Thread by @DavidYankovich

What happened at the #Oscars worries me on a few fronts.

Half the world seems to be of the mindset that what Will Smith did was right.

He could have made a bigger statement by leaving the ceremony or waiting until later to speak about the pain that caused on his biggest night.

What Will Smith did wasn’t tough or “manly”. Showing strength would have been using his win and gigantic platform to defend his wife and women everywhere by speaking out against the joke- instead, everything he says and does now will only be met with derision.

Also, as someone who works with those who speak in public, this creates a cultural permission structure of assaulting people we disagree with.

What Will Smith did shouldn’t make you rise to your feet to cheer him on, it should be met with silence and condemnation.

Some men will resort to violence over any slight, real or imaginary.

Some call it toxic masculinity. I call it being mentally and emotionally stunted without the introspection needed to seek tools to handle pain or rejection in a way that is healthy.

Chris Rock did what comedians do, he made a joke and there should have been a conversation about what’s roasting and what’s hurtful.

Will Smith could have facilitated that. Smith didn’t just blow his credibility, he hurt everyone around him and embarrassed his industry.

But, the greater cause of concern to me is this speaks to a dangerous trend of violence in America over the perception of disrespect.

We saw this materialize on January 6th when a group of Trump supporters took down the Capitol and felt justified assaulting hundreds of cops.

We don’t have to be a country where violence is a glorified reaction, but that is who we have been and who we are today.

It’s not weakness to be measured and thoughtful in our actions, as a matter of fact it takes a lot more strength to rise above anger and think clearly.

Those who support Will Smith or people who resort to negativity and violence- consider Chris Rock and how he has to face his own children and family, about the memes, and the fact that he stood there with his hands behind his back and took the hit and kept going.

The true strength came from Chris Rock. He took it literally on the cheek, declined to press charges, and continued with the show.

If you want to look up to someone, look to the man who did it right, who didn’t dishonor the celebration of others, and rose above the situation.

There is no “vessel of love” who resorts to violence first to prove their honor.

A vessel of love seeks to create, not destroy, finds common ground and empathy when others can’t, and defends those they love in a way that makes the world a little bit better.

More people today are talking about Will Smith’s violence than the war crimes happening in Ukraine- including me.

The #Oscars slap moved faster and larger online than the bombing murders of children and moms in hospitals in #Ukraine- that is the power of a broken culture.

I just saw a notification from CNN saying Will Smith apologized. I am glad he did that.

But- he will need to do more than apologize for PR, he should meet this moment and be bigger than his actions last night by joining and leading a conversation about what a man of strength is.