James Brown’s Daughters Open Up About Forgiving Him After Witnessing Domestic Abuse
In a candid interview with People, Deanna Brown Thomas and Yamma Brown, two of James Brown’s daughters, shared their journey of forgiveness after witnessing their father abuse their mother, Deidre Jenkins. The daughters, now adults, reflected on the impact that the domestic violence had on their lives and how they have found the strength to forgive their father.
Yamma, 52, expressed her initial anger and upset towards her father when she witnessed him hurting her mother. She admitted that even now, she occasionally finds herself revisiting those emotions and reflecting on how the domestic violence shaped her own life. Yamma, who also participated in a docuseries about her father’s life titled “James Brown: Say It Loud,” revealed that she was around 6 years old when she last saw her father abuse her mother and intervened.
Acknowledging the abuse as a part of her life, Yamma emphasized the importance of discussing it openly. She recognized that domestic violence is an unfortunate reality for many people and that going through such experiences shapes individuals in profound ways. Yamma also highlighted the humanity of her father, acknowledging his flaws while also emphasizing the need for grace in such situations.
Deanna, on the other hand, shared her personal dislike for James while growing up due to his behavior towards her mother. She revealed that witnessing the abuse and hearing about it could have potentially damaged her for a lifetime. However, Deanna clarified that her father never directed any rage towards his children, as he understood that the abuse was a situation between him and his wife. She emphasized that there are different types of love and circumstances within a family.
James Brown, known as the Godfather of Soul, was married four times and had nine children. His marriage to Deidre Jenkins lasted from 1970 to 1981. Although their relationship ended in divorce, Jenkins mostly stayed out of the limelight following their split. James went on to marry his third wife, Adrienne Rodriguez, in 1984, during which he faced multiple arrests for domestic abuse.
James Brown passed away in 2006 at the age of 73 due to congestive heart failure caused by pneumonia. His legacy as a music icon remains, and his daughters have found the strength to forgive him for his past actions. The docuseries “James Brown: Say It Loud” provides a platform for Yamma and others to share their experiences and shed light on the complex dynamics of domestic violence.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.
