When I was in high school a fellow disrespected my lady one day so I had to "take care uh bizness". Man, I didn't wanna hit the guy. He was joking, but being a man meant I had to. Today they call it toxic masculinity but back then it was deck the guy or be ridiculed by the entire class of 82 (so it seemed).
So I walked around pacing for a bit while a crowd gathered, then commence to dishing out verbal jabs as the guy appologized over and over. But it had to be done so I drew back (whispering "sorry man I gotta do it") and punched the guy above his ear, which hurt me a lot more than him. The crowd let out a cheer. And I walked away all cocky like the fresh prince did the other night. It was just one big act in front of a crowd but it worked.
I tell that story because I think that's what happened the other night on tv. Fresh Prince probably didn't want to slap the guy, but he had to.
My strategy for dealing with this type of stuff in school was to just ignore it, as in walk right by as if I didn't hear it. It was usually pretty effective. They might repeat the insult a few times. I wouldn't even bother turning my head in their direction. Nope, just kept walking, as if they don't even exist. The old adage about sticks and stones comes to mind.
Don't believe in guys defending insults against their wives, gfs, whatever, either. Same tactic. Just ignore it. If the person you're with expects you to get physical because someone insulted them, drop them like a hot potato. It's just words. I'll defend someone I care about if they're physically attacked, or if someone attempts to physically attack them, but not worth it for verbal attacks. Life is just too short.
Will Smith is what, 53? Grow up already. Fine, go up to the stage and scream your lungs out. It was a joke made in very bad taste. But get physical? Me and most of my friends were past that nonsense by the end of grade school.
That said, I would have loved to have seen his wife slug Chris. I saw that once in school. The class idiot was insulting someone's gf over and over. Right out the blue
she clobbered him. He looked so embarrassed to be bested by a girl he never insulted anyone ever again.