Celebrated for both for his talent on-screen and his genuine down-to-earth spirit off-screen, Will Smith continuously draws us in with his kindness, openness, and great sense of humor.
The Prince is known for sharing inspiring messages and personal life lessons with his 21.8 million followers on Instagram, often making videos that feel more like 1-on-1 sessions with a friend.
RELATED: 20 Will Smith Quotes That Will Inspire You
Smith’s latest post shares a powerful lesson that he learned by watching his father handle a situation that is every parents worst nightmare.
The video begins with a shocking revelation, “It’s a long story, I’m not going to go through the whole story, but a gangster was coming to my house to kill me.”
Smith explains how the man parked in front of his house, and placed a gun on the dashboard. It was then, that Will Smith’s father walked out of his house and walked up to the car.
At this point, Smith recalls he was peeping through the mail slot, and heard his father speak the man that came to murder his son. “Can I help you?” were the first words his father said to the man.
“Tell that motherf*cker to come out here,” the man responded.
Smith acts out his father’s response, spoken both calmly and firmly, “Well, if the motherf*cker you talking about is Will, he’s in the house. But if you kill Will, you’re going to have to kill us all, we ain’t accepting no f*cking threats from you.”
Smith then described his father turning his back to the man in the car, and walking back into the house. To Will Smith’s surprise, the man drives off. “That was some real ghetto mind trick,” he joked.
This incredible moment provided a profound life lesson for Smith; a principle which was chiseled by his father’s brave and bold actions:
“What penetrated me in the moment is there’s nothing worse than walking around scared. My father knew the dude might shoot him in the back, but we are not going to be scared. It was powerful lesson about the complete rejection of fear.”
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.