Academy Awards Slammed For Lukewarm Statement After Will Smith-Chris Rock Slap

Well, here’s a first for the Oscars. After Will Smith slapped Chris Rock during the 94th Academy Awards, the Academy has released a statement deploring violence. But considering said statement fails to address the myriad of things that went wrong last night, people are not taking it well.

“The Academy does not condone violence of any form,” the organization tweeted around 1 a.m. ET. “Tonight we are delighted to celebrate our 94th Academy Awards winners, who deserve this moment of recognition from their peers and movie lovers around the world.”

If you have no idea what this vague tweet was referring to, clearly you weren’t watching the Oscars. While presenting the award for Best Documentary, host Chris Rock made a joke that took aim at Jada Pinkett-Smith. Noting Smith’s bald hairstyle, which she started sporting after being diagnosed with the autoimmune disorder alopecia, Rock said that Smith looks like she could star in G.I. Jane 2.

Will Smith immediately jumped on stage and slapped Rock. After returning to his seat, he repeatedly screamed “Keep my wife’s name out your fucking mouth.” It was a moment so bizarre and shocking, it left many fans wondering if it was a joke or not. Unfortunately, it wasn’t.

Smith later apologized onstage while accepting his Oscar for King Richard. Rock has also addressed the controversy in private. In a statement acquired by Variety, Rock told the LAPD that he will not be pressing charges against Smith at this time.

That brings us back to the Academy’s statement. After the assault happened, Smith was not escorted off the premise and was allowed to receive his Oscar. Many people on Twitter were quick to point out this hypocrisy:

The statement rang false for other fans for a different reason. As many have pointed out, several celebrities have been accused of sexual harassment and assault and have still won Oscars.

The Hollywood Reporter’s Chief Television Critic, Daniel Fienberg, even offered an alternative statement that seemed more in line with the chaos of the evening:

After this lackluster response, it seems unlikely that this is the last we’ll be hearing from the Academy.