Aimee Walker
Jameela Jamil has defended Will Smith after he slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars after the comedian made a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
The actress and presenter took to Twitter to share a quote, adding that people ‘can’t criticise’ the actor if they believe ‘black women should be protected’.
She penned: “Will Smith said ‘Not Today’. A man big enough to absolutely floor him slapped him softly enough that Chris barely moved because he made fun of his wife’s alopecia on a world stage.
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“Don’t say #protectblackwomen for two years and then only condemn Will here. Come on.”
She continued: “I think because this is a black man, people are escalating a small slap that didn’t move another man… to ‘unhinged assault’.
“OBVIOUSLY never put your hands on someone. But the hyperbole around only Will’s actions coming from white people is frankly disturbing.
“He tried to be ‘peaceful’ and just couldn’t. This is not the first time Chris has punched down on Jada on a world stage: but it will be the last.”
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Other users on the site didn’t appear to share Jamil’s view and criticised her for defending the actor.
One said: “No, it just has everything to do with being a regular witness to and victim of violence under the guise of ‘love makes you do crazy things’.
“It was not chivalrous nor his ‘duty’. Give Jada her agency and support HER reaction to the abuse/joke directed at HER.”
“Oh please,” added another. “I can’t believe people are defending a violent act over this. Rock told a joke, funny or not (as they do during EVERY awards show) and people think ‘Sure, walking up on stage and slapping the comedian is the appropriate reaction’.”
The star, who picked up the award for Best Actor at the ceremony, slapped Rock across the face while on stage and then yelled: “Keep my wife’s name out of your f***ing mouth,” after he made fun of his Pinkett Smith’s shaved hairdo, which is apparently because of her alopecia.
Smith apologised for the incident in a tearful acceptance speech later on in the evening.
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