Episode 2
The Oscar Slap! A Masculinity Researcher’s Take on Hypermasculinity and Clean Comedy.
Do You Think Violence is a Part of Strength in Masculinity?
Have you been raised believing that to be a strong, masculine man is to be controlling and domineering and violent?
Join me in this episode of the Secure Masculinity podcast, as I share my thoughts as a masculinity researcher on the slap heard ‘round the world… also known as the time Will Smith slapped Chris Rock on stage at the 2022 Oscars Academy Awards ceremony.
Rather than shying away from this discussion because you’re “sick and tired” of hearing about it, consider this conversation as something to embrace and understand. After all, there’s a reason why this slap sparked so much chatter… There are changes we need to make and these two men have been the catalyst for these much-needed changes.
Listen in as this masculinity researcher views, analyzes, and conceptualizes the act of physical aggression at the 2022 Oscars.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- [02:49] Is violence ever acceptable?
- [03:51] What’s the backstory and why does it matter?
- [05:20] How traditional masculinity defines what it means to be a “real” man?
- [07:59] Was Will Smith justified in slapping Chris Rock?
- [10:19] Patriarchy leads us to associate strength with violence… So, is this why society doesn’t support male victims of domestic violence?
- [15:06] Was Will Smith’s slap an example of toxic masculinity?
- [19:25] Why the slang word “simp” is disrespectful to men.
- [19:42] Who is responsible for the violence inflicted on someone?
- [27:20] Should comedians get a pass for doing their job, even if it hurts someone else? Can we take a joke?
- [30:46] Why we shouldn’t cancel role models who make mistakes.
- [36:21] This story is an opportunity for growth: Let’s start a conversation about positive masculinity and cleaner comedy!
All right let’s do this!
Here are a few key takeaways…
- First off, violence is never the solution to a problem.
- Traditional masculinity AKA the culture of patriarchy teaches men that a strong man is in charge of his wife and children. Everything they do and his ability to control them, is a reflection of his strength, rather than treating them as his equals.
- Male victims of domestic violence comprise the largest group of victims who are blamed for being victimized. Why? Because of our persistence to associate masculinity and strength with violence.
- Over the last few generations, our society has begun rapidly evolving spiritually, emotionally, and mentally. Much of what used to be acceptable behavior is rightfully viewed as toxic. Though, many people have become so terrified of change that they view it as an attack.
- It makes sense to view Will Smith’s actions as toxic masculinity! He is living in a society that judges him for showing a lack of violence and then cancels him for showing violence.
He’s stuck between a rock and a hard place just like many other men.
- Cancel culture is the new tribalism. All sides do it for one simple reason: to distance ourselves from those we deem “inferior” to us so that we can look better and shine brighter.
- The concept of emasculation is a falsehood fabricated by traditional masculinity. A man is a man is a man, PERIOD! No one has the power to emasculate you, not even yourself.
- Even though he is a comedian, Chris Rock bears responsibility, too! Words have power and energy and can be used as a violent weapon.
A comedian’s responsibility goes further than just making people laugh.
- This is an opportunity for us to start a conversation about healthy and positive masculinity, as well as start a movement towards cleaner comedy.
If you enjoyed this episode and want to further support us, please RATE & REVIEW Secure Masculinity on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon, Spotify and Stitcher! Then, SHARE this episode with a friend or two!
Connect with me!
Follow me on Twitter: 
Follow Positive Masculinity Academy on Instagram: 
Visit Positive Masculinity Academy’s website: https://positivemasculinityacademy.com
Follow Feminists For Men on Instagram:
Visit Feminists for Men’s website: https://feministsformen.org
Learn about my cancer prevention work: www.doctorjamshidi.com
Do You Think Violence is a Part of Strength in Masculinity?
Have you been raised believing that to be a strong, masculine man is to be controlling and domineering and violent?
Join me in this episode of the Secure Masculinity podcast, as I share my thoughts as a masculinity researcher on the slap heard ‘round the world… also known as the time Will Smith slapped Chris Rock on stage at the 2022 Oscars Academy Awards ceremony.
Rather than shying away from this discussion because you’re “sick and tired” of hearing about it, consider this conversation as something to embrace and understand. After all, there’s a reason why this slap sparked so much chatter… There are changes we need to make and these two men have been the catalyst for these much-needed changes.
Listen in as this masculinity researcher views, analyzes, and conceptualizes the act of physical aggression at the 2022 Oscars.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- [02:49] Is violence ever acceptable?
- [03:51] What’s the backstory and why does it matter?
- [05:20] How traditional masculinity defines what it means to be a “real” man?
- [07:59] Was Will Smith justified in slapping Chris Rock?
- [10:19] Patriarchy leads us to associate strength with violence… So, is this why society doesn’t support male victims of domestic violence?
- [15:06] Was Will Smith’s slap an example of toxic masculinity?
- [19:25] Why the slang word “simp” is disrespectful to men.
- [19:42] Who is responsible for the violence inflicted on someone?
- [27:20] Should comedians get a pass for doing their job, even if it hurts someone else? Can we take a joke?
- [30:46] Why we shouldn’t cancel role models who make mistakes.
- [36:21] This story is an opportunity for growth: Let’s start a conversation about positive masculinity and cleaner comedy!
All right let’s do this!
Here are a few key takeaways…
- First off, violence is never the solution to a problem.
- Traditional masculinity AKA the culture of patriarchy teaches men that a strong man is in charge of his wife and children. Everything they do and his ability to control them, is a reflection of his strength, rather than treating them as his equals.
- Male victims of domestic violence comprise the largest group of victims who are blamed for being victimized. Why? Because of our persistence to associate masculinity and strength with violence.
- Over the last few generations, our society has begun rapidly evolving spiritually, emotionally, and mentally. Much of what used to be acceptable behavior is rightfully viewed as toxic. Though, many people have become so terrified of change that they view it as an attack.
- It makes sense to view Will Smith’s actions as toxic masculinity! He is living in a society that judges him for showing a lack of violence and then cancels him for showing violence.
He’s stuck between a rock and a hard place just like many other men.
- Cancel culture is the new tribalism. All sides do it for one simple reason: to distance ourselves from those we deem “inferior” to us so that we can look better and shine brighter.
- The concept of emasculation is a falsehood fabricated by traditional masculinity. A man is a man is a man, PERIOD! No one has the power to emasculate you, not even yourself.
- Even though he is a comedian, Chris Rock bears responsibility, too! Words have power and energy and can be used as a violent weapon.
A comedian’s responsibility goes further than just making people laugh.
- This is an opportunity for us to start a conversation about healthy and positive masculinity, as well as start a movement towards cleaner comedy.
If you enjoyed this episode and want to further support us, please RATE & REVIEW Secure Masculinity on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon, Spotify and Stitcher! Then, SHARE this episode with a friend or two!
Connect with me!
Follow me on Twitter:
Follow Positive Masculinity Academy on Instagram:
Visit Positive Masculinity Academy’s website: https://positivemasculinityacademy.com
Follow Feminists For Men on Instagram:
Visit Feminists for Men’s website: https://feministsformen.org
Learn about my cancer prevention work: www.doctorjamshidi.com
