know we don’t cover this kind of topic on PBP very often, but when someone who is idolized by so many turns out to be petty punk (yeah, the punch didn’t even  ;knock Chris Rock down), then it is worse for America.</p>

Will Smith Just Destroyed Himself as a Role Model
