"I wish you would!"

VH1's  Basketball Wives knows how to bring the drama with constant arguments between the women who, oddly enough, claim to be friends.  Each week, somebody's gettin' a good cussin' out. These days, drama translates to more than just venomous words... it means physical violence.

Things have escalated so much so that viewers, spurred on by talk show host Wendy Williams, are boycotting the show and are petitioning online prevent Evelyn Lozada from having a spin-off show due to her "bullying". Some fans are offended that women are shown in such a turbulent angry red haze --- throwing a full bottle of wine at someone's head, slapping someone in the face, and jumping on a table to run and dive on the other chick.

While I understand how those who have taken offense feel, I can understand how easy it is to let your anger get the better of you as well. Been there many times.  Will still go there if necessary.  So, I'm not boycotting or signing that petition because I feel like Tami and Evelyn are me, just in a different city and on TV.  This chick ain't mad at them. You have to stand up for yourself. And some of us are just magnets for drama. Not that we want to be but it likes us.

Let's get to what I can't understand.  The slap heard around the world. That situation has been stuck in my craw since the episode aired weeks ago.  It was brought up again tonight and the asinine attempt to  justify it (again) was so ridiculous, I have to speak on it.

The argument went like so:



So, chick gets up and comes around the long a$$ table to do just that. Slap Jen in her freakin' face.  Jen just sits there as though she doesn't see this girl coming for her.  WTF, Jen? Are you out of your M Fing mind?  I don't care how refined and bougie you are, you don't hold still and let a b!+ch smack the damn taste out of your mouth. You should have been on your feet with that six inch heel in your freakin' hand by the time she made it around that table. What!! Girl, if I could've, I would have reached through the TV and slapped your a$$ right after she did just because you sat there and let her do it.  Now that's what I can't understand.  Why would you not even attempt to protect and defend yourself when you knew she was on her way to get you? See, that's what the viewers should be boycotting, stupidity like that. That kinda crap should have people scratching their heads in amazement.  I won't be the first one to resort to violence, but if you attack me, it's on, baby!  Cuss and scream all you want to but don't put your damn hands on me.

The other thing that I don't understand is the crazy (I'm being nice) explanation for why Jen was slapped.  As of tonight, it has been said at least twice that she "asked" to be slapped.  You heifers are crazy.  Quit playing stupid 'cause the viewers aren't that dumb that they're buying that crap.  Everybody knows that when you're in a heated argument and someone makes a threat and the other person responds with, "I wish you would" or "I wish you might", even prefaced by the word "yeah", it is not an invitation for you to carry out your threat.  It is a warning, plain and simple.  Translated, it means, 1) "Go ahead and try it and see what happens, fool!"; 2) "Come on over here; you'll get the best a$$ whippin' you ever had 3) "Um hmm! You might act crazy but you know better.

Sadly, in Jen's case, it simply meant, "Okay, I'll be waiting, girl."  But ladies, please stop trying to convince us that Jen invited that chick to slap her. Pure nonsense!  You seem foolish each time you say it.  And the lawsuit, well, it might be a bit much to us chicks who don't mind scrapping; but, clearly, Jen is not that chick.  Even if she was at some point in her past, she has distanced herself from such behavior and she prefers to do her battle in the legal arena. To each her own. You choose the action, you have to live with the consequences.  The slap got you a few moments of fame but Jen is taggin' that a$$ in court.

Does that mean that chick asked for the lawsuit? I think it does. Oh, and if you're wondering why I'm calling her "chick", I don't remember her name and she just seemed so random, like she didn't belong there with the group. That is all.  Now go play nice!


P.S.  I found this  article on TMZ  and the Youtube video above. Her name is Nia.

Bishop Eddie Long --- It's Your Time... to be truthful about who you really are

Embattled mega church leader Bishop Eddie Long spoke to his congregation regarding the allegations that he coerced several young men from the worship center into sexual relationships. Long stated that while he never portrayed himself as a perfect man, he is not the man the media portrays. He also compared himself to David in the fight against Goliath.  Promising to fight "vigorously", Long warned that he has five stones, none of which he has thrown.

The New Birth Baptist Church congregation erupted in thunderous applause in support of their pastor.  Those willing to speak to reporters upon leaving the service said that they believed Bishop Long and would stand by him.


CNN anchor Fredricka Whitfield spoke with CNN correspondent Martin Savidge  about Long's speech as well as Shayne Lee, author of  Holy Mavericks, and Craig Washington, writer for The Root.   It seemed that all three felt that Long spoke with a lack of conviction and did not make a clear declaration of innocence.  Lee was the most outspoken in his belief that this is the beginning of Long's downfall as leader of the 25,000 member church.

Even before watching Long's televised speech to his parishioners, it has been my opinion that the young men who have bravely come forward to reveal their ordeal are telling the truth and Bishop Long should stand boldly on the truth of who he really is, a smart, calculating, and patient pedophile who waited until his prey was of the age of consent to avoid criminal charges. His speech only served to further cement my beliefs.  

Those reading this post will undoubtedly accuse me of being judgmental. Absolutely! As a pastor, this man has stood in judgment of people every Sunday telling them what actions and methods of living are sinful and instructing them on how to conduct themselves.  Why should he not be held accountable and to a higher standard given his position as a leader? He knew from the moment he conceived the notion of taking advantage of those young men that he was in violation of  the very religious teachings he so charismatically belted out weekly.  He knew in his heart, where no man can hide from his true self, that he enjoyed the same homosexual activity that he so loudly declared to be morally and religiously wrong. It is simply ludicrous to think that the same biblical principles and societal customs should not be adhered to by Bishop Long.  

And yes, I said that those young men are brave... because they are. Who are they in the eyes of society?  Have you ever heard their names mentioned before this report was made public?  Still, they were willing to subject themselves to untold scrutiny, anger, and ostracism to take on a man with a tremendous public platform who has more wealth, powerful connections, and influence than they may even dare dream of having in their lifetime. Yet, they came forward to expose a well insulated predator. They should be celebrated by responsible parents everywhere.  
  
I am the parent of a teenage male and if we were members of that church, I would be actively questioning him as to whether or not he was ever approached by this pastor in the manner described in the lawsuits.  As parents, we sometimes focus so much on having our children become independent and self-sufficient that we unwittingly throw them to the wolves presenting themselves as sheep (or in this case, shepherds) to our society.  We need to realize that it is not a crime to be an active participant in our child's life.  Rather, it is a necessity to protect them from the wolves of humanity waiting for the opportunity to devour them. Instead of being there for Bishop Long, the members of his congregation should be standing with these men on their treacherous journey in search of justice, the release of the burden and pain endured over the years under the weight of such a heavy secret and the ever elusive peace of mind.

I challenge the members of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church to be judgmental and demanding of their bishop in defense of children in their congregation.  Save them from the monster in the $4,000 suit as they are too naive and vulnerable to protect themselves.  It is your duty as a parent, as an official of the church, or even just as an adult who is better equipped to stand in opposition of another adult.  The church should be a refuge instead of the hostile environment it's leader has turned it into for those men.

Please read "A Sermon for Bishop Eddie Long" by Craig Washington.  I came across it as I searched for applicable links for my own post.  He is a far better writer than I and puts forth a compelling case for church goers everywhere to refrain from idolizing pastors.  They are as human as the rest of us. While that is often spoken as a first defense for their immoral, criminal or just plain bad behavior, it is not a viable excuse to allow them to remain on a pedestal after they've severely abused their position and power while their victims continue to be abused by the unfair judgment and condemnation heaped upon them because they dare to try to pull back the veil and reveal the identity of their tormentor.  And torment is what these men will endure for years to come even if their allegations are proven and upheld in court.  Are you standing by and protecting the predator? 



Bishop Long, it's your time... time to be truthful about who you really are and what you've done. You've been called out and you know that you cannot stand on a lie.  If you used your power, influence, and wealth to betray your duties as the church bishop and prod young, impressionable and vulnerable teenagers to engage in homosexual activity with you, you need to be the leader and man you claim to be and own it. It's time.

Tyler Perry victorious in recent lawsuit

The jury listened as the script for the play, Fantasy of a Black Woman by Donna West, was read. They watched as the movie, Diary of a Mad Black Woman by actor and screenwriter Tyler Perry, played. The jury even heard the testimony of L.D. Dabney, a Dallas area arts buff and associate of West, who stated that he thought Perry's movie was based on West's play when he viewed the film. Still, in the end, the jury sided the with once-struggling playwright turned uber-successful entertainment mogul.

Perry took to the stand in his own defense and endured charges that he took material from other movies like Martin Lawrence's Big Momma's House. Aubrey Pittman, West's attorney, contended that Perry incorporated ideas from The Color Purple, An Officer and a Gentleman and Mrs. Doubtfire into his mega-hit movie as well.

Making eye contact with the jury, Perry responded unequivocally, "I never stole anything from anybody--- never."

West was seeking all proceeds from the movie which took in $50.4 million at theaters across the country.