Let’s Talk About Why We’re Really Mad at Will Smith
I’m going to be honest here…
The most iconic scene of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air comes when Lou, Will’s estranged father, randomly visits him, rekindles his relationship with Will, and selfishly chooses to abandon him once again. After seeing Lou walk out of his life for the last time, Will unleashes his emotions in the presence of Uncle Phil, in what was Will Smith’s best acting on the sitcom.
Will: No, you know what, Uncle Phil? I’ma get through college without him, I’ma get a great job without him, I’ma marry me a beautiful honey, and I’ma have me a whole bunch of kids. I’ll be a better father than he ever was, and I sure as hell don’t need him for that, ’cause ain’t a damn thing he could ever teach me about how to love my kids!
[Will starts to cry]
Will: How come he don’t want me, man?
I don’t know a Black man who grew up in the 90’s that doesn’t remember that scene and for those of us that grew up without our fathers, it still brings tears to our eyes. I knew then and I know now, I love Will Smith.
Knowing the optics, he chose to strike another person, let alone another Black man in the most public of forums and knowing how hard…
