Will Smith Slap Shows Hollywood Elites Have No Moral Authority

Will Smith slaps Chris Rock onstage during the 94th Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Calif., on March 27, 2022. Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images

Commentary

Will Smith’s slap of Chris Rock on stage at the Academy Awards show demonstrated supreme arrogance and lack of self-control. While the moment was shocking, we should not be shocked. Smith simply put on display to the world what we should have already known: Celebrities are not role models and have no moral authority to preach to us as they often delight in doing.