Black folks weren't tripping. Had he slapped a white boy he'd be done for sure and possibly criminal charges. The cops asked Chris Rock if he wanted to file charges. There are accounts of white actors hitting and fighting co stars and the thought of criminal charges were NEVER an issue. Hitting far, far more than what Will Smith did, closed fists, wounds, the whole 9.
The comments from white stars was on some extra shit as well.
This is white folks seeing an opportuntiy to shit on a black man over the top. Pure and simple. The key is us. Once we say 'okay, enough already' it will end. And by that I specifically mean blacks with a platform that reaches people: The Breakfast Club, big stars in interviews, etc.
Also if Hollywood refuses to use him, Tyler Perry and other blacks should use him in something.