I keep thinking about this clip from the 2015 film Concussion. In this film, Will Smith’s character, Dr. Bennet Omalu is debating going public with the fact that football players were at risk of acquiring horrifically profound brain damage due to the amount of hard hits that players take. During this particular part of the film, they are talking about the ramifications of speaking out, of the possibility of completely demolishing American football. This moment in the film is beautiful as Dr.Omalu looks at the hesitant other gentlemen surrounding him, and pointedly turns to one of them and passionately tells him to “Tell the truth! Tell the truth!”
This scene, this picture of Will Smith sternly telling these gentlemen to “Tell the truth," has become seared on my brain recently. A few days ago, I was sitting in a giant room, surrounded by people on almost every side, and all I could see was Will Smith gritting his teeth, angrily tell his audience to not hide anymore. You see, truth is a funny thing. It sometimes exposes the ugly while it has the potential to bring out the most tender bits of ones heart.
When we do not speak the truth or even act authentically, we don a disguise. The mask is often simple, a quick painting on of the stifled smile. It means no stepping on toes and no vulnerability. The facade that we hid truth behind is heavy; it is burdensome because it cracks and is highly unstable. The costume is anxiety producing and incredibly destructive.
Sometimes the truth is messy, it sometimes is the admission of fault. If left alone, it begins to fester and become highly contagious. Once the truth is told to not show its face, it has the capacity to grow larger and more destructive. I have seen this occur in my own life and those around me when truth has been suppressed. Reality has an unfortunate way of coming to life and when it comes out it has the power to cause horrific damage.
The longer I live, the older I become, the more I realize that I do not want to live my life behind a facade. For example, I do not want to pretend that I not the owner of a heart filled with fire and love or that I am not quirky. I do not wish to hide in secrecy, having to watch my words or actions for fear of being discovered. I want to exist with enough bravery to not hide truth, but rather to be authentic and not don a mask.
I do not want to live my life thinking of the “What would’ve been had I said something?” I want to tell that boy that I think they are cute. I want to speak out with love, yet never compromise the truth with a sugar coated glaze. I do not want to leave out the crucial pieces in order to show myself as better. When it is demanded, the truth begs to see the light of day.
In closing, I leave you with those powerful words spoken by Dr. Omalu….
“Tell the truth! Tell the truth!”
