WILLARD CARROLL SMITH

I am trying to bury my head in the sand and act like this Will and Chris thing never happened, but it’s not helping… I certainly wish it hadn’t happened.   

I read and reread Will’s newly released book as a life reference, because there is so much to unpack—so much to learn. And in this moment I see and truly believe the wounds of a boy that has not gotten past the pain of being too afraid to defend his battered mother is still trying to compensate for that. And believe me, women ESPECIALLY Black woman want to feel protected and defended when necessary— like the way Corey Booker supported, defended and honored Ketanji Brown with his platform, intelligence, and reinforcement of her publicly. Obviously physical harm requires a different type of response, but this was not that.

Will had the perfect opportunity to do exactly what Corey did in an display of honoring his wife. Instead he humiliated himself. And if anyone understands the impact and consequences of abuse and unresolved wounds… I do. I also understand that when we turn trauma into fuel towards greatness, redemption, and excellence… the reality of the trauma doesn’t become nonexistent.

I think of the scripture, “Don’t let your good be spoken evil of.” ~Romans 14:16~ and unfortunately that’s what’s happening today of a man whose career trajectory was practically unblemished.

So, instead of the talk about if it’s right or wrong, what he did, maybe we should be viewing this through the lens of mental health and the lack of wellness thereof. I am born and raised Philly suburbs, and have loved and admired Will from the beginning, but this can’t  be glorified. This behavior can’t be romanticized as a man defending his woman… there’s a bigger problem at play. Will is still trying to redeem himself from not being able to defend his mother. I don’t doubt that he vowed that he’d never live with that guilt ever again. I just wish he had done it differently because brick by brick you can build your dynasty, and just one bad move— mission can be aborted.

#Will #WillSmith #Traumaunhealed #AcademyAwards2022 #mentalhealth #TraumaTriggered