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2012
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EmailTyler Perry finally revealed the details [25] behind his abuse-ridden childhood. Inspired by the forthcoming film Precious [26] (co-presented with Oprah and starring Mo'Nique, Mariah Carey and Gabourey Sidibe), Perry decided to get real with his fans and post the details of a lifetime of physical, sexual and emotional abuse.
At TylerPerry.com he writes [27]:
"I'm tired of holding this in. I don't know what to do with it anymore, so, I've decided to give some of it away... "
I don't know if there's something in the celebrity cosmos, but lately the Who's Who are stepping out and sharing their ugly pasts. I'm not complaining. Confession and truth is historically good for the soul and stress levels. It's just a tad bit transparent when the abuse news coincides with a film release or a memoir launch.
I appreciate Perry's candidness. I really do. It takes a lot of courage to confess to millions that one's life has been marred by ongoing abuse. It's particularly courageous for a black man to post a list of confessions about male-on-male sexual abuse, violent beatings by a parent, sadist sexual encounters with a friend's mother, or being bathed in ammonia by an adoptive grandmother. Revelations like Perry's are bound to spark more discussion (and hopefully not just ticket sales for Precious).
But I can't help to think there's something missing from Perry's online confession/Precious promo. He mentions forgiveness quite often, but neglects to mention the importance of counseling or therapy. He doesn't even mention the power of his own therapy. Forgiveness is certainly important for anyone who has endured what Perry claims he's endured, but I just hope Perry's fans realize there's much more to surviving abuse than forgiveness and testimony. Those things are a start, no doubt. A very crucial start. But there's also counseling and forums and groups and more counseling. Again, I appreciate and respect Tyler Perry's courage. It's just hard for someone like me to run with the truth when it's tagged to the release of a film. Then again, maybe this is the perfect union of art and life.
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