We really need to talk about what’s happened to us as a society, our ability to simply turn the other cheek and take the high road.

I feel it important to mention there are indeed bigger things going on in our world, as we turn to world news and watch what’s unfolding between Russia and Ukraine. It’s heartbreaking to say the least, as well as mind blowing on many fronts.

This is after all 2022 and images that are being displayed truly feel as if we’ve traveled back in time. A time which we (older Americans) once learned of in history books.

This morning however my mind is blown by the act of Will Smith at Sunday night’s Oscar awards.

Now I hear some of you, even see you actually, shaking your head at the mention of the awards show and “why does she waste her time?”

Well, I didn’t, but I did however see a mention of “the slap,” as I was going to bed Sunday night and a former colleague mentioned his surprise by the act on a social media post.

For those of you who missed it and don’t follow the news a simple summary is this: comedian Chris Rock cracked a joke (in poor taste) during Sunday night’s awards show. The joke was directed at Jada Pinkett Smith and her very short hair, which is result of her battle with alopecia. A fact, which perhaps Rock was unaware of as he joked about her potential future role in GI Jane 2. Again it was in poor taste, comedy isn’t always safe and often comes at the expense of another; that’s just fact.

Pinkett Smith’s husband, Will Smith however, somehow in the moment forgot the simple lesson of showing grace and taking the high road, as he left his seat, stepped on stage uninvited and quite literally slapped Rock on live television.

Comments from Smith following the slap, would indicate he was defending his wife’s honor. Some feel that’s not just okay, but understandable.

As we now live in a world of over examined feelings, I feel it important to share many a people have commended Smith for stepping up and defending his wife as Rock was clearly out of line. There’s “predator” and “victim” analogies all over the inter web about this, it’s simply mind blowing.

Confused?

Well here’s my take, when did it become okay for a person to publicly and I mean in a big way publicly - walk up to another, slap them across the face, return to their seat and then moments later be celebrated with an award.

Now not to add to the confusion, but if this had been any of us, in a similar situation in a bar, at a baseball game or even Starbucks our spouse would be taken in and I’m not talking for ice cream; I’m talking jail.

Yes, Rock’s comment was out of line, however I would say it’s safe to say (and has been reported) that he had no idea about the illness and was simply doing what comedians do - poke jokes at others.

The right thing would have been for the Smith’s to simply chalk it up to ignorance and leave Rock looking like an insensitive, uniformed presenter. Leaving one’s seat to smack someone across the face however in the middle of a broadcasted show shifts the pendulum significantly.

Then again, we live in a day and age when people whip out their phones to video violence, rather than try and be a part of the solution so I guess this is right in line with the disconnect of humanity which continues to happen.

It saddens me quite honestly. Grace and class, once common among many now exemplified on occasion.

Teresa Hammond is a staff reporter for The Oakdale Leader, The Riverbank News and The Escalon Times. She may be reached at thammond@oakdaleleader.com or by calling 209-847-3021.