In his new book titled Let Love Have the Last Word, award-winning rapper and actor Lonnie Corant Lynn, commonly known as Common opens up about very sensitive topics such as love, therapy and a sexual abuse experience he has kept under the wraps for several years.
The 47-year-old Grammy and Oscar-winning entertainer uses his story and experience to challenge toxic masculinity that makes it hard for men to speak of pain and fear due to societal expectations. In the book released in May, Common narrates his sexual abuse experience that happened at age 9 or 10 during a family trip to Cleveland when he had to share a bed with his godbrother’s relative, whom he refers to as “Brandon.” This left him feeling a deep sense of shame and fear throughout his life. A few hours after the release of his book, Common took to Twitter to explain why he decided to speak out about the incident which he had somehow managed to block out of his memory until a few years ago. The rapper has been widely applauded for his new book and being open about an incident many men have experienced but have kept under wraps for so many. He has gotten many more men speaking out on social media. The rapper, actor and now the writer has been doing several media rounds talking about his memoir which has been widely accepted as it is selling in huge numbers since its release.
COMMON ✔@common
I talked about being molested because, as a Black man, many men have hidden that. Many people have hidden that. And you carry that weight with you. But at some point, you’ve got to let it go.
Entertainment Weekly ✔@EW
Exclusive: Common on why he reveals his childhood trauma in new memoir http://share.ew.com/8E8ole3
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COMMON ✔@common
I talked about being molested because, as a Black man, many men have hidden that. Many people have hidden that. And you carry that weight with you. But at some point, you’ve got to let it go.
Entertainment Weekly ✔@EW
Exclusive: Common on why he reveals his childhood trauma in new memoir http://share.ew.com/8E8ole3
COMMON ✔@common
I hope being open about my childhood trauma can give others the strength to do the same and help them on their healing journeys. We all have experienced pain and suffering. It’s nothing to be ashamed of.
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Ronald Dennis-Watson@RonaldDennisWa1 Replying to @common @yashar
Me 2! Your trust is taken away! Once when I was 12 at Saturday cartoon festival matinee in the bathroom, an adult white man. 2nd time two of my neighborhood friends (?), set me up, lured me over, slapped me and forced me to perform oral sex on them. Shit lasts a lifetime I'm 75!
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Richard M Ortega@Richieocho8 Replying to @common
Thanks for sharing I was molested by my uncle. I finally confronted him after many years.. God Bless You... Thanks for sharing!!
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Josh Furler@buzzf82 Replying to @common
I feel your pain man. I was molested for 8 years as a young boy and all through my teens. There is so much shame, guilt, and denile associated with it. But it helps to know we are not alone.
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Service is the Rent We Pay For Living - M. Edelman@BenSilva80 Replying to @common @davitydave
Thank you for sharing your trauma. I was raped when I was a child too, and it was decades before I could deal with it emotionally let alone talk openly about it.
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Steven Jackson@steveej202Replying to @common
I went thru the same thing growing up and I think about it to this day. You got to be strong just to not lose your mind.
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レニー@lbenologa
Replying to @common
Thank you for sharing your personal experience about your childhood trauma. I finally had the courage to do the same a few years ago and it was liberating.
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Morris Lewis @Datawrangler32 Replying to @common
All 4 of my adopted kids had abusive home lives growing up. They experienced the gamut of evil which can be done to a child. As their dad, my main job is to show them what unconditional love looks like. They won't forget, but now they look forward with hope and strength.#LoveHeals
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