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How Clay from ‘Love Is Blind’ became one of the most fascinating people on the reality show – Andscape

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Warning: This article comprises spoilers from season six

As a black man, watching other black men on reality shows is stressful. It’s beautiful when black men come on these shows and display emotional intelligence and true, real love and look after black women. Yet often these men emerge bringing with them their very own brand of colorism and misogyny. , the sixth season of the Netflix dating series wherein strangers propose to one another unnoticed, is full of problematic Black men, in addition to just a few people who give us hope.

Clay Gravesande, one of this season’s heroes, started off as a stereotypically troublesome one-dimensional character. But as the season progressed, it became one of the most complicated depictions of black masculinity, generational trauma and inner turmoil in the history of reality television.

Clay began the season as an easily identifiable villain. When we meet him, he tells his potential partner, Amber Desiree Smith (aka AD), that he won’t select a girl unless he knows what she looks like. “I just have to be attracted to you,” Clay explained. “My favorite attribute is the mouth, the ass and so on. This sounds shallow, but when I’m going to propose to you, I want to know what your best qualities are.

Eventually, AD and Clay get engaged in the pod before going on vacation to the Dominican Republic, after which return home to seek out out in the event that they wish to get married in just a few weeks. He spent these weeks with Clay, exploring his pathology, fears and doubts about marriage.

His problematic comments continued, namely when he told AD that he would not let her gain an excessive amount of weight because he would tell her to “go to the f***ing gym.” He even went so far as to say that he would force her to exercise while she was pregnant. Seeing this, I rolled my eyes, once more frustrated that we had one other black man on a reality dating show who was prepared to mistreat a black woman.

However, as the season progressed, Clay began to debate deeper issues in his life. We learn that a significant role in his uncertainty about marriage was played by his father, whom he greatly admires. Clay described his dad several times as a suave womanizer. We later learn that Clay’s parents, Trevor and Margarita, have been married for over twenty years and that his father has been unfaithful for most of that point. According to Clay, when he was cheating on his mother as a toddler, his dad would take him on “high treason trips.” And Clay’s issues along with his father have coloured his relationship with AD – a lot in order that he talks about how frightened he’s about his marriage failing at every turn. Most of their scenes together revolve around Clay’s fears of infidelity and his readiness to be a husband.

While Clay struggles along with his own internal struggles about marriage, he always affirms how AD helps him and “checks” him when he’s flawed. Throughout their relationship, AD showed great patience and at all times assured Clay that he would give you the chance to see their relationship through to the end. However, the series doesn’t show exactly what Clay does for AD, although we do see him taking her on a romantic date just a few days before their wedding. The classic “Black woman builds up black man with nothing in return” scenario plays out on screen. The drama had me screaming at the screen for AD to see the red flags and leave Clay alone before she was doomed to a long time of basking in a person who had nothing to supply her. As time passes, it seems inevitable that this shall be their fate.

Of course, they each reach the season finale, where they prepare for the wedding and choose at the altar whether or not they really need to get married. But before the ceremony begins, Clay’s dad visits. Their dynamics are immediately visible. Clay’s face lights up as soon as he sees Trevor, who wastes no time telling Clay – and subsequently the audience – about his athletic prowess as a toddler and the way he almost made it to the Olympics. During the conversation, Clay transforms back into a toddler and seeks his father’s acceptance of his decision and where he’s.

The period leading as much as the wedding makes Clay’s decision seem a foregone conclusion. Before that, he celebrates along with his brothers and friends. He never mentions any hesitation. And he smiles as the ceremony begins, even reciting the vows – for instance: “I want to thank you for your patience” – mainly for what AD is doing for him. Everything indicates that they may each say “yes”.

But things aren’t going so easily.

AD said, “Yes.” Clay, nevertheless, shockingly replies no. “I don’t think I have an obligation to say yes,” he tells her. “I still need a job. I still have to get to the point where I’m 100%… I know I’m not fully ready for marriage and you deserve the best.”

I could not imagine it. Neither could social media viewers. At first I used to be outraged by AD.

How dare Clay refuse a girl who has done a lot for him and been so patient? However, the longer this episode went on, the more I noticed something: Clay’s rejection of AD is the first time we see him show her true love, one that puts her first, whether or not that was his actual intention. or not.

Everything Clay said at the altar was absolutely right. He wasn’t able to marry AD. He wasn’t ready to present her every thing he had. The vow he made to her before saying no was proof. Clay was capable of marry AD and see his life greatly improve by being with a girl who was willing to assist him grow. Most men simply resolve on this kind of marriage, desirous to profit from the fruits of a girl’s exertions and “build” them. Clay – in a moment that was somewhere between panic, uncertainty, and selfless love – had spared AD a few years of falling right into a man who wasn’t able to pour anything into her.

Clay’s rejection of AD was one of those unforgettable reality show twists. But a later scene turned the entire episode into something we rarely see on TV, in real life or anywhere else.

While AD and Clay cope with the consequences of his decisions, his parents must reckon with what they only saw. Their conversation is transformative, they usually discuss how the consequences of their marriage and divorce impacted Clay’s entire life. Margarita adamantly demands that Trevor have a serious talk with Clay in order that he doesn’t carry his shame and fears into his future relationships.

At that moment, the cameras captured an actual moment that I can not stop desirous about. While talking to his ex-wife, Trevor pauses, rubs his nose, and chokes just a little. As he does so, the camera focuses on Margarita, who’s taking a look at him with pure frustration on her face, and she or he slowly rolls her eyes internally. Margarita knows what’s coming. She’s seen it for over twenty years and is prepared for what comes next: “I never had the best role models,” Trevor explains, launching right into a monologue about how his father passed on his trauma to him. Margarita’s response was so real for anyone who has needed to live with explanations (and excuses) that do not take much work to heal and evolve. This is very true for black women who’ve needed to endure marriages like hers.

After Margarita cuts off Trevor’s excuses, the most necessary exchange yet occurs.

“Tell him to meet someone like his mom,” Trevor says with a smirk, as if his light-hearted moment would lighten the conversation.

“Yes, but you met me,” she tells him. “But you weren’t good to me.”

This word. Declaration. A requirement that he also acknowledge the pain he feels again after hearing about Trevor’s “infidelity trips” with Clay. It’s a refusal to capitulate to Trevor’s charming gaslighting. And it’s a cry for help for a suffering son.

The scene seemed too deep for something as boring as a reality show, nevertheless it’s also the type of scene that cannot be written. For a black woman to truthfully come to terms together with her ex-husband who has abused her for a long time and be heard seems like a pivotal and cathartic moment.

Clay’s rejection of AD probably means they will not have the conversation his parents just had. But it frees AD to seek out someone higher, worthy of her kindness and who will give it back to her.

At the end of the episode, AD is devastated and asks herself why men often leave relationships in a greater situation after experiencing her love, but she is left with nothing. I hope he sees Clay’s decision as a likelihood to alter that. I hope she will look back on their last moment together after being rejected, with Clay still attempting to get emotional support and affection from her without offering any comfort in return. I hope this reveals that men like him won’t ever be there for her.

Which brings me back to Clay. The last time we saw him, he was sad, ashamed and unsure of his decision. He looked shocked and walked away along with his head down. I do not know what’s next for Clay. I do not know if it can ever change. He has a lot pain and generational trauma to cope with.

And he must consult with his dad.

Upon first viewing, it is easy to see Clay as just one other troubled and problematic man in a history of problematic brothers on reality dating shows. But this season showed us quite a bit of what got him up to now in his life in a raw, unfiltered way that we just don’t often see in entertainment. Whatever happens next, Clay Gravesande shall be one of the most talked about characters we have seen on reality TV.

DavidDennis Jr. is a senior author at Andscape and winner of the American Mosaic Journalism Prize. His book titled The Movement Made Us shall be released in 2022. David is a graduate of Davidson College.

This article was originally published on : andscape.com
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Fans warn Shedeur Sanders to beware of Kardashian curse after Colorado star spotted with Kendall Jenner

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Deion and Shedeur Sanders call out constant disrespect from their doubters.

Shedeur Sanders has been generating quite a bit of buzz recently and is claimed to be a highly anticipated prospect in next 12 months’s NFL Draft.

But being the Colorado Buffaloes quarterback and son of former NFL player and current Colorado coach Deion Sanders also brings with it a potentially unwanted highlight. Shedeur’s clip goes viral after the 22-year-old was spotted embracing Kendall Jenner.

Deion Sanders' son Shedeur defends his father's coaching skills after criticism from former athletes.
Deion Sanders’ son Shedeur speaks out in defense of his father’s coaching skills after being criticized by former athletes. (Photo: @deionsanders/Instagram)

The content creator posted the clip and wrote, “Shedeur Sanders met up with Kendall Jenner, who was recently in Boulder.” Jenner was in Boulder — the house of the University of Colorado — because she was traveling to different cities to promote her brand of liqueur 818 Tequila.

Since the video only shows Jenner’s upper body and Shedeur’s back, who happened to be wearing a hoodie, it’s unclear if she was serving drinks during their meeting, but it surely appeared he was waiting in line to greet her. After a couple of people in front of him moved out of the way in which, he went over to hug Jenner and said, “How are you?” before the video ended.

Many fans warned Shedeur against getting close to Jenner.

One person said, “Nothing good happens when a BLACK athlete dates a Kardashian/Jenner,” and one other said, “Oh no. I’m scolding, I’m scolding!”

A 3rd person wrote: “Stay away from our quarterback. Kardashian/Jenner can’t remember the last athlete who had a successful relationship with one of these girls.”

Of all five Kardashian-Jenner girls, Khloé and Kendall have mostly dated NBA players. Khloé, who’s best known for her marriage and divorce from NBA player Lamar Odom, dated Minnesota Timberwolves player Rashad McCants from 2008 to 2009. He was then traded to the Sacramento Kings, where he played just one season and was never drafted by one other team.

Speaking to Charlotte’s Observer in 2017, McCants said his relationship with Khloé made people query his commitment to the NBA. “Without that in-game situation, I’m a $60-70 million player,” McCants said. “Easily.”

Later in 2009, after only one month of dating, Khloe married Los Angeles Lakers star Odom. The two documented their wedding on the truth show Khloe and Lamar, but their relationship began to crumble, and Odom’s secret struggles with substance abuse began to come to light in 2013. Later that 12 months, Odom was arrested for driving under the influence. From 2011 to 2014, he played for the Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, after which the LA Clippers before becoming a free agent. He then went to the EuroLeague, where he played in two games before injuring his back.

Then in April 2014 he signed with the Knicks before the team waived it in July of the identical 12 months.

Then there’s Khloé’s infamous relationship with Cleveland Cavaliers player Tristan Thompson. The Keeping Up with the Kardashians star had two children with Thompson, but their relationship was severely strained by Thompson’s repeated infidelities. Nevertheless, Thompson’s 13-year NBA profession didn’t end there, and he’s currently on the Cleveland Cavaliers roster.

As for her younger sister Kendall, she briefly dated Brooklyn Nets player Ben Simmons from 2018 to 2019. Simmons was named Rookie of the Year in 2018 and an All-Star in 2019. However, the next seasons became difficult for Simmons after his Philadelphia 76ers team lost to the Atlanta Hawks within the Eastern Conference semifinals in an especially close seven-game series in 2021. He apparently felt that blamed for the Game 7 loss, Simmons never played for the 76ers again before being traded to Brooklyn. He ultimately missed the whole 2021-22 season, even after arriving in Brooklyn mid-season. Since then, battling knee and back injuries — which resulted in each knee and back surgeries — Simmons has played in only 57 games over the past three seasons.

Following this relationship, Kendall dated Phoenix Suns player Devin Booker for 2 years from 2020 to 2022.

It is currently unclear what her relationship status is, but it surely looks like she is likely to be rekindling her relationship with Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny in 2023. They were spotted together in Paris, holding hands in June of this 12 months.

Shedeur’s relationship status is uncertain, because it appears he and actress Storm Reid have quietly split after making their red carpet debut last 12 months.


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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Kamala Harris’ Reproductive Freedom Bus Tour Turns Into ‘Scandal’ Cast Reunion

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Gladiators reunite within the name of democracy.

The solid of Shonda Rhimes’ hit series Scandal will reunite to affix Vice President Kamala Harris and her partner Tim Walz in Michigan for his or her Reproductive Freedom Bus Tour. Actors Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn, Guillermo Díaz, Bellamy Young, Katie Lowes, Dan Bucatinsky, Scott Foley, Portia de Rossi, George Newbern, Jeff Perry and Cornelius Smith Jr. will join Harris-Walz for the campaign launch in Madison Heights.

According to The Hollywood ReporterThe solid’s appearance on the political tour is an element of the Democratic presidential candidate’s technique to win the 2024 election. According to the Harris-Walz campaign, the tour’s mission is to “highlight the stark contrast between Vice President Harris and Governor Walz, who will restore Roe v. Wade protections when Congress passes legislation to that effect, and Donald Trump and J.D. Vance, who will enact their dangerous Project 2025 agenda to ban abortion nationwide, restrict access to contraceptives, force states to report women’s miscarriages and abortions, and threaten access to in vitro fertilization.”

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The Reproductive Freedom Bus Tour, which kicks off September 3 in Florida, plans to go to key states across the country to debate the stakes of reproductive rights with Democratic and Republican communities. During the last presidential debate, attention focused on abortion rights and in vitro fertilization (IVF), as Harris pledged to revive nationwide reproductive rights, while Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump refused to commit to vetoing a nationwide abortion ban if he wins the election.

In August, “Scandal” stars Washington and Goldwyn, known for his or her iconic roles as Olivia Pope and fictional President Fitzgerald Grant, thrilled fans by reuniting to co-host the 2024 Democratic National Convention. Over the years, Washington has develop into known for her political advocacy. As a Democratic supporter, the actress has not only partnered with nonprofits to debate abortion rights, but additionally launched her own nonprofit, Influence Change, which “recruits other artists to promote civic engagement.”

“Democracies work best when everyone votes. As a public figure, it’s important to me to remind people of their political power and share any information I have that helps them step into their power,” she said, as previously reported by theGrio. “Artists, musicians, athletes, actors and creators have a unique opportunity to encourage voters. The combined reach of our networks can be used to inspire participation and ensure that more people take their rightful place as active participants in our democracy. I’m not speaking out because I’m an artist; I’m speaking out because I’m an American.”

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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Former Bad Boy artist Shyne reveals his true feelings about Diddy’s role in sending him to prison following Mogul’s recent arrest

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Former rapper turned politician Moses “Shyne” Barrow has broken his silence on the recent arrest of Sean “Diddy” Combs.

The Belize-born artist, once an integral a part of Diddy’s Bad Boy Records, has publicly shared his thoughts for the primary time on the music executive’s recent legal troubles.

Though he’s made it clear that Diddy’s legal troubles “don’t make him happy,” the “Bad Boyz” chart-topper stays adamant that his former boss “ruined” his life.

Former Bad Boy artist Shyne blames Diddy for his 10-year sentence for a 1999 nightclub shooting. (Photo: Prince Williams/WireImage; Paras Griffin/Getty Images)

Shyne’s statement got here just days after Combs was arrested on federal charges including extortion, human trafficking and prostitution, which resulted in Diddy being denied bail twice.

The case has made headlines, with many wondering about Diddy’s past. Not only are people bringing up his infamous “Freak-offs” and “Diddy Parties,” but in addition his infamous connection to an incident at a New York nightclub in 1999, where Shyne was partying with the Bad Boy founder and his then-girlfriend, Jennifer Lopez, before gunfire injured two people.

Shyne had no idea how his life would unravel after that night. His profession was cut short, and his life as a free man was marked by first-degree assault, possession of a weapon and reckless endangerment. The chart-topping star was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2001 for his role in the altercation. He was eventually released in 2009 and deported to Belize.

Fast forward to 2024, and the 2 men appear to be on completely different paths. Shyne is now the leader of the opposition in the Belize House of Representatives, while Diddy faces charges that would land him a life sentence. Shyne shared his thoughts on his former boss’ case at a press conference in Belize.

“When I was an 18-year-old kid who wanted to do nothing but make my mother and Belize happy and be recognized for my talent and take over the world,” Shyne recalled in an interview with Channel 5 Belize. “I defended him and he turned around and called witnesses to testify against me.”

Shyne’s face remained impassive as he explained the role Diddy played in his legal struggles. “He contributed to… basically sent me to prison. That’s the context in which this (relationship) should always be described. I’ve forgiven. I’ve moved on. But let’s not pretend I was in Miami for Thanksgiving and Christmas.”

Shyne suggested that he and Combs aren’t as close as some might think. Despite his forgiving heart, he made sure to set the record straight about their relationship.

“So let’s not lose sight of the cold, hard facts,” Shyne said. “This is not someone I vacationed with and he and I had this wonderful, intimate brotherhood with. This is someone who destroyed my life and I have forgiven him and moved on.”

For years, Shyne has worked with Diddy to bring resources to Belize, but Diddy has clarified that their partnership is strictly business-related.

“Don’t distort it like we’re boom bally. This is someone who ruined my life,” he continued.

Shyne’s evolution from rapper to politician has not gone unnoticed. When The Shade Room published press conference, many praised him for his grace and wisdom in handling the situation, with one commentator noting, “Shyne is the true definition of someone who will sit back and let God do the work.”

Another person said, “This man has really grown. Holding on to bitterness and resentment only hurts you, not the perpetrator. Let life deal with people. Karma never loses its address.”

“Forgiving someone without an apology is powerful,” said a 3rd comment.

Not everyone was impressed. Some wanted him to admit his role in his death.

“First of all, you ruined your life…let’s take responsibility,” the Shade Room commentary admonished. “That’s the problem, people not taking responsibility for their actions and how it leads them to destruction.”

Despite his troubled past, Shyne stays focused on his future and the well-being of his country. “Nobody has to fail for me to succeed,” he said, further evidence of his growth.

Meanwhile, the producer behind the success of artists like Mary J. Blige, The Notorious B.I.G. and The Lox is facing legal troubles. His legal team had proposed a $50 million bail to secure his release, but a judge denied the request, citing concerns about witness intimidation and flight risk. The music mogul will remain behind bars in Brooklyn as his trial approaches.


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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