Will Smith's vicious slap during Sunday's Academy Awards may have hurt Chris Rock, but it did a lot more damage to the Black community.
- That's the word from NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who says Smith's failure to control his temper only added weight to Black stereotypes. “With a single petulant blow, he advocated violence, diminished women, insulted the entertainment industry, and perpetuated stereotypes about the Black community," Abdul-Jabbar says, adding the incident was "troubling on so many levels."
- The basketball superstar goes on to say Smith's actions also served as a setback for the Me2 Movement. "By hitting Rock, he announced that his wife was incapable of defending herself -- against words,” Abdul-Jabbar says. "This patronizing, paternal attitude infantilizes women and reduces them to helpless damsels needing a big strong man to defend their honor least they swoon from the vapors."
- Which of Abdul-Jabbar's two points is more valid?
Photo Credit: Getty Images