Oscars 2022: It's unfortunate this year will be remembered for buffoonery over strides in representation
FirstpostWill Smith slapping Chris Rock on stage was the theme of the Oscars 2022 night — a cascade of microaggressions that overshadowed the progress that was witnessed during the ceremony. But the actor would not have any of it, and instead kept cussing at the comedian from his seat, repeatedly shouting “Keep my wife’s name out of your f*cking mouth.” At first, there were whispers over whether the moment was scripted but then again, the display of toxic male ego does not exactly play by the written word. Smith’s outburst ended up taking away the limelight from the eventual Documentary Feature winner — Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s Summer of Soul, stripping him of his moment to celebrate and drowning out his thoughtful speech. CODA ’s Best Picture win also meant two back-to-back wins for films helmed by female directors.