My Response to Will Smith Slapping Chris Rock

Last weekend, Will Smith walked on stage at the Oscars and slapped Chris Rock for making a joke about his wife. Since that moment, my phone and inbox have been inundated non-stop with people (friends, family, readers, journalists) wanting my “take” on the situation. After all, I just spent three years co-writing a book with Will about mastering one’s emotions. What the hell?

First, let’s begin with the obvious: What he did was unacceptable. What I write here is not meant to justify or excuse hi...