Will Smith, Trans People and That Slap on The Oscars

As the Oscars returns from a long, dormant pandemic induced shutdown, the moment that will be remembered has nothing to do with a win or a loss, but instead will go down in Oscar history for all the wrong reasons.

During the exclusive Oscars ceremony, comedian Chris Rock took to the stage to deliver a short comedic monologue before presenting the award for Best Documentary. Like many hosts and presenters in years prior, the ultra-famous attendee are often the subject of the roasts extolled from behind the podium every March. Ricky Gervais did it. Ellen did it. So did Seth MacFarlane, Steve Martin, Billy Crystal and Jimmy Kimmel. The practice of lampooning the rich in famous from the very event that honors them is the reason many watch, especially since Golden Globes hosts Tina Fey and Amy Pohler made it a practice to turn the event into a viral meme.

Despite having become painfully snobbish and sanctimonious, the Oscars remains one of the most widely watched televised awards ceremonies each year. While Hollywood’s hottest night has celebrated 94 years, the popularity and public interest has been waning recently as it seems a lightening rod for controversy every time the red carpet rolls out. In 2017, the Best Picture awards- the most coveted of the evening- was announced for the film LaLa Land, until quickly and awkwardly, the…