Entertainment
The media must approach the Sean “Diddy” Combs-Andscape saga with caution
There is an African proverb that claims, “Until the lions tell the story, the hunter will always be the hero,” which serves as a contemporary reminder of the power of storytelling. This sentiment seems especially relevant as we learn more about the accusations and federal indictments filed against disgraced music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs. The stories about Combs and his alleged a long time of sexual violence are multi-layered, complicated and nuanced. People reporting details can shape the narrative and influence how future generations reflect and learn from a subject.
Combs’ ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, got here shortly after testifying lawsuit against the Bad Boy Records founder in November 2023 over allegations of harassment, rapper Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson announced that he intended to provide a documentary about the multiple allegations made against Combs. Jackson has a successful track record of leveraging his rap profession to construct a far-reaching television empire that features shows including ABC’s Starzand. I believe an upcoming documentary on Combs that I apparently found house on netflixwill resonate with an excellent larger audience, underscoring the need to speak such a critical issue with great care.
As with all true crime stories, Jackson likely won’t be the just one tackling Combs’ story. Combs is such a pivotal figure in hip-hop that historians, documentarians, journalists, essayists, and even reckless conspiracy theorists will proceed to explore the decline of his legacy for years to return. And rightly so. He was greater than only a music mogul. The idea itself was powerful: a young black man who went from being a celebration promoter to creating one in every of the most culturally significant and commercially successful record labels in hip-hop history. Now the once-iconic businessman’s legacy is becoming parallel to that of a person accused of a long time of sexual violence against ladies and menharassment, sex trafficking and other types of harassment. I believe the depth of Combs’ depravity has yet to be revealed, but there continues to be much to investigate. Nevertheless, for the sake of hip-hop’s history and, most significantly, the survivors of that history, evaluation and deconstruction can’t be mired in sensationalism (like the response to alleged “freaks” and disgusting amounts of Combs baby oil allegedly purchased for sex parties), anti-gay gossip or prejudice disguised as jokes. Storytellers have an enormous responsibility to get this job right. As a culture, we should always arm ourselves with criteria for access to the frame chosen by storytellers.
Correctly determining this, or reasonably completing an evaluation of the multitude of variables which have contributed to abuses that allegedly span a long time, is incomplete at best unless well-versed experts add critical context to the information being reported. We especially need thought leaders from the Black LGBTQ community to share their knowledge. Their insights can illuminate the intersection of hip-hop culture and LGBTQ issues, enriching the narrative while making content more inclusive. The molestation allegations against Combs look like sparking increased speculation about his sexuality. Navigating the sea of sensationalism would require keen evaluation by someone expert enough to notice which aspects are irrelevant to allegations of harassment, while also identifying anti-gay bias masquerading as take care of alleged victims.
“I hope these documentaries will show how victims of violence begin to rebuild their lives, to show that they can lead stable and healthy lives after violence.”
— Elsamarie King
A comprehensive evaluation also requires making an allowance for the opinions of experts who may discuss the correlation between violence against women and hip-hop culture. Brilliant black feminists like Joan Morgan and filmmaker Dream Hampton have been interpreting this complex narrative for a long time. In recent years, authors comparable to He feels sorry for Bowen, Taylor Crumpton, AND Jamilah Lemieux took on this task and offered high-caliber analyzes of the intersection of race, gender, and hip-hop culture. But these are only just a few women who can share their knowledge on this topic. And although there are only just a few of them, there are still caring Black journalists who’ve addressed this issue topic fastidiously. These too ought to be included, not only to offer context, but in addition to partake in a few of the labor that will probably be required in examining violence against women in hip-hop. A documentary about sexual violence against women at the hands of Jackson, one in every of hip-hop’s strongest moguls, can be incomplete without the care and nuance offered by caring Black feminists who even have a body of labor focused on hip-hop and Black journalists who’re unafraid to talk out truth.
Nuance is the operative phrase. Contextualizing the thread between the allegations made in Combs and the way systemic racism in the Black community may contribute to the abuse of power by some hip-hop legends is important to telling this story more fully. This is a level of nuance often demonstrated by Black sociologists.
But on this, the best sociologists, the most prolific Black feminists, and the insightful thought leaders of the Black LGBTQ community won’t outweigh the need for special take care of survivors, which each and every upcoming document must entail. According to Elsamarie King, a licensed social employee with over 15 years of experience working with survivors of sex trafficking and domestic violence, “each time their story is shared, the emotional and physical well-being of survivors is at stake.” King continued: “(It is important to) make sure that sharing the story will benefit the person rather than harm them. You don’t want to re-traumatize them. King goes on to note that “minimizing and sensationalizing can lead to self-harm, relapse, or suicidal thoughts.”
Asked what key elements she hopes any upcoming disclosure about Combs will include, King replied: “The lasting effects of the violence a victim has endured take years, sometimes even a long time, to heal. Some survivors suffer from Stockholm syndrome, wherein they feel sorry for the perpetrator and sometimes blame themselves for the violence. “I hope these documentaries will show how victims of violence begin to rebuild their lives, to show that they can lead stable and healthy lives after violence.”
These projects should reflect the desire for survivors of violence to steer healthy lives and the overall well-being of those that will watch the upcoming documentaries. Countless stories of abuse from someone we felt connected to through our love of hip-hop are usually not only infuriating, but painful to digest, especially when the victims are members of historically marginalized communities.
No wound hurts as much as the one you inflict at the hands of a community that ought to embrace you and never hurt you. But that does not imply you should not make movies about painful experiences. Rather, it signifies that filmmakers must go into these projects with a plan to take care of audiences and survivors. The author Alice Walker once said, “Those who love us never leave us alone with our sadness. The moment they show us our wound, they reveal that they’ve a cure. Walker made this statement in the case The work of Zora Neale Hurston. Walker acknowledged that Hurston took the pain of her audience under consideration when she wrote about the horrors of slavery. Journalist and filmmaker Brooke Obie she was the first author I can remember who adopted this litmus test for film criticism and evaluation, while also using it to solidify her assessment of whether a movie ought to be considered trauma pornography. I learned to treat it as an anchor in my writing and use it as a lens when viewing content focused on painful narratives. In particular, content that presents a harrowing story should offer viewers a spot to place that pain, a kind of drugs for the wound. In this case, exploring what the path to healing for survivors and culture may entail can act as a balm for viewers.
When dealing with the Combs case, the need for take care of spectators and survivors, nor the importance of context from insightful experts in the field, can’t be overemphasized. If we’re to do that well, the framework mentioned above must be taken under consideration. Those with the platform and resources to unravel this narrative should achieve this with the understanding that its articulation may shape future generations. The hip-hop community, and most significantly, survivors of sexual assault, deserve for these projects to be a manifestation of hip-hop at its best – unafraid to talk truth to power, informed by context, and good storytelling that serves as a voice those that are sometimes silenced by society.
Entertainment
NBA star Carmelo Anthony’s son, Kiyan, is attending Syracuse University
The apple doesn’t fall removed from the tree. This weekend, Carmelo Anthony and La La Anthony celebrated their son Kiyan’s long-awaited college decision. As considered one of the highest 40 recruits in men’s basketball, the 17-year-old decided to proceed his father’s legacy by attending Syracuse University, Anthony’s alma mater. Kiyan announced the news along along with his parents in an episode of the show “7 p.m. in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony” podcast.
“I just look at Syracuse and see what could be done there if I were to go there,” Kiyan said, explaining his decision. “Top people I’m near are already coming; young coaching staff with whom I can establish contact. (It’s) near home, a 45-minute flight. (USC) would ask me to catch a six-hour flight to California. Just all this after which ACC; they play Duke, Carolina, they play all the great schools. All of this plays into why I selected Syracuse.
According to Carmelo, the choice got here after much debate and hesitation from the teenager.
“I’m glad he decided to make this decision,” said the previous NBA star, while his ex-wife La La emphasized that that they had no influence on their son’s final decision.
“I think it’s important to say… Kiyan really made this decision,” she added. “I feel it’s an incredible decision. (Syracuse is) an incredible school they usually worked really hard with recruiting and just made him feel like a priority. They were great and I mean those are big shoes to fill. But at the identical time, this is his moment and his line, so it is time for him to create his own.
While the NBA star shared his “input on all schools,” Kiyan says his growing relationship with the Syracuse staff solidified his decision.
“From the first day they started recruiting me, they made me feel like family,” he said ESPN. “My dad’s name on the facility is special, but I want to go in there and make my own name, and I’ve already done that with my involvement in the offseason, training in the mornings, playing in camps, playing laps in the stadium.”
Just as Kiyan desires to forge his own path in basketball, his parents at all times wanted him to have a way of individuality. La La claims that she and Carmelo intentionally didn’t name their son after the previous NBA star due to the “added pressure of being called Carmelo Anthony.”
“We did it on purpose so he could chart his own path and be himself and do things his own way,” she said. “I don’t think it takes all the pressure off, but a little bit. I just told (Kiyan), “You have to do your thing. Even when deciding on college, do what you think is best. You don’t have to just do everything your dad did… you have to do what makes sense for you.”
Entertainment
Carmelo Anthony and La La share awkward exchange in rare appearance since the NBA star’s secret daughter was born with his lover
After her ex-husband’s appearance on his podcast, many individuals are wondering if something continues to be occurring between La La Anthony and Carmelo Anthony.
The “Power” actress joined the former New York Knicks player and his co-host, The Kid Mero, on the season two premiere of “7 p.m. Brooklyn” along with their 16-year-old son, Kiyan Anthony. The November 115 episode was dedicated to Kiyan’s announcement of his decision to attend his father’s alma mater, Syracuse University.
La La got here onto the show after about 10 minutes, greeting everyone warmly, smiling, and offering hugs and kisses to – well, almost everyone.
She sat up, turned to her ex and joked, “Oh, they’re going to talk shit because I didn’t hug you.”
Carmelo casually replied, “It’s okay, we’re far away.”
But in a funny way, she did exactly what she was attempting to avoid by drawing attention to the moment.
She stood up and tiptoed over to him, though only partially, leaving the 10-time All-Star to step forward and meet her for an especially quick and noticeably awkward “church hug.”
When La La returned to her place on the ‘couch’, she giggled along with Mero, clearly aware of the situation, and then joked, “Hi, daddy dear.”
The stiff hug immediately sparked an uproar amongst fans, with some saying it looked more forced than friendly. While the moment could have been harmless, La La’s decision to point it out only drew attention to the hug. Fortunately, the remainder of the episode focused on their successful co-parenting and the excitement of Kiyan achieving his goal of joining the Syracuse Orange basketball team.
Fans on YouTube comments section celebrated their teamwork and reflected on a hug.
“It’s a fact that La La and Melo really stepped up and pushed the bulls aside so that their son could develop in a stress-free environment and feel fully supported. Blessings, man,” one comment read, adding: “Good luck to Kiyan in Syracuse. Let’s hope he grows into an incredible jumper.”
Another fan wrote, “This hug reduced the faith in my delusional mind that anything would rekindle. BUTTT As someone who grew up on Melo and La La, this was an incredible full circle moment. I actually have been watching Kiya play for a very long time and cannot wait to see what he does in college and in the league.
Someone else said, “Hey, the hug with Lala was more awkward than no hug at all.”
However, one viewer saw it in a different way, writing: “And congratulate Lala for getting ahead of the trolls and hugging Melo so they have something else to talk about.”
A fifth added: “Yo!!!! I love the fact that his parents are HERE!!!!! They don’t even fuck each other, but they keep their fingers crossed for their child TOGETHER!!! Shout out to La and Melo, man. I’m proud of them because they raised not only a football player, but also a bright young man!”
While the two appear to have put aside their differences for Kiyan’s sake, their story hasn’t been without drama. Carmelo fathered a baby with one other woman during his marriage to the “BMF” star, which reportedly caused a everlasting rift between him and La La.
According to a previous report by TMZ, there have been also rumors that Anthony could have fathered twins. La La filed for divorce in 2021 and when asked what caused the split, she replied revealed to Angie Martinez: “There were other people involved.”
“It was bad because there were allegations,” she added. “It got worse.”
Although La La continues to publicly support her son and his father, fans have noticed that he has been staying away from the little girl. When Carmelo’s daughter Genesis turned 7, fans noticed her absence from her Knicks-themed birthday celebration.
“La La said she doesn’t play stepmom to ANYONE. Let someone else do it,” one fan commented on The Neighborhood Talk Instagram.
Another wrote: “La La is the epitome of the saying, ‘If your man has a baby outside, you bounce like a bouncy house!'”
While the baby could have caused tension between the former couple, the situation doesn’t appear to have an effect on Kiyan, who still admires his father. Although he doesn’t consider Carmelo to be considered one of the top three basketball players of all time, he decided to follow in his father’s footsteps and enroll at Syracuse University.
Despite their past, La La and Carmelo proved they might unite for his or her son by making this moment about him quite than their history.
Entertainment
Serena Williams’ bizarre anniversary tribute sparks fears she remains married for months after rumors of marital troubles
Speculation concerning the status of Serena Williams’ marriage to husband Alexis Ohanian has been increasing for a while now. The whispers escalated recently after they sent one another lackluster anniversary messages via social media.
On Saturday, November 16, the couple reflected on their seven years together by sharing Instagram posts dedicated to one another.
“7 years have passed so quickly… Happy anniversary @alexisohanian Thank you for being the very best daddy to our girls @olympiaohanian AND @adiraohanian Thank you for turning a median November day into a fancy dress party and making it special,” wrote the 23-time Grand Slam winner postwhich included several photos of Ohanian in dad mode during Halloween and candid family moments.
Her counterpart common a touching family portrait of Williams and their daughters, Olympia (7) and Adira (1).
“We got married here seven years ago. Now we will take these two out for donuts. Happy anniversary 🎉 Thank you for giving me two of the best people we now have ever met. You are a tremendous mom. I’m so completely happy to fulfill you,” he said before tagging Williams and their daughters.
The decision to center anniversary messages around the kids resulted in fans being congratulatory and signaling a scarcity of public affection, sparking more rumors about potential marital problems.
One person commented: “I hope everything is still going well for you! Regardless, it is commendable for the children to come together.”
Having faced some backlash over their assumptions, the unique commenter forwarded some of the accounts to some skeptics.
“Also, Serena posted a tweet on October 21 in which she wrote: “I don’t know who should listen to this (maybe no one), but if someone, even someone close to you, robs you of your joy, you can walk away.”
Another person also noticed Williams’ dry message. – That’s right, there’s nothing about love. only compliments about parenting.
Another fan later asked, “Nothing about you guys being happy being married?”
The comments on Ohanian’s post also speculated that there may be some trouble in paradise.
“No words of love for Rena? Shame, I ponder what could have happened,” said one follower.
Another replied how telling this “weird” news was. “It was very strange news. Not using the word love for your wife in your anniversary post is weird. However, these words seem very similar to what he wanted to express. “I’m glad I met you.”
One of them stated that irrespective of how strange or off-putting the messages were, Williams would not see them because she didn’t all the time follow her husband on Instagram.
The gray anniversary news is not the primary time a nerd-athlete love story has began swirling within the rumor mill.
In May 2024, Williams attended the Met Gala sans Ohanian. His absence was unusual for the couple because it was the primary ceremony he had not attended since they became husband and wife.
To add fuel to the fireplace, the Reddit co-founder was missing in motion during Williams’ well-documented and publicized appearances during Milan Fashion Week. There was also no annual Father’s Day fast for Ohanian, as was the case in previous years.
Things escalated when people noticed Williams had been photographed several times without her wedding ring.
Social media followers were quick to defend her within the conversation surrounding the missing ring.
“I mean she’s trying to lose weight so maybe the ring got too small,” one person wrote. Another said: “She just wore this to Essencefest.”
But in October, Williams fueled the rumors herself after posting a cryptic message on X just weeks before her anniversary.
“I don’t know who needs to hear this (maybe no one), but if someone, even someone close to you, robs you of joy, you can walk away,” she wrote.
The message began a war of responses about what ought to be tolerated in marriage.
“If that person close to you is your spouse, try to work it out instead of leaving because there is no such thing as a perfect marriage,” says one of them. he replied.
Another X user he replied“If your spouse robs you of joy, do you may have anything to work on? This is not an imperfect marriage, it’s hell.
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