Birds of a Feather

It seems that Tyrese Gibson  and Terrance Howard are offering their support to Chris Brown in the aftermath of Brown’s despicable behavior. Not surprising since both men have their own history of abusing women. Tyrese takes the cake– he punched his pregnant girlfriend in the face. What made both men decide it was smart to stand up with Chris Brown? I’m sure it has a lot more to do with their own personal demons. If both men can justify the need to support Brown, perhaps they can somehow justify their own actions. If anything, these men should be advocating support for Rihanna. After all, she, like their wives and girlfriends, is the one who had her face bashed in by a man she was powerless to protect herself against. It seems that batterers, like thieves, have honor amongst themselves. Sadly, these gentleman highlight another problem. Like Rihanna, the partners chose to stay with their abusers.

The Story Behind the Words

29 Chicago Public School (CPS) children have been killed so far this academic year. We read the news and we shake our heads at the distressing news. But newspaper print won’t tell you what’s going on with the families of these precious children. A wonderfully written article can’t convey the paralyzing grief. The 9 o’clock news cannot explain the heartache. The emptiness. What happens to those whose lives will forever be changed by the tragic, senseless, and sudden loss of a loved one?

Somewhere, as we read the news, a young girl will make her way to the store. She’ll purchase stockings to wear to her brother’s funeral. All the while, she’ll try to convince herself she’s dreaming, that she’ll wake up and it will all be a nightmare. Her brother will call. She’s attended 3 funerals in the past month…not sure if she’ll make it through this one. She’ll go home, look at her infant son and realize that her son will never meet his uncle. This isn’t happening, he’ll call. Years later, she’ll attend her college graduation with a bittersweet heart–he’s not there to share her joy. Birthdays are hard because they’re twins. As much as they hassled each other about having to share a birthday, she’d give anything to fight over separate cakes again. Bouts of depression are cyclical. She’ll learn to recognize when they’re coming. Keep herself occupied on Oct. 22nd. Anniversary too hard to face. She’ll begin to wonder if anyone ever really heals after such a loss and every day, she’ll read the papers, hear news of another young person killed and I’ll wonder… what’s the story behind the words? Read more »

I Don’t Do Monologues

I don’t do monologues

When given the option to choose

I opt not to be Read more »