The childhood sexual assault that Common forgot about for decades: “A deep and sudden shame”
When Common agreed to appear in the 2018 film The Tale, he understood that he would be involved in a project dealing with a delicate subject. But what he didn’t expect was what it would reveal about his own past.
The Tale is based on the true story of its writer and director Jennifer Fox’s experience of childhood sexual abuse and the impact it had upon her in later life. Laura Dern starred in it, with the cast also including Ellen Burstyn, Jason Ritter, Elizabeth Debicki and Common.
Common’s involvement in the project was announced in May 2015, with filming beginning months later in October. But as he studied the film’s script in preparation for his part, Common began to realise something. Deeply buried memories of his childhood reemerged.
Writing in his memoir, Let Love Have the Last Word, Common explained that, one day, he was discussing the script with Dern, when “old memories surprisingly flashed” into his head.
“I caught my breath and just kept looping the memories over and over, like rewinding an old VHS tape,” Com recalled. “I said ‘Laura, I think I was abused.’”
Common elaborate on the nature of the childhood abuse he was subjected to, explaining that it had been done by the relative of a family friend. As a nine- or ten-year-old, Com had been staying at an aunt’s house, where this person was also staying. Because the house was cramped, Com had to share a bed with them.
This person, whom the rapper named as “Brandon” in his account, molested the young Common.
“I kept repeating ‘no’ and pushing him away,” Common wrote in his book. “I felt a deep and sudden shame for what happened.”
Exhibiting a remarkable ability to live without regret, Common wrote in his memoir that he had come to forgive the person he accused of such awful wrongdoing. Explaining his reasons, he said, “I want to be a person who helps break cycles of violence.”