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Whitney Houston's Sacrificial Choice: Fame and Fortune or the Mirror - and the Bobby Brown Factor
By Cleo Manago, CEO and founder of Black Men's Xchange (BMX)
Washington, DC - The Whitney Houston story and finality is profoundly tragic, and may have been inevitable. The whole story may never be told. Given the often daunting or de-dimensionailzed imagery of dark-skinned Black men in America, Houston's former husband, New Edition's Bobby Brown, is an easy target to successfully blame for Whitney's demise. Though Mr. Brown has been allowed little air time to speak for himself, so many think they already know what kind of dastardly person he likely is. On the other hand, it is so easy to constantly depict Whitney Houston as a fallen angel, who was abused by Bobby, the big bad [Black] wolf. As a result, many would look at the cruel and anticipated mistreatment of Bobby Brown at Whitney's funeral as par for his course. This done at what supposedly is God's house - a church, at the funeral of Bobby Brown's former wife and his daughter's mother.Bobby Brown could never ever be accused of being a fallen or troubled "angel." Angels (in our mind's eye) don't look like Mr. Brown. Comparatively, Whitney is more the angel type. Yet, the fact of the matter is, no angels were involved here, just a couple of earthly [Black] human-beings who tried to get through the gauntlet of life - as they were and are - in this society.
Whitney had rumored struggles connected to her sexuality, her race, her family's (and society's) expectations; being subject to the wrath of the often hypocritical, abusive, judgmental and omnipresent [Black] church culture; and the irony of achieving superhuman iconic status, while never working out the kinks of her deep struggles. Whitney used drugs to self-medicate, then brought a husband and child into the firing-line of the glamorous looking Whitney Houston volcano. Any reference to Bobby's "bad behavior" while leaving space to critique Whitney's behavior empty (if you must critique at all) is simply the residue and proof of how successful Clive Davis' Houston propaganda machine was, and how well people have been influenced by the racist imagery of Black men.
Millions of aspiring [Black] singers, if given the opportunity Clive gave Whitney, would have made the same sacrificial choice (and many have): fame and fortune or the mirror! If Whitney had chosen to deal with the mirror, she may still be here. She did not survive her choice and the preceding pressures long enough to get old, and that was not because of Bobby Brown. Michael Jackson, Luther Vandross and Whitney Houston all inherited the deadly circumstance and mixture of being brilliant, famous and Black in this society and unable to make peace with the mirror.
What we could learn from facing the premature death of even another beloved icon is the importance of co-creating a culture and climate that allows people to accept themselves - for who and what they really are. Fame, fortune nor religion make us immune to the consequences of not being able to fully embrace ourselves. We can save lives by ceasing to disrupt the personal peace of same-gender-loving (SGL), Black, famous or non-conformist people.
American Reunion
By ETWire Editor
Funnier than I expected
When I saw American Pie about several years ago, I was surprised that I was entertained. After watching the fourth installment, I am just as surprised that I was entertained again. American Reunion had all the usual high jinks and quirks expected from the franchise—with a little message at the end. Friendship doesn’t have to end.
In the movie, the crew returns to their hometown for the class of 1999 reunion. Jim and Michelle are married and have a 2 year old son. Finch is “traveling the world.” Kevin is a married architect who works from home. Oz is a sports caster while Stifler is temping at an investment firm. With the exception of Stifler, all of them have to navigate issues with (past) loves and the old shoulda, coulda, wouldas. Some stay where they are; others rediscover something special.
I’d be lying if I said that I’ve watched the second and third installment but it was nice to catch up with the group. Much of the humor is similar to the original, which may bother some movie goers. However, I don’t think fans will be too disappointed.
