Entertainment
Will Smith says he has never met a smart racist: ‘Ignorance is more prevalent than blatant evil’
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Will Smith has revealed his experiences with racism, growing up as a black person in America, admitting he’s never met a smart racist.
The actor, 52, revealed that he had been called the n-word to his face ‘probably five or six times’ but never by a ‘smart person’.
He revealed on the Pod Save America podcast: ‘I grew up with the impression that racists and racism were stupid, and they were easy to get around. I just had to be smarter.
‘Now while they were very dangerous, I had never looked into the eyes of a racist and saw anything that I perceived as intellect.’
The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air star admitted that he began to encounter systemic racism after beginning his career in acting, but says most racists are ignorant rather than evil, and can be educated.
Will explained: ‘Ignorance can be educated. Evil is a much more difficult problem.
‘Fortunately, ignorance is more prevalent than blatant evil, so I’ve always been encouraged that the process of education and understanding could alleviate some of the more dangerous and difficult aspects of racism that have unfortunately been embedded in the very fibres of our country.’
His appearance on the podcast was to discuss his Netflix series Amend: The Fight For America.
The six-part series will look at the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution, which outlines the rights of citizens under ‘the equal protection of the law’.
The show, hosted by Will, will address its impacts on black people, abortion, women’s suffrage and gay marriage alongside experts and activists.
Will also admitted he has considered a political career and may even run for office ‘at some point’ in order to effect positive change.
Amend: The Fight For America is available to stream on Netflix now.
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