Will Smith’s Ban Has Divided The Academy

Many people in the Academy have started to have mixed feelings regarding Will Smith’s 10-year ban from the Oscars. Some people think the decision is too harsh while some feel that the Academy is being too lenient.

TMZ reports that there have been a handful of reactions from people, none of them are from the Board of Governors. Many have been public about how they feel about the decision taken by the Academy this week. Quite a few people have taken Will’s side and said that the punishment is too harsh. A few famous personalities such as Stephen Potter, Harry Shearer, and Beverly Walker all felt that this was punitive.

Harry says, “If Will Smith, or any other A-list actor, had run on stage and simply pulled down his pants and defecated, I seriously doubt he’d/she’d be back on that stage in 10 years, or ever … A decade-long ban seems oddly parental, as in, he’ll have outgrown his slappin’ phase by then.”

Beverly was also on Will’s side. She has an issue with, “the Academy’s longstanding habit of hiring comedian/hosts to march out and insult or make fun of the very people being celebrated,” adding, “there have undoubtedly been some who would’ve liked to make some sort of protest, What Rock said was egregious and he had to know it would not be appreciated.” 

Mitchell Block also said, “The board of governors should have reviewed why David Rubin and/or Dawn Hudson failed to have Will Smith immediately removed from the theater after he physically attacked one of the hosts,” adding, “Their poor judgment demonstrated an inability to lead and be proactive under pressure and respond to this behavior. I am deeply disappointed that the governors did not censure them.”

Steven Scott commented on the matter to say, “I also am disappointed that Chris Rock and The Academy decided not to press charges for Will’s attack. What message are we sending — that when we’re assaulted, it’s best to just keep our ‘composure’ and not complain?” He added, “Before someone tells me that other Hollywood A-listers have done awful things, yet kept their Oscars, none of them did their crimes live, on air, from the Academy home stage on our special night, in front of all the world to see.”

Scott further added, “”There is no precedent for Will’s horrific physical and verbal assault, and the punishment should have been unprecedented as well. I am disgusted by my Academy’s appallingly weak, amoral, kowtowing-to-an-A-lister response.”

Will is not angry with the Academy’s decision. Although he is banned from attending the Academy Awards ceremonies he can still be nominated for Oscars. Even if he wins one he can keep it.

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