Willow Smith Says She and Brother Jaden Felt ‘Shunned’ by the Black Community on the Latest Episode of ‘Red Table Talk’
In the latest Red Table Talk episode, Willow Smith opens up about her and brother Jaden feeling rejected by the Black community.
In this week’s Red Table Talk episode, a Facebook Watch talk show featuring Jada Pinkett Smith, daughter Willow, and mother Adrienne, the ladies discussed the issue of mom-shaming. They each shared their thoughts and experiences surrounding the topic.
In sharing, Willow revealed that she and brother Jaden didn’t feel accepted by the Black community. Once the two became older and began to embrace their individuality, many in the Black community judged them for being different and criticized Will and Jada’s parenting styles.
Smith says she felt like people shamed her mom through her and would blame her mother for the way she presented herself. She recalls going to public events and hearing people say things like, “It’s not your fault. Your mom should’ve taught you better,” she says.
When Willow cut her hair & Jaden dressed outside the gender norms wearing skirts & painting his nails y’all called them weird & said Will & Jada should “beat them”. It’s sad cause they don’t bother nobody https://t.co/KsDNlXou8T
— Drebae (@Drebae_) October 16, 2020
Smith’s comments have opened up a discussion about how the Black community has treated the Smith children in recent years, and many agree with her statements. In 2016, Jaden wore a skirt for a Louis Vuitton campaign, which led many in the Black community to bully the teen online and question his sexuality.
Bro don’t even act like y’all was supportive of Jaden or Willow bro. yall stay callin them weird or gay or sum other stuff. Y’all grow tf up and let people express themselves. pic.twitter.com/taVWmBF0Gt
— Nami no Kami (@WaveGawd6) October 16, 2020
When Willow shaved her head at 12-years-old, many Black people called her weird and accused Will and Jada of being bad parents and not raising their children properly. Many still feel this way today as the two have grown up in the public eye. Both Willow and Jaden are known for daring to be different and expressing themselves freely, which many do not agree with.
I will never forget when Jaden started painting his nails and changing his style and y’all called him “gay” or when Willow cut her hair and y’all sat here and disrespected Will and Jada’s parenting skills. Y’all are some hypocritical clowns. pic.twitter.com/hyMzuMly53
— TyDy4Life (@IcePrinceBrando) October 16, 2020
Smith’s feelings of rejection also have people discussing homophobia and embracing individuality in the Black community. Many agree that Black children aren’t given the space to be different and express themselves in the same way as white children, and they’re often put into a box and expected to conform to the stereotype of the poster Black child.
Many have also acknowledged how white children on social media are now being praised for the same things that Willow and Jaden were bullied for years ago, like boys painting their nails and wearing feminine clothes.
They absolutely were. They were shunned because their parents allowed them to be free thinking and didn’t beat the creativity out of them. And now in 2020 y’all are on the waves they were on years ago… https://t.co/4FGPyW1bmo
— *taps on the mic* (@taurustears) October 16, 2020
We hope that Willow sharing her thoughts helps open Black people’s minds to accept differences and self-expression. Be sure to catch the latest Red Table Talk episode, “Mom Shaming: The New Epidemic,” also featuring Jessica Alba and model Ashley Graham, now available on Facebook Watch.
Writer | Tweet me @itsjadak
