Common Opens Up About Being Molested As A Kid: “I Felt A Deep and Sudden Shame For What Happened”

Back in 2011, Common released his New York Times bestselling memoir, “One Day It’ll All Make Sense, in which he detailed his journey growing up in the South Side of Chicago. But now, just eight years later, Common is back with a follow up to help others “understand what it means to receive and, most importantly, to give love.” 

According to Simon and Schuster, Common’s “Let Love Have The Last Word,” shares “unique and personal stories of the people and experiences that have led to a greater understanding of love and all it has to offer. It is a powerful call to action for a new generation of open ears and minds, one that is sure to resonate for years to come.” 

In the book, Common also opens up about being molested as a kid and how his recent role in “The Tale,” brought forth the traumatizing memories. “One day, while talking through the script with Laura [Dern], old memories surprisingly flashed my mind,” the rapper-turned-actor and author wrote. “I caught my breath and just kept looping the memories over and over, like rewinding an old VHS tape…I said ‘Laura, I think I was abused.” 

“I was excited for a road trip I was about to take with my family,” Common recalled of the incident, adding that he may have been 9 or 10 at the time. “My mother; my godmother, Barbara; her son and my god brother Skeet; and his relative, who I’ll call Brandon…” 

Upon arrival to his Aunt’s home in Cleveland, Common explained that he was instructed to share a bed with Brandon, and that’s when the abuse took place. 

“At some point, I felt Brandon’s hand on me,” Common wrote. “I pushed him away. I don’t remember saying a whole lot besides, ‘No, no, no.’ He kept saying, ‘It’s okay, it’s okay,’ as he pulled down my shorts and molested me. After he stopped, he kept asking me to perform it on him. I kept repeating ‘No’ and pushing him away. I felt a deep and sudden shame for what happened.” 

In an effort to suppress the memories, Common revealed that he “buried” the traumatic experience. “I just pushed the whole thing out of my head. Maybe it’s a matter of survival – even now, two years after the flash resurgence of memories, as I’m writing, I’m still working through all of this in myself and with my therapist.”

“I want to be a person who helps break cycles of violence,” Common added in his book, highlighting his attempts to help other victims of molestation. “This is a love in action, and I intend to practice it.”