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I haven’t written in here in a while. But I have something to say that won’t fit in a Facebook status.

And, frankly, I think it deserves more than that.

Have you ever been one of the ones who hear about an abuse situation and you ask yourself “why didn’t he/she just tell someone? Why didn’t they ask for help?”

Well, look at what just happened last night.

Look at what Will Smith did and, more notably, what Chris Rock did.

And there’s your answer.

If you haven’t heard yet (and I don’t know how you couldn’t have), last night Chris Rock (or whoever writes his material…come on now, you know he doesn’t make this stuff up as he goes) insulted Will Smith’s wife Jada by saying she should do a G.I. Jane 2 movie because of her shaved head. Jada has alopecia. It was a low blow, and I don’t think anyone would deny that. And that’s what the Oscars is all about. It’s a gigantic actor roast that the actors usually take with a grain of salt and laugh off.

But not this time.

Will Smith, slowly and methodically, rose from his seat, walked up to Chris Rock on national television, and smacked the crap out of him. He then went to his seat and screamed expletives…still on live television…telling Chris Rock to keep his wife’s name out of his ******* mouth.

Okidoke.

Now, the whole world (including me) has been focusing on what Will did and whether or not it was “justified.” (My take? HELL to the no.)

But I want to focus on something else.

Chris Rock.

Watch his reaction. If you’ve ever “been there,” then you know. I don’t have to tell you.

First, Chris jokes it away. Second, Chris agrees with him – he tells him he will keep her name out of his mouth as he has asked. Third, he unbelievably shakes it off as well as he can. He remains professional. “The show must go on.”

Then, today, I hear he’s not pressing charges.

There you go. THAT is why.

Half of the world right now is applauding Will Smith. And he didn’t even do this behind closed doors. He walked up to the man in front of God and everyone and he’s GETTING AWAY WITH IT. Not only is he getting away with it, some people are patting him on the back for it.

And why?

Because he is who he is.

I was married to a Will Smith once. No, he wasn’t internationally known for his acting career. But he sure was known as a “real good guy” in our church. And when I reached out for help, I was not believed. I was told that, religiously, the man was the head of the house and I should obey.

I see Chris Rock’s face and I wonder how many times my face showed the same expression. The shock, then the acceptance, and then the façade. Always the façade that comes next. The mask. The moving on. The keeping the show going and trying your best to make sure everyone else is okay and not “rock the boat” with a response that showed any emotion.

Why would anyone do anything about a “good guy” doing something like that behind closed doors, when a “good guy” just did it on live national television and not one damn thing will be done about it?

That’s why.

No, this is not a stretch. Physical violence was just condoned and some of us felt that in the depths of our soul and will never forget it.

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