fbpx
Skip to content

How the Oscars and Will Smith Normalize Black-on-Black Violence

Leer en Español

[Leer en español]

The onslaught of Black actor Will Smith against fellow Black actor Chris Rock on live TV created a buzz that rocked social media and TV commentary. Some have condemned the crime, others have celebrated Smith for allegedly standing up to his wife amid a tacky joke. Despite one’s position, last night’s Black-on-Black violence was shamelessly and undoubtedly normalized by the leftist elite. This assault—punishable by law—will have implications for generations to come.  

People of color, including Black men, were forcefully told by the left—through riots, looting, and (at times) peaceful protests—that their lives matter. We were also lectured about how the Academy itself ignored Black actors in most of its awards, forcing the organization to issue “inclusion requirements.” 

These requirements, I deeply believe, were racist on their own. The talent of Black actors was not enough. Some form of affirmative action was foolishly needed for Black and other minority individuals to be awarded—because of course—we’ve always needed the help of the elite to succeed.

Will Smith’s deliberate use of violence against another Black man should’ve been immediately condemned by the Academy. Instead, as El American’s Emmanuel Rondon pointed out, he was celebrated through an Oscar and even a standing ovation, further proving that these individuals never cared about Black lives.

Last night’s assault made a mockery of Black men, Black culture, and Black talent as a whole. To make matters worst, it happened in front of the very same people that have engaged in so-called institutional racism. (Let’s not forget about the #OscarSoWhite hashtag).

Will Smith might have won an Oscar, but last night’s true winners were racism and violence. It will further perpetuate the following factors: the alleged systemic racism that exists within the Academy, the dismissal of Black-on-Black crime, and the dangerous demonization of Black men as thugs and criminals.

Shame on Will Smith, those who applauded him, and the Academy Award.

Luis Cornelio is the English Editor-in-Chief at El American. After graduating cum laude from the Colin Powell School for Civil and Global Leadership, he went on to intern at the Heritage Foundation. Most recently he served on President Donald Trump's re-election campaign, writing research articles on topics including law and order, immigration, and the Supreme Court. He also currently works as the Director of Communications for Got Freedom and researcher for the election integrity watchdog Amistad Project. A Dominican-American, he was granted U.S. citizenship in February 2020.
// Luis Cornelio es el English Editor-in-Chief de El American. Después de graduarse cum laude de la Escuela Colin Powell de Liderazgo Civil y Global, pasó a ser pasante de la Heritage Foundation. Recientemente, participó en la campaña de reelección del presidente Donald Trump escribiendo artículos de investigación sobre temas como la ley y el orden, la inmigración y la Corte Suprema. Actualmente trabaja como director de Comunicaciones de Got Freedom y es investigador para el grupo de integridad electoral, el Amistad Project. Un dominicano-americano, se le otorgó la ciudadanía americana en febrero de 2020.

Leave a Reply

Total
0
Share