Now I must concede that I have no idea what Willow Smith is saying in the verses of 'Whip My Hair.' Between all of the mixing, Auto-Tune and banging beats, she could be singing about worshiping the devil and sacrificing kittens for all I know. But in a world where Nicki Manaj is a grown woman attempting to imitate a child's toy, Willow Smith is just a child imitating her incredibly successful parents. Who's the one who needs the greatest intervention?
Where was the National Association for the Prevention of Too Grown Black Girls (NAPTGBG) when black women in Milwaukee were blaming an 11-year-old girl who was gang raped by up to 20 men and boys for "know[ing] what she was doing"? When grown women were tripping over the body of a 14-year-old alleged victim to worship at the alter of 40-something R. Kelly's crusty feet, where were all these concerned black folks wanting to maintain the innocence of black girls' childhoods? We can have a rather lengthy discussion about black girls being turned into sex objects and exploited and abused at a young age. I'd be happy to lead that discussion, which I lead with a passion at my blog 'What About Our Daughters?' But what is happening with Willow Smith is a completely separate matter. Is it concern or is it envy of her career that is driving all of this weeping over Willow?
Willow Smith is not too grown, she's too great.
While her wardrobe selections are not your standard OshKosh B'gosh fare, she doesn't appear to be dressed in a sexually suggestive manner. She's unapologetically happy. Willow Smith isn't walking around with the weight of the world on her shoulders and it shows. In a sense, some of y'all think she's too grown because she's too free and that's too sad.
When I was Willow's age, my greatest desire was to be able to mow the lawn. Actually my biggest desire was to get to push the lawn mower. I hadn't quite figured out that just because something was forbidden didn't make it some kind of privilege.Yes, back in the days when children were free to ride in cars unrestrained by seat belts and swung from playground equipment painted in lead-based paint, I finally was allowed to push a piece of machinery with spinning, razor-sharp blades. Other than a few fragments of debris landing in my eyes and run-ins with fire ant beds, I suffered no major injuries and managed to survive child hood with both of my feet.
If I survived the razor sharp blades of a lawn mower, Willow Smith can survive the razor sharp tongues of her critics.
So while I share the concern that Jay-Z and Roc Nation will turn this poor child into a prop or a character a la Miss Minaj, I don't begrudge her an opportunity to try something that she loves just because she might be wildly successful.
Related:
+Then and Now: Former Child Star Kim Fields Stays Working
+A Black Woman's Opinion on Morehouse's 'Mean Girls' Cop-Out
And there's the rub -- we wouldn't be having this conversation if Willow Smith was going to be a flop. She appears to have managed to escape the career curse of so many famous offspring by putting together something that might be a hit. So for now, I'm not weeping over Willow. Sure, she could end up like Montana Fishburne, but she could also end up like Raven-Symoné. Either outcome could occur even if her parents kept her cosseted away in the shadows -- so why not err on the side of letting this little black girl be great in her career and in her life?
P.S. I predict an epidemic of neck injuries cause by folks attempting to "whip" their hair. Safety first!
Gina McCauley is the CEO of the Blogging While Brown Conferenceand the blogsMichelle Obama Watch and What About Our Daughters. She is currently completing her first book, 'Michelle Obama Watch.'


Comments: (115)
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By: Mission on 10/22/2010 5:48PM
I'm very happy for WILLOW how is that if you're young and white nobody ever ask those question about being to young? WILLOW should be able to achieve the same greatest that any other actress achieved. WHY THE HELL NOT
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By: ARNEADER on 10/23/2010 10:25AM
It would have been nice if Will and Jade would have raised her like Sasha and Malia were being raised. Call me old fashion but little girls are made up sugar and spice and everything nice.
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By: Sally on 10/22/2010 9:54PM
She's a cutey. And good luck to her. She seems to know what she wants to do and she has talent, unlike some of the wannabes out there.
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By: Deanna Jameson on 10/23/2010 11:32AM
The reason why we don't say a word about white kids is because we simply don't care what they do. But when it comes to our own kids, we have a vested interest. No one wants to see a cute little black girl turn into a Lindsey, Paris, or Miley Cyrus. Just because white kids do it, doesn't mean it's right.
Unlike most child stars who were BROKE and where seeking fame and fortune to pay their bills, Will and Jada have enough money to allow Willow to "live her dreams" AFTER she has had a chance to grow mentally and emotionally. It doesn't matter that Will and Jada have been in the game and can manage her career. They have NO control or idea how exposing her to all of this so soon will effect her later in life. Saying all of that, I think the song and video are hot and she will be a megastar, but at what cost?
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By: whats up? on 10/23/2010 2:22PM
ummm... have you been hiding under a rock??? people are posing the same questions about white kids in the idustry as well; black people always do this when a question or the finger is pointed at them "what about white people, what they doin', lets bring the white man in it,look at him too" its crazy lol just let it go stop trying to bring the race card up all the time damn its played out
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By: Trust No One on 10/23/2010 3:54PM
You just had to make it black and white. Hater!
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By: Mimi on 10/23/2010 3:22PM
THE VIDEO IS CUTE.
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By: llinda on 10/23/2010 8:20PM
I did't know Willow Smith was a actress is she as bad as a actress as she is bad in singing?[lol]
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By: jazzie on 10/22/2010 5:59PM
I thinkthe video is cute. The girl is dressed her age, she's not talking about boys or shakeing her butt. So what's the problem? Mr. and Mrs. Smith as long as you keep her grounded, guide her and educated her, I say let her experience her dreams so she can make a choice and grow to her full potential.
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By: Sidd on 10/23/2010 10:50AM
She is 9. Look at every actor or singer who started out as a young age and how many of them had drug problems or behavior problems, more than 90%. She is 9 not even in middle school and has lost her childhood and that very sad to see I don't see what was wrong with waiting another couple of years at least until she was in high school. I just don't agree. Imagine your 9 year old out there?
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