‘So much respect’: Marcus Stroman defends Will Smith, says alopecia jokes not tolerable
Stroman’s views were in the minority, though, as most were quick to point out Smith’s wrongdoing
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Baseball player Marcus Stroman is showing support for Will Smith, saying that jokes about his wife’s autoimmune condition should “never be tolerated.”
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In a moment watched by millions, Smith climbed on the stage at the 94th Academy Awards and slapped comedian and presenter Chris Rock after he told a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith. Police later said Rock declined to press charges against Smith.
Celebrities, politicians and athletes, like former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Stroman, have been sharing their opinions about the incident, in which Rock referenced Pinkett Smith’s baldness, likening her to G.I. Jane. Pinkett Smith has spoken out about her struggle with alopecia, which causes hair loss.
“So much respect for Will Smith,” wrote Stroman on Twitter. “Don’t let anyone talk down on your family.”
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U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, who also has alopecia, thanked Smith in a since-deleted tweet, saying, “Shout out to all the husbands who defend their wives living with alopecia in the face of daily ignorance & insults.”
Pressley has spoken about her struggle with the condition in the past.
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Stroman and Pressley’s views seemed to be in the minority, as most were quick to point out Smith’s wrongdoing. Comedian Kathy Griffin is now worried that others might follow Smith’s lead if they hear a joke they don’t like. In a tweet, Griffin condemned the violence.
“It’s a very bad practice to walk up on stage and physically assault a comedian,” she wrote. “Now we all have to worry about who wants to be the next Will Smith in comedy clubs and theaters.”
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Joining in with the online reactions, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney posted a meme of Smith slapping Rock on Instagram, with Smith representing “reality” and Rock “green energy policies.”
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In a since-deleted tweet, director Judd Apatow said, “That’s pure out of control rage and violence.”
“They’ve heard a million jokes about them in the last three decades. They are not freshman in the world of Hollywood and comedy,” he said of the Hollywood couple. “He lost his mind.”
Apatow also appeared to warn comedian and host Amy Schumer against attending the after party.
Some accused the commentary against Smith as “subtle racism,” as one Twitter user said while posting another one of Apatow’s deleted tweets.
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Rapper Cardi B posted a tweet using Smith’s owns words from his acceptance speech for Best Actor, which he received after Rock was slapped.
“At your highest moment …be careful that’s when the devil tries to come for you,” she wrote.
More comedians, celebrities and politicians have posted about the incident online, including Conan O’Brien, Sophia Bush, Sean Combs and Nick Adams.
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