With all the recent fervor over the confrontation between Will Smith and Chris Rock at the Oscars® over a comment made about Jada Pinkett Smith, there’s one character I have yet to Change Your Perspective, Improve Your Response to see explored in the aftermath: G.I. Jane.
Several years ago, when I was building my business as a speaker, author, and consultant, I had the most remarkable “side hustle” one could imagine. I was a movie reviewer, syndicated to about 80 television newscasts in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. Each week, I’d offer my opinion on the latest film releases — and back in August 1997, my review was about a Ridley Scott-directed movie that starred Demi Moore, entitled “G.I. Jane.”
While I haven’t been able to locate my exact review, I still remember I gave the film three-and-a-half stars out of five. I also recall that my sentiments about the movie precisely aligned with those of my friend, the late Roger Ebert.
He wrote:
“She (G.I. Jane) just wants to prove a woman can survive Navy SEAL training so rigorous that 60 percent of the men don’t make it.”
“Jordan O’Neil (G.I. Jane’s name in the film – Demi Moore’s character) is a Navy veteran who resents not being allowed into combat during the Gulf War. Now there’s a move underway for full female equality in the fighting forces. Its leader, Sen. Lillian DeHaven (Anne Bancroft), wants no more coddling: ‘If women measure up, we’ll get 100 percent integration.’ O’Neil is selected as a promising candidate, and reports for SEAL training….”
“The training sequences are as they have to be: incredible rigors, survived by O’Neil. They are good cinema because Ridley Scott, the director, brings a documentary attention to them, and because Demi Moore, having bitten off a great deal here, proves she can chew it. The wrong casting in her role could have tilted the movie toward ‘Private Benjamin,’ but Moore is serious, focused, and effective.”
“Demi Moore remains one of the most venturesome of current stars, and although her films do not always succeed, she shows imagination in her choice of projects. It is also intriguing to watch her work with the image of her body.”
“…all of these women (Moore’s previous roles), and now O’Neil (G.I. Jane), test the tension between a woman’s body and a woman’s ambition and will. G.I. Jane does it most obviously, and effectively.” (from “G.I. Jane review” on RogerEbert.com)
Now, almost 25 years later, Demi Moore’s striking appearance — not just her physique but the military-look haircut — is remembered more than the primary point of the movie: smart, strong, and powerful women can and should be equal contributors in any endeavor.
I’m not naive, and I would not suggest that this strong female character was what Chris Rock had in mind when he said what he did about Jada Pinkett Smith. He was likely poking at her hairstyle, which he may or may not have recognized was due to her struggles with alopecia.
However, every person possesses the ability to control how he or she responds to situations – even if you’re on the front row of the Oscars®. You can change and better manage your responses when you choose to change and improve your perspective.
What if Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith had chosen to perceive Chris Rock’s comment as a positive one? What if the Smiths had confidently smiled and said, “Thank you for the compliment.” How would their reaction have changed the tone of the conversation? My guess is that it would have prevented a highly unnecessary confrontation.
Here is the ultimate irony in all of this: Will Smith struck Chris Rock for calling his wife a character who proved herself to be every bit the equal of the best of men…a powerful woman who wanted to stand up for herself and not have anyone else do it for her.
What if more people decided to choose a positive perspective when faced with difficult comments or situations? It could change the way we react and the way we behave. I believe it would lead to more productive and amicable outcomes.
When we change our perspective, we can improve our response.
Article written by Scott McKain who is a customer service expert.
Contact us at Speakers Inc and view WeSpeak Global
No results available
Rich Mulholland: A Beacon of Sales, Leadership, and Innovation In the rapidly evolving landscape of business and leadership, few figures stand out quite like Rich Mulholland. As the founder of Missing Link, a company renowned for its transformative approach to presentations and communication, Rich has become a leading authority on sales, leadership, and innovation. His […]
Inspiring Leadership: A Deep Dive into the Top Military Speakers in North America Top Military Speakers possess a unique ability to captivate audiences with their stories of leadership, resilience, and dedication to a greater cause. In North America, a diverse array of military leaders, veterans, and experts take the stage to share their insights, experiences, […]
A Corporate Event Not Built Around a Speaker – They’re Just an Add-On Rethinking the Role of Speakers in Corporate Events For years, the keynote speaker has been viewed as the defining element of corporate events. But let’s face it: in today’s rapidly evolving business world, successful events are not structured around a single person […]
The Essence of Authentic Leadership: Embracing Genuine Influence with Erin Hatzikostas In an era where leadership is often synonymous with corporate jargon and pretense, the concept of authentic leadership emerges as a beacon of hope and integrity. Authentic leadership transcends traditional leadership paradigms by emphasizing transparency, genuine relationships, and a commitment to personal and organizational […]
Authentic Leadership Building Trust, Connection and Productivity in Corporate Culture Authentic leadership is more than a buzzword; it’s a powerful approach to building trust, enhancing communication, and fostering a culture where people feel safe, valued, and genuinely engaged. At its core, authentic leadership is about leading with integrity, self-awareness, and transparency. It doesn’t mean being […]
Speakers Who Spark Growth — Reignite Purpose. Re-frame Possibility. Realign Potential. As the season changes and the world blossoms into spring, it’s the perfect time for organizations to refresh their mindset, refocus their goals, and re-energize their teams. Growth—whether personal, professional, or organizational—starts with the right spark. And that spark often comes from hearing the […]
10 Lessons Learned and the messages I want to share with all of you. At the end of last year, I made the awkward decision to leave the world that had given so much to me, to pursue something that wasn’t well defined, yet oddly was clearly the right path for me to take. After […]
Transforming Mindsets: How Motivational Speakers Fuel Personal and Professional Growth In a world defined by rapid technological advances, shifting global markets, and increasingly competitive work environments, cultivating the right mindset has become more crucial than ever. Organizations and individuals alike are discovering that technical knowledge and hard skills alone are not enough to navigate ever-evolving […]
No results available
Our Mission:
© All rights reserved 2025. Designed using Voxel