Tyler Perry: the Pursuit of Happiness and Freedom
Tyler Perry: The Pursuit of Happiness and Freedom
Lisa Jones
Kaplan University
Abstract
The pursuit of happiness and freedom is a given right of any American citizen, but there are some that stand out and continue to make the best life for themselves and those in need. By statistics, Tyler Perry’s life seemed bleak and one that would fall a victim to his environment. He grew up a poor kid in New Orleans, the middle child out of four (“Tyler Perry Biography,” 2008). He was born Emmitt Perry Jr, but the pain from his childhood caused him to change his name and distance himself from his father (“Tyler Perry Biography,” 2008). He had the loving guidance of his mother, Willie Maxine Perry to contrast the pain that his father, Emmitt, caused throughout his life. Perry’s father was allegedly an abusive person that believed “his only answer to everything was to beat it out of you” (“Tyler Perry Biography,” 2008). Tyler carried that around for the first twenty-eight years of his life, it wasn’t until he was watching Oprah that she provided him with the tools to change his life (Hughes, 2004). She spoke about writing in order to heal old wounds, and this gave Perry the outlet he need to confront the past and embark on a journey that he would never forget. Tyler started writing in a journal about his abuse that he had suffered. He created different character in order to conceal that the story was about his own suffering. It was then that he decided to turn his work into a screen play; I know I’ve been changed (Hughes, 2004). This courage gave him the strength to confront his own demons and forgive them. Tyler stated that “it wasn’t until he forgave everyone for the things that they had done in the past” that he began to find the path to happiness (Hughes, 2004). Perry’s obstacles didn’t end there, the play was a flop and many people wanted him to give up. He put his all into promoting his play that he became homeless when he couldn’t afford to pay his bills.
Lisa Jones
Kaplan University
Abstract
The pursuit of happiness and freedom is a given right of any American citizen, but there are some that stand out and continue to make the best life for themselves and those in need. By statistics, Tyler Perry’s life seemed bleak and one that would fall a victim to his environment. He grew up a poor kid in New Orleans, the middle child out of four (“Tyler Perry Biography,” 2008). He was born Emmitt Perry Jr, but the pain from his childhood caused him to change his name and distance himself from his father (“Tyler Perry Biography,” 2008). He had the loving guidance of his mother, Willie Maxine Perry to contrast the pain that his father, Emmitt, caused throughout his life. Perry’s father was allegedly an abusive person that believed “his only answer to everything was to beat it out of you” (“Tyler Perry Biography,” 2008). Tyler carried that around for the first twenty-eight years of his life, it wasn’t until he was watching Oprah that she provided him with the tools to change his life (Hughes, 2004). She spoke about writing in order to heal old wounds, and this gave Perry the outlet he need to confront the past and embark on a journey that he would never forget. Tyler started writing in a journal about his abuse that he had suffered. He created different character in order to conceal that the story was about his own suffering. It was then that he decided to turn his work into a screen play; I know I’ve been changed (Hughes, 2004). This courage gave him the strength to confront his own demons and forgive them. Tyler stated that “it wasn’t until he forgave everyone for the things that they had done in the past” that he began to find the path to happiness (Hughes, 2004). Perry’s obstacles didn’t end there, the play was a flop and many people wanted him to give up. He put his all into promoting his play that he became homeless when he couldn’t afford to pay his bills.
References: Hira, N. A. (2007, February 14). 1. Retrieved August 22, 2010, from CNN Money: http://www.money.cnn.com Hughes, Z. (2004, January). 3. Retrieved August 22, 2010, from Ebony: http://www.findarticles.com n.d. (2008, March). 2. Retrieved August 22, 2010, from biography: www.biography.com Perry, T. (2010, April). 1. Retrieved August 22, 2010, from Tyler Perry: www.tylerperry.com Saunders, T. (2009, February 19). 1. Retrieved August 22, 2010, from look to the stars: http://www.looktothestars.org