Chris Rock, you are my hero.

Will Smith, believe it or not, NOT everything is about YOU.

.By now, you must have heard about the Oscars

Like everyone else in the United States, I feel the need to weigh in on the whole Chris Rock/Will Smith/Jada Pinkett Smith mess. Before I give my two bitcoin (who uses pennies anymore?), I recommend everyone read the great commentary by Kareem Abdul-Jabaar. He lists all the ways Smith was wrong in that he:

1. Disrespected his wife and all women
2. Perpetrated the stereotype that Black men can only express themselves with violence
3. Promoted violence
4. Disrespected everyone who worked to make this year’s ceremony the most inclusive we have ever seen

Here are my thoughts:

1. Rock is the reason this was “just a slap.” I see some people complain that the world is all upset about the slap, which was a nothing burger and should be forgotten. If Rock had responded in kind, think of what would have happened! Pandemonium would have ensued and the show would have been over.
2. The Academy Awards should not be about one person. This year, there was a huge (and long overdue) effort to make the night more inclusive. When Smith did this, he said to everyone, “Screw you. My feelings are what matters.” According to Wanda Sykes, Rock immediately…