This is the most thoughtful and well-considered article that I've read so far about The Slap. Do I approve of what Will Smith did? No, I don't. But I did experience a rush of satisfaction at seeing consequences meted out for the cruel, cheap shot that Rock aimed at Pinkett Smith, assuming he was safe to puff himself up at her expense. And yes, this on top of a week of seeing Judge Jackson savaged by a crowd of powerful white bigots — yikes. It would be a wonderful unexpected consequence if The Slap made people think twice before insulting or abusing another Black woman. One comment to your point about white women having been considered worthy of protection and respect in our patriarchal culture: that's more a function of white women being considered the accoutrements and reflections of the men who lay claim to them. White women who don't, can't, or won't remain under the protective umbrella of dutiful wives and daughters of sufficiently powerful white men haven't fared as well.