The slap that was heard around the world has become the most sensational news of the year. It is now justifiably identified as slap gate not because of the mere slap but for circumstances it connotes. First and foremost, Will smith have cultivated this image of casual joviality, free willing, care free and open minded. For him to be an aggressor especially at the Oscars award extravaganza is unexpected. Will Smith have never been known as an angry man or has not publicly exhibited any aggressive tendencies in the past. He has no prior history of violence or overbearing disposition. This type of misbehavior and rueful scenario is not expected at Oscars of all places. There is a level of decorum, sophistication and orderliness that was supposedly associated with high class societal events like Oscars. But Smith spilled the beans and reminded us to readjust our expectation. The frailty of human behavior perpetuated by Smith showed that the high class Oscar’s crowd is not spared from human weakness. Smith broke all the societal etiquette and did something that is associated with hooligans who are seen in rowdy public places especially at bars and beer parlor not at Oscars. Why did he misbehave? 1. Self sabotage: These things are of psychology and state of mind. Maybe he was threatened by his success especially on the day that his peers bestowed on him the highest award for the best movie actor. He became self destructive and undermined his lifetime of hard work and dedication to his craft. His psyche and nerves betrayed him, ultimately undermining him on the supposedly best day of his life. His doubting mind may have instigated to him that he was not good enough and was not worthy of the accolade. Imposter syndrome is also a major undercurrent of self sabotage. When one psychologically and falsely reasoned that he is a fake and does not deserves his success. Will Smith maybe subject to this psychological default. And he seeks out actions to undermine one’s self. Be it uncontrollable anger, unnecessary utterances of words and actions that are detrimental to his wellbeing. 2. Toxic relationship. Will smith maybe victim of toxic relationship from his spouse. The one that probably occupies the driver's seat in the marriage is his wife. This is speculative but it looks like without his wife presence at Oscars the fracas may never have happened. When Chris Rock made the joke that broke the caramel’s back, it looked like Will Smith was enjoying the joke until he looked at the direction of his wife and she gave him a side eye look. Her facial expression shows that she was not cool with the joke. Immediately Will Smith took off and did the unthinkable and the rest was history. Finally our greatest respect and honor must be dedicated to the real victim, Chris Rock. He was not doing anything illegal or out of the line. He is a professional comedian and he was doing what he does best. Making jokes and exploiting every situation for cheap laughs. When the slap landed on his face before the astonished live audience and millions of views around the world, he handled it professionally. For a second it appears that Chris Rock was confused…was this part of the scripted gig he may be thinking. But if so, why was he kept in the dark. Chris Rock realized it was for real when Smith was hulling profanity to him from his frontage seat. Chris did maintain his composure and moved on with his presentation. He was such a trooper! If he had reacted negatively and reciprocated with violence, then the damage would have reached a gigantic proportion and zenith that would destroy the Oscars Academy integrity and wreck its dignity probably for many more years. But wisdom prevailed and Chris Rock sheathed his sword. The true winner of the night was Chris Rock. He put the best acting performance for he was the knight rider on the shining armor that saved the night. Therefore the Oscars award belongs to him. Emeka Chiakwelu is a strategist @ AFRIPOL
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