The Corner  

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Over this past week I attended the BET Hip-Hop Awards in Atlanta.  Seeing the red carpet, the stars, celebrities, and VIP's was very impressive.  Security was very tight, helicopters hovered overhead, and there were numerous security checkpoints.  As my lovely wife and I walked a couple of blocks so to get into the staging area.  I began to notice how Black Folks are herded into certain events and situations.  We were treated without any respect or compassion.  We were exposed to numerous searches and pat downs.  We entered through several metal detectors.  And we were herded through the back hallways of the Civic Center.  The amount of money that was put into this particular production was very impressive.  Plenty state-of-the-art equipment, electronics, audio and video systems.  There were thousands upon thousands of groupees surrounding the entire complex.  If you are lucky enough to obtain a ticket gain entry.  Those who did were treated short of entering prison system.  You are herded into your designated seats.  Only allowed to move during certain portions of the production.  And not really allowed to have any kind of interactional access to the so-called celebrities of this particular if it.  To top the evening off, we heard that one of the main headliners and performers TI had been arrested on federal gun charges.  TI was awarded a couple of BET Hip-Hop Awards that evening, but I am giving him the 2007 Lamont Sanford Award for being A Big Dummy! Which brings me to my point, why are celebrities getting into so much trouble?  Do they believe they can operate outside of the law?  By being a celebrity allows them to do things that the rest of us have to do?  Why would a multimillionaire need to buy submachine guns and silencers?  Why does a multimillionaire need to fight dogs?  Why do multimillionaires need to drive themselves after they had been drinking?  Why are they so stupid?  Should they be given special consideration because they are celebrities, or should they be sentenced equally as everyone else?

These so-called role models influence our children's behavior more so than we do.  Although we should be proud of their accomplishments we should also highly illustrate their wrongdoing and the consequences that come along with it.  Celebrities should be praised for their accomplishments, but we should also use them as role models of things not to do.  Stupid is as stupid does.  We should continue to uplift, physicians, educators, business owners, engineers, attorneys, and others that are self-employed.

What do you think, should celebrities or entertainers be treated as harshly as the rest of us or should they be given a pass?

Holler Back at Us on The Corner!

B Jones