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| Willow Smith. Photo: 21st Century Girl video screen shot. |
For weeks, I have been biting my tongue on this issue and examining my perspective under a microscope. Ultimately, I have come to the conclusion that my concerns may be valid.
Willow Smith is a 10-year-old girl, but there is an unmistakable stench of inappropriateness to her persona, and I am not the only one who smells it.
Although I could spend hours critiquing Willow's Cyndi Lauper meets Michael Jackson meets a Los Angeles bag lady style of dress, the little girl's "unique" sense of fashion isn't what's bothering me. In fact, I think her "look" is kind of cute.
But, personality-wise, Willow and her 12-year-old brother Jaden, remind me of those intractable brats you see in the grocery store, sassing their parents and acting like they’re 10 and 12-years-old, going on 20 and 30.
Call me old fashioned, but nothing boils my goose like a kid with a broken attitude and parents that are too weak to make the necessary repairs.
When Willow referred to Oprah as, “girl”, during a recent Oprah Show interview, I perceived Willow’s bold familiarity with Oprah, a woman who could be a grandmother, as a clear lack of respect for her elders. And if Willow is that familiar with Oprah, what is the 10-year-old like at home?
The other thing that’s stuck in my craw are the lyrics this little girl is being allowed to sing, and the disturbing comparisons people are making between the tiny star and Rihanna.
In 21st Century Girl, Willow sings about embracing danger, refers to herself as a chick, and declares her love for rocking the beat:
"Give me an inch
I promise I'll take a mile
Danger is beauty
I'll face it with a smile
I'm on a mission
With no restrictions
Don't second guess myself
I'm born to be wild
I'm the type of chick
That likes to rock the beat
I like to rock the beat
I like to rock, to rock the beat"
Danger is beauty? Exactly what kind of danger is appealing to a 10-year-old child? Why is Willow using the word chick, a slang often used to describe young boys and girls who are potential targets of sexual abuse, to describe herself? Finally, who wrote those lyrics and what messages are they sending young children?
Although subtle, I find the subliminal messages in 21st Century Girl, quite disturbing. It seems American culture has made the sexualization of children in songs and movies, an acceptable norm, that I still find completely unacceptable.
Will and Jada, if your 10-year-old daughter is being compared to a grown woman who grabs her private parts on stage - something, somewhere, is amiss.
6 comments:
Have to agree with you here, Timothy. 2 thumbs up for calling it like it is. That's the problem with kids today, the PARENTS LET them act older than they are. Let her be a kid for pete sake. She'll be an adult for a lot longer. I'm really disappointed in Will and Jada Smith. I thought they would be different..guess not.
Towanda, I struggled with writing this article. EVERYONE I spoke to about Willow, said I WAS OVERREACTING. But I trust my judgment. I may not have any children of my own, but I know right from wrong.
Disrespectful children grow into disrespectful adults. Some people may think Will and Jada's kids' sassy attitudes are cute, but I don't. I think it's a reflection of questionable parenting skills.
I didn't like the 'Girl" response either...going to far!
My Lovely One, as a child, if I had spoken to an adult like that, my mother would have let me have it.
I can see where you coming from because I do wonder how Will and Jada are raising their kids especially regarding the alleged Scientology association,lol have you even seen any interviews with Willow besides the Oprah one (I haven't seen Oprah yet but I will since you mentioned it). If not you watch the one with Ryan Seacrest and Jay Z heres a link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOVKB8auDcA&feature=player_embedded
It's very interesting because she has child-like innocent and humble she's young but very intelligent and mature for her age. It's just interesting
She seemed very humble and
glamfreshgirly, thank you for sharing that video. It offered me a little more insight into this situation.
As someone who has been trained to read people's expressions, tones, and body language - this video left me very concerned.
Number one, I think Will and Jada are putting their children's careers ahead of their education, and their innate need to be children.
Willow didn't seem to know how to cover up the fact that she is never in school and spends little to no time with a tutor. While addressing her schooling, there was a look in Willow's eyes that suggest even she knows there is something not quite right, with her working all the time.
I also get the feeling that Willow is always "on". I also think Willow has been taught to tell people what they want to hear. Personally, I don't think it's healthy for children to live in a perpetual fantasy of a pseudo-adult life.
Like Towanda said, have we learned anything from what happened to Micheal Jackson?
What's wrong with letting Willow get a proper education, letting her learn to socialize with other children in a school setting, and allowing her to live a normal child's life?
Why are Will and Jada working their children like adults? Are they that hard up for cash and fame?
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