My school was 90 percent white, but 90 percent of the kids I played with were black. So I got the best of both worlds. I think that is where my comedy developed.
Will SmithRead
There's so much negative imagery of black fatherhood. I've got tons of friends that are doing the right thing by their kids, and doing the right thing as a father - and how come that's not as newsworthy?
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the often overlooked positive aspects of black fatherhood in contrast to negative portrayals in media.
Will Smith's quote addresses the disparity between the negative images often associated with black fatherhood and the reality of many black fathers who are dedicated and responsible. He questions why these positive examples are not given the same attention in the media, emphasizing the need for a more balanced representation of black fathers who are actively involved in their children's lives.
Themes
Black FatherhoodMedia RepresentationFatherhoodPositivityResponsibility
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech advocating for better representation of black fathers, this quote can inspire conversations about family values.
More from Will Smith
All quotes →In my mind, I've always been an A-list Hollywood superstar. Y'all just didn't know yet.
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The first eight years of schooling was with all white people. So that helped me to understand how white people think. I think that transition is what helped me bridge the gap, because that's what my success has really been about: bridging the gap between the black community and the white community.
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We all want to be in love and find that person who is going to love us no matter how our feet smell, no matter how angry we get one day, no matter the things we say that we don't mean.
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I'm profoundly changed. There's a bittersweet emotion that I feel from playing this role. . . . I want the world to be different because I was here. However lofty or crazy or delusional that may sound, I want people's lives to be better because I was here.
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The separation of talent and skill is one of the largest misconceptions in modern society. Talent is something you born with, but skill can only be attained through Hours and Hours of hard work perfecting your talent as a craft. Which is why Talent will fail you without skill.
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