Violence

Dianne from Hamilton East

In amongst the horrific situation in Ukaraine, and the equally destructive scenes throughout this world of ours it appears violence is condoned if you are a super star
Should anyone be wondering what Im referring to, it is the clip from the Oscars this year; no I did not watch them, someone told me about this and I looked for myself. It is of course the clip about Will Smith.
Now of course the question must be asked whether this was scripted or not
However, in hindsight, I wonder if that really matters, for to make violence a joke, in front of an audience of (purportedly) millions, is at the very least offensive.
It is deeply concerning that Will Smith punched someone and then verbally abused him, and no one seems to be holding him account for his actions!
Does it matter that he was sticking up for his wife, NO
Violence, is not okay,
By all means tell the person to apologise, that the joke offended himself and his wife, but to punch him and verbally abuse someone - is absolutely uncalled for
I ask myself, when did it became alright for a Megastar to physically and verbally abuse someone? Where are the bastions of the individuals rights in America? Where is the appropriate response from the powerful people behind the Oscars and those in Hollywood?
What the hell kind of message does it send to our young, in particular, when this level of violence, on show, in front of millions is allowed to go unheeded without any accountability WHATSOEVER.
Violence is violence, no matter what gender, colour, income, notability, etc.....it would do well for Mr Will Smith to remember that
And I encourage those people who may have viewed this, here in Hamilton and beyond, who had children watching, to articulate their abhorrence of this violent behaviour to them, for surely it is only through the young that we have a chance for a more peaceful, constructive world