Posted on 02/24/2015 2:11:48 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
As the nation continues discussions about police brutality and how it pertains to racism, acting veteran Will Smith is also addressing the way America’s overall obsession with gun culture is leading to many early deaths in the Black community.
The Fresh Prince of Bel Air has also sparked rumors that he may be making a return to the music business with the help of one of hip-hop’s biggest stars, Kanye West.
Smith has spent more than 25 years in the acting business, something that often leaves big stars disconnected from the issues impacting people who don’t benefit from fame and fortune. Smith, on the other hand, has remained relatively grounded throughout his experience in Hollywood.
In a recent interview, Smith addressed gun culture and racism in America and explained that one of the biggest pains he has is not knowing what he can do to solve these problems and ultimately help save young Black lives.
“It’s been rough for me trying to find my position in the struggle and where my voice is needed and helpful,” he told Esquire. “You know, I grew up in Philadelphia, and Philadelphia has a really rough police-brutality history. I grew up in a neighborhood where it was very clear that the police were ‘them’ and we were ‘us.’ ”
Smith revealed that the car he had when he was 17 often got him into a lot of trouble with police.
“I had the full stereo system and the rims and the paint job,” he explained. “I had all of that foolishness that made me get pulled over extra, and I had an attitude the second they pulled me over.”
Smith suggested that while police brutality is an extremely important issue that needs to remain in the spotlight, America’s obsession with gun culture also has to be addressed.
“What we’re really talking about in this issue is people walking around the street with guns that can make a decision whether or not they’re going to kill someone, right,” he continued. “And that’s even more difficult, because there’s really no way back from that. This is a gun culture. And it’s painful for me because I cannot figure out how to be helpful.”
Many famous Black fathers have been opening up about the talks they have to have with their sons in hopes that it will keep them safe when they encounter police officers.
Smith has a different sort of talk with his sons.
“I’ve always been telling my sons, ‘We have to separate fault from responsibility,’” he said. “Whose fault it is that Black men are in this situation, whose fault it is doesn’t matter. It’s our responsibility to make it go right. It’s our responsibility. It’s a lot of people’s fault, systemic racism, and it’s a lot of people’s fault that the Black community is in the situation that we’re in, but it’s our responsibility to clean up the mess.”
Smith may be struggling to find his voice in the movement now, but it’s quite possible that his potential hip-hop return could provide him with the perfect stage to start finding out exactly where his voice is needed.
While all people tend to be impacted by music in some way, none seem to be more engulfed into the current musical culture than millennials — a group that many would argue has an incredible amount of power to change American’s future but is lacking the necessary guidance and leadership.
It’s possible that Smith could become an influential voice for today’s youth, and he’s already started partnering up with an incredibly influential hip-hop great.
It’s been roughly 10 years since Smith released his last solo rap album Lost and Found in 2005, but new reports are suggesting that he could be gearing up for a comeback.
During a screening for his new film Focus, Smith told reporters that he is contemplating getting back into the music business.
“I went into the studio with Kanye [West],” Smith said, according to The Guardian. “I’m thinking about it. I’m exploring.”
West has been consistently recognized as a brilliant creative force—albeit controversial—so his assistance could certainly be a big help to Smith.
Meanwhile, he is also picking up some writing tips from his son Jaden, who is also a rapper.
“My son tells me I have to write out the things I don’t like,” Smith added. “I can’t write and stop. I have to keep going and going and write them out. I’ve never worked like that before, but I think I might give that a shot.”
Perhaps West, the reigning king of samples in hip-hop, could find a great way to integrate the song Smith is best known for into his new music.
“Now this is a story all about how my life got flipped turned upside down….”
Meanwhile, DJ Jazzy Jeff is going, “Hey, what about me?”
‘til a coupla guys that were up to no good, startin’ makin’ trouble in his neighborhood...
I remember to some degree.
the older stuff was just basically silly
Parents just don't understand.
Maybe Will was Deer Hunting, but with Urban Tools. Bye bye Bambi!
He’s a douchebag.
As an American of color myself I’m continually amazed that Black people still don’t get it. They want to blame America’s “gun” culture for their problems. Explain then why Asian Americans and second and third generation Hispanic Americans are not plagued by gun violence and problems with law enforcement. Those two groups value education and intact family units with a father and mother present in the same household. Such simple concepts but completely missing in most Black communities in this country. This isn’t rocket science. Until Blacks accept the fact they are their own worst enemies, and also their own solution to their internal problems as a people, they will continue to lag behind all Americans in overall economic and personal success and happiness.
> Hopefully you didn’t go to the theater and pay for a Taken 3 movie ticket!
Liam Neeson will never get so much as another dime from me.
There was absolutely nothing to watch and I needed to get out of the house.
I’d be wondering when Will Smith finally “jumped the shark” into irrelevance and obscurity, but that expression has already “jumped the shark” itself, leaving we wordless ...
Fresh Prince was also a family values show people could let their kids watch without having to hover with the remote, like wth Friends or Seinfeld.
Finally! Someone got it :)
Isn’t he a Scientologist?
“Whose fault it is that Black men are in this situation, whose fault it is doesn’t matter. It’s our responsibility to make it go right. It’s our responsibility. It’s a lot of people’s fault, systemic racism, and it’s a lot of people’s fault that the Black community is in the situation that we’re in, but it’s our responsibility to clean up the mess.”
That’s a pretty solid thing to teach his sons if you ask me. Not to wallow around wondering who is at fault, just accept that it’s theirs to fix. Good citizenship 101 there.
It really is beyond rational debate that there was institutional racism here. Governmentally it ended in the 50s and 60s. In peoples minds, mostly a while later.
He isn’t exactly being a radical to say that.
He is telling his kids that when they encounter things that still might not be right, accept personal responsibility to make it right.
Not a thing wrong with that. And a damn sight better than the race pimp point of view.
The country has bent over backwards to make amends for the racism in its past.
The black community of today with its culture of dependency is the author of its own dilemma. They are at fault, not the white man, not the welfare state, not the nation.
Acknowledging that first is how to 'take responsibility'.
His agreeing to play the role of pervert/liar/child abuser Alfred Kinsey was the end for me. Neeson no mas.
Was vs. IS.
I think your lumping Smith in with the rest of the dependency culture is sort of unAmerican. He is an individual. He doesn’t wallow in filth or record it, and has made a number of very entertaining shows and films for general audiences. I have never heard him playing “the card” in a situation. He has been married to the same woman for many years. He is an individual, and one who knows that if he comes down hard on either side of this question, many from both outside and inside “the community” will try to destroy him. I think he deserves to be an individual, not bear the “black man’s burden” for all the ills of a demographic group.
And the government (IRS, FBI, EPA, etc.) is engaging in a political witchhunt against innocent persons. THAT is institutionalized harassment and it gets NO ink from the media.
And it is caused by The Man in the White House.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.