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Tyler Perry Opens up About the World He Wants for His Son Aman Amid Racial Injustice Protests

Bettina Dizon
Jun 20, 2020
03:00 A.M.

Tyler Perry recently penned an essay about racial discrimination and the world he hopes his son sees: "I'm exhausted from all the hate and the division."

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The world has seen unrest the past few weeks as racial discrimination continues to happen in America, recently taking away the life of George Floyd, while at the hands of a white cop.

Amid the protests both virtually and on the streets, Tyler Perry spoke from the heard about the world he hopes to have for his son -- a world without discrimination.

Tyler Perry visits LinkedIn Studios on January 13, 2020 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

Tyler Perry visits LinkedIn Studios on January 13, 2020 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

PEOPLE ASKS PERRY TO WRITE AN ESSAY

Initially, the actor was hesitant to write the essay for PEOPLE, not because he didn't deem it significant, but because he was "exhausted."

"I'm exhausted from all the hate and the division," he said. "I'm exhausted from seeing these kinds of senseless murders play out over and over again with no changes in our society."

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However, the 50-year-old ended up pouring his heart into words and in what came out to be a powerful message for the world and for his five-year-old son, Aman.

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Perry spoke about Floyd's murder and the pain he felt, not just for the victim's family but for all black people who could have been in the same situation.

Although the two are not married, they are very much in love and have been together since 2009.

Tyler Perry visits LinkedIn Studios on January 13, 2020 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

Tyler Perry visits LinkedIn Studios on January 13, 2020 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

THE HOPEFUL AND POWERFUL ESSAY

Perry's recorded essay spans for eight minutes and 46 seconds -- the exact amount of time the now-former police officer, Derek Chauvin, knelt on Floyd's neck, slowly killing him without mercy.

"I dried my eyes and put pen to paper for not only myself, not only for hope but for morning to come for the millions of us who just wanted to be treated fairly," he added. "For those of us who want justice for all, and for my five-year-old son."

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Tyler Perry attends Tyler Perry Studios grand opening gala at Tyler Perry Studios on October 05, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. | Source: Getty Images

Tyler Perry attends Tyler Perry Studios grand opening gala at Tyler Perry Studios on October 05, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. | Source: Getty Images

Soon, Perry will have to talk to Aman about the sad reality that black people have to face every day -- a truth which every colored parent fears for their child.

The actor noted the painful conversation that will explain why they, as part of the minority, have to keep fighting for their right to equality and why they should never quit. He said:

"I will tell him that progress is made in small steps and even if you get exhausted to fight on because there are always signs of daybreak before the morning comes."

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A HAPPY FAMILY

Perry lives a private life with Aman and his mother, Gelila Bekele. The actor's reason behind protecting his son from the public is so the toddler can grow up with his own identity, before being influenced by others.

Bekele, like Perry, is a humanitarian, activist, and filmmaker. She hailed from Ethiopia and worked as a model.

Tyler Perry and model Gelila Bekele attend the 2nd annual Steve Harvey Foundation gala at Cipriani Wall Street on April 4, 2011 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

Tyler Perry and model Gelila Bekele attend the 2nd annual Steve Harvey Foundation gala at Cipriani Wall Street on April 4, 2011 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

Although the two are not married, they are very much in love and have been together since 2009. Currently, the couple and their son are bonding as they quarantine at home.

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