Veteran actor Harry J. Lennix shared what he believes actor Will Smith needs to do after slapping comedian Chris Rock during the 94th Academy Awards ceremony.
In a column published by Variety over the weekend, Lennix commented on the Academy’s decision to ban smith from the Oscars for the next 10 years, calling it “little more than an extended time out for a playground bully.”
He added, “It’s a toothless penalty that lays bare the shallowness of Hollywood morals.”
Lennix suggested Smith is the only one who can “redeem the integrity of the Oscars.”
Arguing Smith needs to “come to grips with the gravity of the offense,” Lennix explained he also needs to “express-mail his golden trophy back to the Academy and publicly state something to the effect of: ‘Out of respect for the 94 years of honor conferred upon this award, I do not in good conscience feel worthy of being its custodian.'”
According to Lennix, the most “galling” statement Smith made in the aftermath of the incident was “his reference to the influence of a higher power during his surreal acceptance speech.”
Will Smith Must Return His Oscar to Restore the Award’s Honor (Guest Column) https://t.co/wDaMvd87kh
— Variety (@Variety) April 9, 2022
He was also stunned by the “Academy’s equally shocking decision not to eject Smith from the ceremony.”
Lennix said Smith’s “attempt to explain his actions added to the travesty of this ethical catastrophe.”
He continued, “In couching his acceptance speech as somehow submitting to the will of God, Smith abdicated personal accountability.”
The column goes on to accuse Smith of creating an “existential crisis” for the academy.
In concluding his piece, Lennix wrote, “The stain on the Motion Picture Academy cannot be easily remediated.”
He added, “The only hope for a justifiable grace must involve Smith voluntarily returning his award for best actor.”
Included in the academy’s decision to ban Smith from the Oscars for 10 years was an apology for failing to act sooner, as IJR reported.
“For this, we are sorry,” the academy said.
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences bans Will Smith from Oscars and all other Academy events for 10 years https://t.co/pHimrpbuzX pic.twitter.com/Vdf3BhqZ94
— Reuters (@Reuters) April 9, 2022
The statement continues, “This was an opportunity for us to set an example for our guests, viewers and our Academy family around the world, and we fell short — unprepared for the unprecedented.”
