The current issue of Vogue Magazine has tongues wagging all over the country, especially from those who think the image of basketball player Lebron James with supermodel Gisele Bundchen is too reminiscent of the King Kong movies/photos of the past which showed a helpless White woman in the grasp of the brute gorilla King Kong.  An image which at one time was used to send a subconscious message that Black men were a threat to the innocence, purity and sanctity of White women.  

Some question whether a 23-year-old Black man would willingly be part of a picture like this if he truly had a “knowledge of self” and a real grasp of his Black history.  Others think Lebron James, only a basketball player, should not be expected to be a person concerned about addressing those types of issues and that critics of the Vogue cover are completely over reacting.  What do you think?

op-ed by Adeeba Folami

In late December, the R&B world was shook after Demario “Raz-B” and his older brother Ricardo “Ricky Romance” Thornton, claimed – in videos circulated over the internet – to have been sexually molested by an older cousin, Chris Stokes, the former manager of the teen group B2K. Raz-B, 22, was part of the group from 2001-2004. They said Stokes, who is married with four children, took advantage of Raz-B, (then 11 or 12 and reportedly living with Stokes’ family) and was probably guilty of abusing other boys whose music careers he managed.

Only days later, the script had been flipped with Raz-B issuing an apology (in another internet video) for the previous information that he said was “leaked” without his permission. His brother later took responsibility for the leak. Raz-B further said that the claims against Stokes were not true while his brother maintained the abuse claims were legit, however, in early January, Ricky Romance was spotted dining in Los Angeles with his brother and Stokes and afterward, is quoted as telling the press that the outing was an example of the family unity the three shared and was “for all you haters.”

Some speculate that the retraction of Raz-B was forced or paid for by Stokes – who always denied the charges – but any way about it, the day is a sad one for individuals who truly have been sexually abused by persons in positions of authority. There already is a tremendous difficulty factor involved in breaking one’s silence about abuse – not to mention many who do break it are sometimes not believed – so if it is true that Stokes is innocent and the two young brothers were never abused by him, what a great dis-service the Thorntons have done to true victims of molestation. What a shame if accusing someone of such a serious crime is seen as a game to be played by conscience-deficient people seeking ways to ignite stagnant careers.

Accusing a person of such an act is not a game because, regardless of the person’s innocence or guilt, there always will remain a question in the minds of others and the question currently on the minds of many concerning Stokes is, ‘Did he or didn’t he?’ If he did what he is accused of, Thornton went from breaking his silence – the only true way to begin healing from abuse – and returned to protecting, through his silence and denial, the one who violated him. This would indicate he is a young person in emotional conflict. On the other hand, if Stokes is guilty, he deserves every ounce of exposure, embarrassment and prosecution that should rightfully come his way.

Either way it goes, this whole scenario makes it harder for true victims because they are less likely to be believed in the future and sadly, the increased doubt with which many may now view claims of abuse – particularly relating to the entertainment world – only makes the road easier for real abusers who know how to capitalize on the atmosphere of confusion created by the “game” Raz-B and Ricky Romance admittedly played.

Unfortunately, the entire situation was handled terribly and the truth may never be known, but all is not lost. This can serve as a wake up call to parents who have children/teens in the entertainment world. Clearly fame, riches and singing sex related lyrics at young ages are not all they are cracked up to be. It may be time for these parents to stop sacrificing the mental well being of their children on Hollywood’s altar just for the sake of an ever-depreciating dollar and the chance to be seen with the world’s biggest “stars,” or to become one themselves.  The world of entertainment is no better – and may be worse – than the regular world and in either place, parents should be very particular and selective about into whose hands they place the care and management of their children.

© 2008 – All Rights Reserved – The Black House News
Unlimited online distribution allowed with acknowledgement of bhonline.org as the source

 - op ed by Adeeba Folami -

R&B singer Beyonce shook the entertainment world with her recent announcement that she will perform in a burqa during her concert appearance in the Muslim country of Malaysia which has strict codes of conduct and dress for entertainers. Bey is also known as Ms. “Bootylicious” because of how she can pop that “thang” with a thong on or can drop “it” like “it’s” hot in booty shorts or skimpy lingerie while performing.

The queen of all things ‘booty’ is now singing a new tune and has seemingly had a spiritual awakening thanks to the stank raised by Malaysian officials and citizens about her attire and seductive dance moves. The singer has gone so far as to say that when she returns to the U.S., she intends to begin studies with the Nation of Islam under Minister Louis Farrakhan and learn more about modest dress and civilized female behavior by attending that group’s women’s classes. She is also to expand her Dereon fashion line to include clothes for fly fashionistas who want to ‘work it’ without showing a lot of flesh and form.

Beyonce regrets that many young girls and women are emulating her previous style of dress, dance and pimping her body and sexuality just for dollars and fame but she is now out to change her image full scale.

For those who refuse to believe their beloved Beyonce has decided to tame the booty and lower the hem of her garments – never fear! The above report is strictly a work of FICTION and wishful thinking.  It is true, however, that Malaysian standards are very strict and require female performers to cover their skin from below the neck to their knees. Seductive dancing is forbidden as are cursing and references to drug usage. Other artists reportedly have complied with the requirements but Sister Beyonce just could not do it and for the rights of Booty, she canceled her scheduled Nov. 1 appearance in the country – out of protest.

Maybe someone should have a heart to heart with Ms. B in a “gurl please!” conversational tone ……. “B, you really need to stop! You had the opportunity to take a strong, bold stance as a Black woman – that’s what you are, right? You’re shaking, rattling and rolling your tootsie all over the globe as though that’s some queenly, civilized and respectable thing to do, and all because you’ve seemingly sold your soul to the devil for some dollar bills and recognition.  Girl, rebuke the devil and he will flee from you, bless Jesus. Holla!”

This reminds me of a poem in my collection written some years ago entitled “Video HOs.” It said to those Black women who make a living (or not) shaking their scantily clad bodies and booties in music videos:

“…..Feelin the rhymes, feelin the times

Is it possible to show what you can do with your mind?

Have a positive effect around the whole world

Something to share with young boys and girls

Who need role models, not models who roll

that tootsie, that booty slinging round a pole

…..Sisters we are, this I can’t deny

but why don’t you reveal the beauty of your mind

Not the size and shape of your Black behind…..”

Beyonce, you do have some beauty of mind to share with the world – we all do – yet it seems many women like you have no confidence or self esteem about themselves so they/you resort to reliance on the size and shape of their bosoms and butts to make up for whatever it is that is lacking in their spiritual, mental and emotional banks. Maybe a Sankofa experience is needed on a large scale – a trip back in time, to our ancient history where beautiful, Black queens were known for their wisdom, elegance and grace and not for shaking like a half-naked salt shaker and slinging their hair/weave around in an animalistic type performance on a stage for the world to see. What do you say, B? Have you ever taken a Sankofa trip back in time? SANKOFA: “We must go back and reclaim our past so we can move forward; so we understand why and how we came to be who we are today.”

2007 – All Rights Reserved – The Black House News
Unlimited online distribution allowed with acknowledgement of bhonline.org as the source

Delilah Still Doing Her Thing

- Adeeba Folami -

Many may assume that any Jodie Foster movie is a worthwhile view based on her past performances, but that would be an erroneous assumption to make in the case of her new film “Brave One.” Maybe I should have played closer attention to the previews and story line prior to spending money to see the overly hyped picture that I certainly do not encourage others to invest theater time on.

Foster plays Erica Bain, a radio host whose show focuses on the good and bad of New York street life. Unfortunately, her own life is touched by the negative side when she becomes victim to the streets she formerly felt safe on. While out walking her pet dog, she and her fiance encounter three hoodlums who brutally beat them and then steal the dog. Bain ends up hospitalized for many weeks in a coma and when she awakens is told that her fiance was killed in the attack.

After her physical healing and release from the hospital, she finds herself displeased over police progress with her case so she illegally purchases a gun and from there, turns into a vigilante who eventually finds and murders those who assaulted her but, prior to that, she manages to take justice into her own hands and kill five other people who either threatened her or someone else she happened upon. One of those was killed, not due to any danger he posed to her, but because Detective Mercer (Terrence Howard), the lead investigator in the vigilante killings, shared too much information with her during an interview.

Mercer was under the impression that the vigilante killer was a male and thus had no idea the radio personality had successfully duped him. Further, in some strange way, he ended up becoming soft-hearted for Bain and even though it did not develop into an on-screen Black male-White female sexual relationship, it was quite awkward how his character, in so short a time and despite the woman still being in grief over the loss of her partner, became so smitten with her. So much so that the movie ended with him – instead of arresting her for her crimes – giving his gun to her so she could shoot her attacker. The detective then let Bain shoot him so that he could lie and give the report that he ended up in a shootout with the bad guys. What love and sacrifice!

The movie producers added insult to injury by ending the film with Foster – after getting her murder and revenge on – walking off into the night with her trusty dog who she retrieved from the assailants she had just murdered. The whole story line was “wack,” “corny,” and aimed at garnering sympathy for a White female vigilante who was able to do the Delilah-act on an otherwise firm, upright and Black police detective. Never mind that the story dragged in many spots even with oddly-timed interjections of Bain’s flashbacks of having sex with her fiance. The producers were wrong if they thought Foster’s naked body somehow added zest, meaning and that extra “something” to the film. It didn’t. I left the theater even before the credits rolled thinking, “What complete BS, and a waste of time and money.” Never again Jodie Foster. Next time I won’t assume a movie must be “good” just because you’re in it.

© 2007 – All Rights Reserved – The Black House News
Unlimited online distribution allowed with acknowledgement of bhonline.org as the source