justathought

I don’t often like to admit to my vices, but I had to talk about this one for a quick minute.  I am a fan of the “I Want to Work for Diddy” show.  When watching last night’s episode, I felt like it went by too quickly.  The contestants were supposed to throw a “Diddy” style party.   One team was successful while the other just flopped.  In the end the UpTown Team was called to the carpet and the two heads on the chopping block were Red and Stephanie.  When the final decision was Red, Capricorn had a hissy fit.  I found myself wondering “what the heck for?”  Did I miss something?  Was Red some untapped talent that somehow went under my radar?  I do not recall anything that made him great in the episodes, so the only conclusion is that Capricorn has an agenda against Stephanie.

How can she be an impartial judge moving forward?  Maybe it’s just me.  If you watch this show and you feel that Red did something great, please point it out to me because from where I sit. . . .I think the right person went home.

I woke up this morning with no idea that we lost another one today.  Another black success story has been laid to rest.  Bernie Mac had been in the hospital since August 3, 2008 and I never even knew it.  As I think about this it is hitting me kind of hard.  I mean, it is not like I knew him, but still he was one of ours and he made me laugh.

The things I love most in a black man is someone who takes care of his responsibilities and someone that can make me laugh.  Bernie Mac did both of those things as revealed by his Fox comedy, The Bernie Mac Show.  In this sitcom, he offered America a glimpse into his real life by showing what he went through, learning to be a parent to his sister’s children.  She was unable to parent them because she was unfit.

There’s a rapper that I listen to lately named Sha-stimuli and in one of his rhymes he says:  “And you think it’s a cowinkiedink that every year we losing a singer, they don’t think we think.”  The rhyme touches on the idea that as black people we are so out of touch with being active, getting involved, and just plan standing up to the injustices in this world . . .not thinking about anything. . . .therefore “they” can get over on us with anything.  That particular lyric just speaks on how coincidental it is that all of our success stories seem to be fading away, getting picked off one by one.

It’s not to say there is some big conspiracy causing it to happen. . . .but our lack of focus  on our issues, our health, our freedoms, and our rights make us easy victims.  Bernie Mac died of complications from pneumonia.  We will never hear a new joke utter from his lips.  His family and fans will grieve, but will anyone walk away with the lesson that his death leaves behind? 

Life is short.  Make the most of it.  Be the best you can be.  Never give up.  Don’t let anyone stand in the way of your dreams.  Take care of your health.  No one is promised tomorrow so make today matter.

There is no doubt that R. Kelly is shouting these song lyrics today “You saved me/Gave me a second chance/You saved me” as he walks out of the courtroom exonerated of all charges against him.  The phenomenal songwriter faced up to 15 years in prison if he were to have been convicted of the numerous charges mounted against him.  I admit that I have always been a fan of his work.  I bought nearly every album, sung along to the lyrics in the car, and attended a concert or two when he came to my town.  When the allegations surfaced nearly six years ago, many people were conflicted about whether or not to support or turn away from one of music’s reining idols at that time. After all, many thought the idea of such a sexy and sexual man indulging in his carnal pleasure by defiling a child was absurd.  It was easier to believe such things about Michael Jackson because of his eccentricities and the alleged victims were boys.  

                 I’ll admit that I reserve judgment on R. Kelly’s guilt or innocence because I never watched the tape.  The idea of watching the possible rape and degradation of a child did not appeal to my voyeuristic appetites, unlike so many of the people I know.In reflecting on his acquittal today, I think about the pros and cons of where this man finds himself now.  If he was never guilty of the crimes (as the jury has determined), then he will forever walk around with the cloud of being a child molester.  Is his musical career over?  While I was a huge fan during my teens and  early to mid-twenties, I have found his more recent lyrical content contains far more misses than hits.  I wonder how many other people in my age bracket (the simply sensational 30 plus crowd) feel the same way.  If he is guilty, then he has been released into society so that he can continue to seduce young girls that are enthralled by his star power and his hypersexual lyrical content.  After all, what young person with raging hormones can’t relate to such lyrics as:  

“These hands have been longing to touch you baby/And now that you’ve come around, to seein’ it my way/You won’t regret it baby, and you surely won’t forget it baby”

“I don’t see nothing wrong (Ooh)/With a little bump ‘n grind (With a little bump ‘n grind)/I don’t see nothing wrong (Hey baby)”

“from beyond this bed of mine i see/ceiling fans with you on top of me/and the window blinds are filled with rays of sun/and all you secret fantasies thy will be done”

While I feel this way on one hand, I also can’t deny that song lyrics like these made me fall in love with this singer/songwriter’s creativity.  Not to mention the following:

“Now I Admit Sometimes I Make Mistakes/But Still I Appreciate The Love We Make/Stop At The Door And Put Your Bags Back Down/Now Baby Please Can We Work This Out”

“Now in the midst of my battle/All hope was gone/Downtown in a rushed crowd/And felt all alone/And every now and then/I felt like I would lose my mind/I’ve been racin’ for years/And still no finish line”

“I believe I can fly/I believe I can touch the sky/I think about it every night and day/Spread my wings and fly away/I believe I can soar/I see me running through that open door/I believe I can fly 

While the jury that decided R. Kelly’s fate is no longer out, I find that I have yet to reach a decision on whether or not I will continue to be a fan of R. Kelly . . .