Like many celebrities during these unprecedented times, actor Will Smith recently shared his experience with prejudice and racism. As a young man in Philadelphia, he was called the n-word on many occasions.
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The Bad Boys star shared his experience with political commentator and activist Angela Rye on her podcast, On One With Angela Rye. "I grew up in Philadelphia," Smith recalled to Rye. "I grew up under Mayor Rizzo. He went from the chief of police to becoming the mayor, and he had an iron hand."
Frank Rizzo served as the city’s police commissioner before he became the mayor from 1972 to 1980. He’s well known for his anti-desegregation platform. Rizzo's relationship with Philadelphia's black community was capricious and often racially charged. Smith was born in Philadelphia in 1968 and spent his youth in the city during this volatile time.
"I've been called n----- by the cops in Philly on more than 10 occasions," he explained to Rye. "I got stopped frequently. So I understand what it's like to be in those circumstances with the police." Smith was glad to see Black Lives Matter protests gaining so much support around the country and the world. "We are in a circumstance that we've never been in before," Smith said, "The entire globe has stood up and said to the African American people, 'We see you and we hear you. How can we help?' We've never been there before."
Smith hopes that the Black Lives Matter trajectory continues to garner change. He plans to support the movement as well as he is able. "I am pledging my unending devotion to the evolution of my community and the evolution of my country, and ultimately the world, towards the greatest harmony that we'll be able to create," he said. "I am happy to be alive during this time, and to serve."
