C.B. Say it Ain't So!

The music entertainment industry has taken a major hit as news of Chris Brown’s recent run in with the authorities begin to spread like a wildfire. For many fans, it is an unfortunate sight to witness as the 19 year old pop star’s name is dragged through the mud. Next to Jay-Z and Beyonce, Rihanna and Chris Brown are undeniably one of the most referenced couples in Hollywood. I don’t know about anyone else, but currently, Ike and Tina Turner are the only names that are coming to mind. Reports allege that an unidentified woman, suffering from apparent facial bruises, identified Brown as the perpetrator. Coincidentally, both stars backed out of performing at the Grammy’s last night. So, the rumors are stirring. However, the identity of the victim has yet to be released to the public. In fact, the authorities are remaining tightlipped about the entire fiasco. And, until all of the facts have been verified, this might be the most appropriate course of action. Chris Brown stepped onto the scene as the “too cool for school” teen star who just would not stop dancing. In a relatively short period, he received recognition for being one of the best. I wonder how this event will affect his career. But, for now it’s probably best that people sit back and wait to see what is going to happen. Technically, we do not know the entire story and nothing, yet, has been confirmed. Despite this much, this is still a really bad situation.

Give Me A Break!

I want to play the Devil’s Advocate for a moment. Honestly, is the Michael Phelp’s case truly that important to be making a public spectacle of it? Apparently, he was photographed smoking from (not a bong; such a derogatory term) a water-pipe and now the world has forgotten how to function. They just can’t get enough! “It was the pipe smoked around the world” How corny? Okay, I am not in any way condoning what he has done, but I would seriously like to know. If he were captured drinking a beer or taking a shot of Jose Cuervo would the media and law enforcement be “running a muck” right now? Alcohol is one of the leading killers of all drugs. But this past July, I was legally able to buy and consume as much as I wanted. I’m in the clear, as long as I don’t drive. Go figure! Then again, when was the last time you heard of someone dying from cancer because they smoked too much marijuana? Yet, I am constantly reminded of how much of an offense Phelp’s smoking habits are. Is this serious news? Quite frankly, it’s not that interesting anymore. At least, not to me it isn’t. Every time I hear another melodrama, I lose my faith in the news industry. Well, not really. But, I’m just sayin ….

Blacks and HIV/AIDS. Are we experiencing a Crisis?

After watching a news segment, I was forced to question why Black people bare the brunt of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. African Americans account for 49 percent of all reported cases in the United States. The status of this STD has new and disturbing connotations. It has metamorphosed into something that is no longer only characterized byhomosexuality. People like Don Lemon promote the acceptability of the coinage: “Black Disease!” in 2009, HIV/AIDS is clearly a Black issue. However, the fact that race is used to personify HIV/AIDS is, very plainly, discouraging.
The ramifications of the statistics are immense. One of the leading causes for the spread of this disease is the high frequency of sexually active Blacks who do not practice safe habits, such as the use of contraceptives. Therefore, HIV/AIDS continues to ravage Black communities throughout the United States. To worsen the matter, the rate of black children having their first sexual encounters is mushrooming. It is doubtful that these adolescents are responsible enough to handle such an adult topic. Many adults don’t deal with this issue sensibly. How can youngsters live up to such stringent expectations?
It’s interesting to scrutinize exactly what is occurring in Black communities. Educating ourselves will prove beneficial to finding solutions. As we begin to rebuild our communities, this subject should receive more face time. I am concerned that the lack of HIV/AIDS awareness is a communication issue. Attacking this deceptively simple problem, will reveal the underlying complexities surrounding the HIV pandemic and why it is allowed to persist. To fully understand why blacks are disproportionately affected, a thorough analysis is necessary. My blog site will house this discussion. But not today though.

A Brief Introduction...

Admittedly, I'm new to this world of blogging. I haven't really figured out where I'm going with it yet. I just like to talk. So with that said, join me in some really good conversation. Yeah? Great!