Now that the Olympic snubs have passed, and hopefully some have learned the meaning of sportsmanship [see my post Olympic sideshow diminishes USA] I can get back to other thoughts that have caught my attention. I want to mention that I think its about time that further acknowledgment of the ability that Mr. Morgan Freeman possesses. I have spoken about Mr. Freeman in other posts [My list of entertainers and entertainment for 2005, History in America] and am glad to mention him again. Mr. Freeman will be receiving the Spencer Tracy Award, an award shared by past honoree’s that include Mr. Denzel Washington, Mr. Tom Hanks and Mr. James 'Jimmy' Stewart. I will say again that I find Mr. Freeman an inspiration on many levels and young Black African American men should look to him as an inspiration (though Mr. Washington and Mr. Jaime Foxx are equally of note).
Speaking of inspiration, and talent, Mr. John Leguizamo (another favorite of mine, and Hispanic as a bonus, Viva Puerto Rico, whepa! [I have been corrected in that Mr. Leguizamo is part Puerto Rican and Columbian. I apologize for not recognizing his full heritage]) will be opening an ice park in Alaska shortly. This is a truly a sight to see as sculptures, made of ice, are on display and competition. While I have never had the chance to see such a competition in person, the photographs I have seem are beautiful. The skill of the ice sculptors is to be commended. I cannot fathom how to create a 30 foot tall work of art from a block of ice, I do not have such an imagination, but those that can deserve the increased recognition a star such as Mr. Leguizamo brings to the event.
Of course from such inspiration we fall to what seems the monthly barrage of celebrity sex tapes. I just don’t understand the drive that seems to exist here. Perhaps the fact that I was never obsessed with the need to have a poster of anyone ever makes me the extreme here. Be that as it may, why do entertainers constantly have sex tapes of themselves randomly appearing without their consent. Now I realize that nobody ever buys or sees any pornography. It just happens to be the first, most successful business on the internet and sales for XXX films in 2005 exceeded ALL of Hollywood’s sales for 2005 by 41.6% or $3.7 billion. But given this ‘fact’ and that the ultra-conservative nature of the ‘average’ American (as stated by various minority religious groups) is so offended by 5 seconds of naked cleavage (or was it because it was a Black African American woman’s cleavage?) Why do these tapes keep cropping up? And why is it that consistently these tapes involve 2nd or 3rd tier entertainers? It seems suspicious that an entertainer that has not been in the news for an extended period of time “suddenly” has a sex tape appear that dates back to a time when they were popular, and they must protect their image by blocking the sale of said tape. Falling into this category are Paris Hilton, Tommy Lee, Bret Michaels and now Kid Rock among others. Now I can understand trying to protect children of these entertainers from these tapes, but if such a need exists wouldn’t you think that there would be just a bit of precaution used in safeguarding these tapes? If these ‘saintly’ entertainers were so image conscious wouldn’t they think that ‘this could come back one day and be a problem?’ Obviously extreme exposure, and pornography, have had negative consequences for some entertainers in the past. The fact that it is becoming so commonplace as to almost be a marketing technique is disturbing. I know sex sells, but is it too much to ask that we let the professionals do it for the mysterious ‘couldn’t be me’ purchasers of porno’s, and whatever a person chooses to do in private stays that way?
Oh, I can't leave out a last thought. How bad should you feel when your name is the term used by pedophiles to describe their sick acts? If you happen to be R Kelly you may agree with them. I can't say that this singer is a pedophile, but it would seem that the (yes yet another) sex tape implies a man very much like him in the least. The net effect is that black culture has created a slang out of his name. This story was the first I've ever heard of it though (the slang). The upsetting things for me are: 1) If this singer is the one on the tape, he needs to be locked up and nuetered. 2) Why does the black community as a whole continue to support this singer with such an allegation over his head. This is a serious subject and it needs to be resolved. Anyone like the figure in the tape needs to be punished, severely. The mere hint that this entertainer could be him is enough for me to say that some reprimand need be done so actual pedophiles do not create a hero for themselves, as this case seems to imply has happened. Is my solution harsh, yes. Is it unfair, only if the person is innocent. But I beleive that the safety of children is more important. If you can think of a better idea, say it.
[a minor edit was needed for search engine reasosn. I have taken a portion of this post and placed it in its own post. No other alteration has been done.]
This is what I think, what do you think.
4 comments:
i think that that term can mean a whole lot of things not just because he alledgely had sex with a minor. (which we don't know) in black america we do not protect r kelly we simply buy his music that i personally like there is nothing wrong with that,r kelly case needs to be dismiss because tampered evidence,he probaly can't get a fair trial any way because the tape has been exploited and when that happens in most cases it is always dismissed,it was handled improperly and the state needs to go after the isp who plastered it all over the internet as well if they know how old she is its not that hard,so r kelly is innocent in my eyes until proven other wise
Anita, thank you for taking the time to respond.
To address your points, in the article I have linked in this post it is the prosecutions position that the term is expressly direct in its meaning. They backed up their claim with the following: Kelly's name is now listed in the "Urban Dictionary" as a verb that means to have sex with an underage girl.
I do not question the innocence or guilt of the man, in terms of his legal status. I do feel that providing support in buying his records and going to his concerts is protecting him. That is my personal feeling.
I am unaware of evidence tampering, but if you have a link to a credible source on that I invite you to provide it to give a fair and balanced view on the subject.
I do agree that the tape has made it difficult to get an unbiased jury, though not impossible. I am not an attorney but the fact that the unaltered tape has been circulated does not in itself mean that it is not admissible. If it can be forensically proven that the identity of the man is X, and that the tape is unaltered, then it doesn't matter who has seen it. I equate that to shooting someone in public and being caught on tape that is shown on the news, the fact that people saw the news tape does not change the crime. But I may be wrong on this point.
The distributors of the tape face other penalties as the child is a minor and the distribution and/or those viewing the tape are violating child pornography laws.
This man may be innocent, but in such a matter, I personaly feel, taking precautions and showing displeasure as a community is more important. I say again that the fact that those that prey upon children have an entertainer to look upon, rightly or wrongly, as a role-model is disturbing. The fact that the community, of which I AM a part, has not prevented this outcome is regrettable.
First of all R Kelly is a proper noun and that dictionary is a slang one,and the public gets to post the slang,so technically that doesn't count. And what about Led Zeppelin and Rob Lowe they have done the same thing and Led Zeppelin admitted to having sex with underage girls so why aren't their names in there?And as i said before i love R Kelly and his music and will continue on buying it and going to his concert's as well as so many other fans.And the case with the tape has two stories to it,it has been four years and going already,so it has to be something about it that the public does not know. And this has been going on for years Aaron Hall married a 16 year old back in the eighties.So kelly keep on making the good music
Anita,
While I do not wish to allow this to become a war of words I will respond once more. You can continue to speak with me on this directly at info@blackentertainmentblog.com in the future if you wish.
That said... r kelly is actually a noun, and more directly a product symbol. There is no difference betweeen r kelly, Creed, or Pepsi. They are just advertising titles, while robert kelly is a name and proper noun, though it has been some time since I was in school and I apologize if I am wrong on this point.
The dictionary is admittedly an unrecognized source, which is the probable reason for the Judge's disallowance. Yet, slang often becomes part of a language given time. AIN'T was disallowed from dictionaries for years before becoming accepted as the contraction for am not. DIS, BLING and other common slang terms heard in various media are not offical but their use and meaning are accepted daily. Any language grows and continues because the public creates new terms, like disc, or else it dies such as latin did.
Led Zeppelin is a band, not a person. I am unfamiliar with the allegation you refer to. Mr. Rob Lowe though was ostracized for roughly a decade, unseen on TV, Movies or any other media due to his actions. His career was considered, at the time, over. Many feel that his current resurgence will never reach the levels nor potential that he had prior to the sex act. So the community of America did in fact do as I have suggested here, and shunned Mr. Lowe. Mr. Lowe was penalized professionally and monetarily, I don't recall exactly but I believe he also received some sort of jail sentence, but I may be mistaken on that point.
I do not condone any person who commits acts against children. I explicitly am against all who would violate a child in any form. I have never nor ever will imply or state otherwise for anyone.
Marriage is a binding state agreed upon by 2 individuals, historically between a man and woman. Jerry Lee Lewis married his 14 (i think) year old cousin in the 60's. In the 1800's marriages between young (12-13) teenage girls and older men were common. These marriages are legal, and at the times accepted by the general populace. I do not question the ethics or morality of that now, but your point is missed on Mr. Aaron Hall. He made a legal act, whatever any personal thoughts may be, and the subject is about an illegal one.
If you feel that continuing to support r kelly with your purchases of his products is positive, please do. That is your choice, but I disagree. That should not stop you from anything you chose, but it is my opinion backed up as best i can with fact and relevant correlations. Beyond that I don't know what else can be said.
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