| As a part of the ongoing campaign to bring | | | | offers inspiration for one to be able to love one's |
| awareness to the nation about its Domestic Violence | | | | self, as well as accept love from someone else. The |
| and Abuse epidemic, recording artist, E. Walter Smith | | | | chorus echoes, "Let me heal your bitterness with a |
| will sing the song he penned titled, Tenderness, at | | | | little tenderness..." embracing the victim's emotional |
| numerous powerful and important events around the | | | | challenges with acts of kindness and a commitment |
| United States. | | | | to be there through the healing process of closing |
| Smith says his song is about "accepting love after | | | | the gaping wounds of a painful past. "I truly realize |
| abuse." "I recently dated someone who had a history | | | | that it takes more than a hug and some flowers to |
| of being abused. The main challenges of our | | | | make a difference. I just hope that this song can |
| relationship stemmed from her inabilities to love | | | | help those that have suffered from abusive |
| herself and to trust me. We realized that she needed | | | | relationships begin to accept God's love, the love |
| more time to heal and that ultimately, we would both | | | | from others and from themselves." says Smith. |
| be better served as each other's friend. I had never | | | | A portion of the proceeds from sales of the music |
| been in a relationship with someone that had been | | | | and merchandise will go to select organizations that |
| abused, so it was a learning experience for me. As a | | | | offer programs to help victims of domestic violence |
| result, I have a whole new understanding of the | | | | and abuse heal emotionally, receive God's love, and |
| long-term impact that abuse can have on someone. | | | | find the strength and love from within to build a new |
| As importantly, I realized that in a real sense we are | | | | life. |
| all victims of abuse. " | | | | Throughout the year Smith will be one of the |
| What makes Tenderness so special is that it tells the | | | | featured artists performing in The Tenderness Tour - |
| story of abuse from a man's point of view. Often | | | | Artists Against Domestic Violence and Abuse. The |
| times we only hear about abuse from a woman's | | | | tour will feature an eclectic array of stars coming |
| perspective. E. Walter Smith gives insight to the | | | | together to raise public awareness of domestic |
| experience of abuse and domestic violence, and | | | | violence and abuse in all of our communities. |