Deanna Brown Thomas and Yamma Brown, the daughters of music legend James Brown, have opened up about their complex relationship with their father in a recent interview. Both women shared their experiences growing up with a father who was known for his musical prowess but also had a dark side.
Yamma, now 52 years old, revealed that she witnessed her father abusing their mother, Deidre Jenkins, when she was just a child. She admitted to feeling anger towards her dad at that time, as no child wants to see their family member being hurt. Yamma explained, “I still go back to that place every now and then, not to belittle my dad, but flashing back over my own life and the domestic violence situation in my life, thinking how much of that shaped me.”
Deanna, who is now 55 years old, shared a similar sentiment. She confessed that she didn’t like her father while growing up due to his behavior towards her mother. However, Deanna emphasized that her father’s anger was directed towards their mom and didn’t extend to their relationship with him. She said, “He never had any type of rage towards us because we were his children. That was a situation between a husband and a wife. There’s a different type of love, a different type of circumstances.”
Both daughters acknowledged that forgiving their father was a process, and it was important to acknowledge the abuse in order to move forward. Yamma expressed that going through such a difficult time helped her understand that her father was flawed but also human. She said, “If they’ve ever had to go through domestic violence, they know what that’s like. And it shows that he was human because he was flawed, but it also is a time to show grace.”
Deanna also touched on the importance of forgiveness, stating that it allowed her to heal and let go of the negative emotions she had towards her dad. While their relationship with their father was complicated, it’s evident that both daughters have found a way to reconcile their feelings and forgive him for his past actions.
James Brown’s daughters’ narratives shed light on the complexity of family dynamics and the capacity for forgiveness. Their personal experiences and ultimate forgiveness serve as an inspiration for others dealing with similar situations. It shows that healing is possible, even in the face of deeply rooted pain.
