Posted on 08/09/2004 7:33:21 PM PDT by Vision Thing
In an interview posted today on the website of a major Frankfurt newspaper under the title "George W. Bush Lied to Me," star actor Will Smith had some interesting things to say about the USA, President George W. Bush, Michael Moore and the September 11 terror attacks among other things.
When asked if 9/11 had changed anything for him personally, Smith answered:
No. Absolutely not. When you grow up black in America you have a completely different view of the world than white Americans. We blacks live with a constant feeling of unease. And whether you are wounded in an attack by a racist cop or in a terrorist attack, I’m sorry, it makes no difference.
It is interesting to note that, on a certain level, Smith is comparing American police officers, those charged with protecting society, with Islamic terrorists intent on destroying America and everything it stands for. Smith implies that racism is so rampant among America’s police that it is a threat equal in magnitude to black America as that of international terrorism. Instead of seeing 9/11 as a traumatic watershed event that contributed to uniting black and white America and healing racial tensions, Smith seems to believe that the terrorist attacks have had little impact on what he sees as the poor state of race relations in the USA.
Smith: "UN the Future, Fahrenheit 9/11 Funny and Interesting, Bush Lied to Me"
Smith also praised the United Nations as the idea of the future and mentioned that he had been in contact with Kofi Annan. He stated that he felt lied to by President George W. Bush and his administration when it came to the war in Iraq. He also had the following to say on Michael Moore's new film Fahrenheit 9/11:
“I found the film very funny. I found it interesting, and if it contributes to more people waking up and looking into things and drawing their own conclusions, then that is a good thing. However, one should not view the film as the Bible.
Smith’s audiences in Germany and elsewhere in Europe will certainly be highly receptive to the actor’s views on his own country and will, as a result, likely flock in greater numbers to his film "I, Robot." What Americans make of all this is another matter indeed…we may have another Johnny Depp episode on our hands...
Oh, REALLY? There's a certain segment of the Black community that perceives muslims as more racially tolerant than White Christians, but then again they haven't been paid a visit by the Janjaweed/sarcasm off
Will Smith. Wasn't he one of the Dixie Chicks?
If he thinks the racism is bad in America, he's in for a big surprise in old Blighty. I'd like to see what kind of reception he would get in a northern England pub. That's like a Midwesterner moving to Manitoba to escape cold weather.
I can't believe Smith would down America on foreign soil. There has to be something lost in translation.
Interesting. The thing that struck me right after 9/11 was how insignificant our problems were here in this country with respect to issues like race compared to what we face against these crazy cultists from the middle east out to kill us all.
Too bad. I was hoping the translation was bad because I enjoy his work. Oh well.
In the Article:
You once said you dont belong to an organized party, you are simply a democrat. Do you support John Kerry?
For that I know too little about him. When I return to the States in a few weeks I will meet with him. I have friends that believe very much in him, that speaks for him. But if I publically endorse someone, it will influence a large number of people. Thats why I must check precicely what I reccomend or for who I am. Here in Europe I find it difficult to stay informed what is happening politically. I watched the Convention in Boson on TV, but from here it the context was missing.
(sorry for the poor quicky translation)
One of the most memorable images of 9/11 was the black woman so covered in dust that she looked like a statue. I don't think I ever saw any breakdown of how many black people were murdered in the events of 9/11, but it doesn't matter. They were simply innocent people who didn't deserve to have their lives snatched away. I would like for Will SMith to spend some of his money to travel around and meet all the families of those who died that day. Then go to Iraq and meet the families of those that Saddam and his sons tortured and murdered in droves. Wonder if he would get a better idea of what is good and evil in this world?
The article I read said that Will wants to buy a place in the middle of London, so it looks like he's staying clear of Northern England.
As for a midwesterner moving to Manitoba to escape the cold, I moved from San Diego to Minneapolis (is that where you are?) in 1997 just to live through a real winter. Unfortunately, it was an El Nino year, so the winter was mild by Mpls standards. The coldest I experienced was only -11 degrees Fahranheit with no windchill. I heard it can be much worse than that.
No. Absolutely not. When you grow up black in America you have a completely different view of the world than white Americans. We blacks live with a constant feeling of unease. And whether you are wounded in an attack by a racist cop or in a terrorist attack, I’m sorry, it makes no difference.
*** I hate to say that on the day of 9-11 almost 100% of my American clients said that. That was the one day I ever cursed at work. My boss hung up a small paper flag in the front window and allowed me to have a little 9-11 memorial and people thought it was me the dittohead, not her, that put up all the flag stuff. Eventually people were complaining so much she ripped everything down. Such is life. Meanwhile next door in the Jamaican beef patty joint (where they had Fox News on) I could hear people screaming about new inventive ways to chop up terrorists with cutlasses.
Oddly enough about a week after 9-11 people calmed down and weren't so repulsive in their views. I'm sure they saw the pictures of the black people that died, and realized that the terrorists didn't consider them to be Afrikans, the 'original people' 'Nation of Islam' 'African-Americans' but just another American to blow to bits, or vaporize as so many were in those towers.
I hate to see Will Smith give into his own personal issues and ignore the plight of other people. At least he didn't go all gushy over F911.
You have spoken publically against George W. Bush: You wont vote for him, you said, because he lied to the world.
I did not say, that he lied to the world. I said George W. Bush lied to me. What this man said 10 months ago is totally different from what he said 10 days ago. I was never in Iraq, I know nobody who has been to Iraq, I have never met an Iraqi, therefor it is difficult for me to decide, if the people in iraq need american support or not. I only know what my elected representatives tell me. And if I can't trust their statements, it becomes impossible for me to be the american that I would like to be. I feel I was lied to by this government, and I am not willing to maintain a relationship to someone who lies to me.
(sorry for the poor quicky translation)
His last movie "I, Robot" was pretty bad anyway.
Is the faz.net website a reliable source?
FAZ is one of the largest papers in germany.
Thank you for the translations.
What more is there to say?
Publicity stunt.
-Anybody who badmouths America overseas is a damn traitor.
I liked Smith, now he will never see another nickle of my patronage.
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