I fancy myself a pop-culture pundit of sorts and so am not ashamed
to admit that this includes my succumbing to the Reality TV/Celebreality
machine. Likewise, I also try to stay abreast of social media buzz and peep
what blogs, cyber-mags, and social networking forums are on about.
The two mediums seem to go hand-in-hand, particularly when the "Black Twitter"
collective is concerned. Black tweeters bring the LOLz and
they come, guns blazing, when skewering Black celebrities for some foolish
infraction. Black politicians, especially of the Conservative-Republican
variety, aren't above Twitter reproach either... (Herman Cain-kabob anyone?).
Perhaps the best, below-the-belt barbs and Twitter hash-tags come
during the hours reality shows such as Real
Housewives of Atlanta, The Braxtons, Basketbell Wives, Love & Hip Hop and shows of that ilk are on. Some of
the more snarky Black tweeters hit their mark with their quips during some of
the more ridiculous, off-the-cuff scenes. Then there're those who incite the
rest of us to chorus and ask "Huh?" after they’ve
tweeted something... well... dumb or misguided.
Per usual, folks did not disappoint during Love & Hip Hop, which was
followed up by the premiere of T.I.
and Tiny: The
Family Hustle, VH-1's latest reality offering, which documents the
lives of rapper T.I. (fresh from a second prison stint) and his long
suffering girlfriend-turned-wife Tiny, of Xscape and
BET's Tiny & Toya fame.
Surprisingly, Black women on Twitter seemed to saturate their
chonies with crème-de-la-lady leche and began espousing the virtues of true love during some
of the more pivotal scenes on Love
& Hip Hop (when rapper
Jim Jones finally implored his mother to stop antagonizing his embattled
and always battling lady-in-waiting, Chrissy Lampkin. Jones later pledged
his undying affection for Chrissy by placating her o’er top of a roof for a
Moroccan inspired dinner with all the decorative fixings). T.I's - (who makes it known under
no uncertain terms, that he wears the pants and bankrolls day-to-day operations
in his relationship with Tiny) -
obvious loyalty to his blended family and wife is undeniable. In fact, seeing
it played out on TV caused a collective genital quake across Twitter however;
the relationship has been fraught with well-documented legal troubles and
alleged cheating. But this did not stop some women from christening Jim and
T.I.'s dysfunctional relationships with their women as the blueprint for Black
love. I’d be willing to wager that some of these admirers of dysfunctional
love, were some of the same detractors of single-motherhood who suggested
single moms should aspire to be like Beyonce and Jay Z, shortly after
her pregnancy announcement. They lashed out, calling all Snarky
McSnarksteins jealous haters who can't get a man or sustain a relationship ...
... ... OK.
One writer for the popular online publication, Clutch Magazine,
posted a whole article citing these two televised relationships as heartfelt
and wrote:
"Say what you
will about Tiny and T.I.’s hoodrich love, but theirs is the type of
relationship many long for: Loving, affectionate, fun, respectful, and
supportive. Just like Jim and Chrissy, watching T.I. and
Tiny interact on screen made it clear that they are genuinely in love
and they want the world to know."
Much to the chagrin of
some commenters, who cyber side-eyed the piece...
"T.I and Jim
Jones… you have to be kidding! What I don’t understand is this constant
need to look to celelbrities [sic] as role models. I mean I really don’t
understand it. I would like to hope these old a$$ men would want to settle
down. T.I with all those d@mn kids! Jim jones and Dipset with the way the [sic] talk about women…"
Listen, while no one
deserves to be crucified for their past and everyone has the right to err,
love, and be loved; Why is it that some in our community put these
dysfunctional "ride or die" relationships on a pedestal (especially
when a man of questionable character is at the helm, trying to overcompensate
for having put his paramour or wife through years of hell), yet will
belittle others (usually when a woman *read unwed baby mama* is the crux of the conversation)? While
it's undoubtedly love that they're feeling, it just isn't the standard for
Black Love like some people are
trying to suggest. Relationships riddled with drama may work for some, but
doesn't for everyone else, and if that makes me sound like a bitter, single, jealous hag then... that's the ignoramus, narrow view of a naysayer.
This comment from the
aforementioned online magazine sums it up: “You can’t turn a hoe
into a housewife, but you can turn a drug dealer into a husband?” Well, I guess
you should ask Beyonce and Tiny. Apparently thugs can grow into men,
probably an exception and not a rule though. While it’s cute, sweet, and seems
genuine, don’t get wrapped up in the love and hip-hop thinking it could be
you."
2 comments
dope analogy as usual.
yes i confess i do watch
Thanks! I watch too. As much as folks like to pretend they don't, I know they watch. Reality shows are foolish, but reading how people interpret the lives of celebreality stars is telling.
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