Love In The Age Of Hate

via The Beautiful Struggler - Me, Myself and Eye

Ok, before I get in to today's blog, I HAVE to post this picture. Someone uploaded some old staff pics from my college radio station. Here is the photo that promoted the show I had when I was a freshman, "Soul Eclectic 101" (BWAHAHAHA at my Love Jones-edness):

And this is how I look now (yes, I know I posted this picture yesterday, whatever):

People, this isn't about fat-shaming or bragging. This is about me really being like WHO KNEW I looked like Ugly Betty when I came to college and why didn't anyone tell me? Now I know why I was so tragically single! Damn and shame! And of course, I do have to mention my pride in the hard work and dedication that took me from that lil' chubby thang to the big, fine woman I am today. That and an understanding of the value of eyebrow arching. NEVER WOULD'VE MADE IT! MESSAGE!

On with the program. Obvi that I am a big social networking gal: I blog, I Tweet, I Facebook. I love the ways that the net has given us to connect, discuss, spread information. Connect, politic, ditto, if you will. But like most of us, however, I see some downsides. Given that there seems to be this unfortunate sentiment amongst "the Hip-Hop Generation" (for lack of a better name) that hating and being cynical about damn near everything is okay, it's no real surprise that the interwebs has become a breeding ground for just going in on folks. The anonymity of the net lends itself to a non-stop passing judgement party and there's a lot of ill group think going on.

Case in point:

I know I was one of a minority of people who not so much defended Chris Brown, but tried to call both responsible parties to the carpet and examine the culture that has allowed woman on male violence to be allowed, if not celebrated. I will admit that I found a few of Brown's post-fight actions to be questionable to say the least (the infamous jet-ski pics, the ill-advised "I'm not a monster" video, etc.), no denying that. However, I feel that the overwhelming negative internet response to the apology was moreso a need for folks to be in agreeance with others than a true outcry of anger. Or rather, an opportunity for folks to flex their comedic muscles rather than to examine the young man's words and judge accordingly.

Under normal circumstances, yes, that is a piss-on-myself-laughing shirt, clearly. But that is not the point here. I'm not saying everyone should be as hopeful that Chris was coming from an honest place as I was. Undoubtedly, some folks just ain't buying it. However, I just don't really know why so many people are loath to believe that people can change or at least want to. Would we prefer that Brown stayed silent forever about the matter? A lot of time HAS passed, but we have to acknowledge that public figures are often gagged by lawyers and PR folks...and that those folks don't always know how best to do their job.

The cynicism I saw all about the net about the sincerity of Brown's words just made me feel sad. I hope that we aren't so jaded and judgemental that we won't even allow folks the opportunity to try and do better. And I also feel that if some of the loudest, most popular figures in the 'blogosphere' had voiced their support for Brown, more people would have followed suit. Group think is as troubling here as usual. But whether it's collective or individual thought, I just want to see people open their hearts a bit more and stop being so damn harsh. I don't know if I'm getting soft in my old age, but I am really needing to believe in humanity right now. Don't get me wrong, if C.Brown puts his hands on another woman, I will be the first one ready to see him locked under the jail. But until then, let's believe in the possibilities of change.

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