B.E.T Puts Ban on Ciara’s “Ride” and Teairra Marie’s “Sponsor”

Recent controversy has stirred everyone in the recent months as B.E.T announced in February that singer Teairra Mari’s video for “Sponsor” will not be receiving any kind of video rotation because of the lyrical content of the song, in which creates a negative message to women for encouraging, essentially exchanged sex for money and gifts. In my opinion, the song is lyrically playful and silly; it’s a nice sing along. And I don’t believe that Teairra Mari is consciously promoting her audience to be a gold-digger. And then, it dawned on me. Since when did B.E.T develop a consciousness about the content and messages that their programming promotes? If they're so worried about glamorizing sex, they should of thought about that years ago when artists like the Ying Yang Twins released “The Whisper Song“ or Nelly‘s “Tip Drill“ (by the way, thank God Uncut was scrapped from the roster. You could see the uncensored version of all those videos). Last time I checked, Trey Songz’s video for “I Invented Sex” and most recently “Neighbors Know My Name,” was considered soft porn and contained very racy lyrics as he bragged about his condom size and being able to satisfy his woman‘s sexual appetite so effectively, she screams out to where the neighbors can hear what’s going on. yet it still receive heavy rotation on B.E.T especially on 106 & Park, where all the young kids are tuned in. It’s a contradiction to play songs that speak of male dominance in a sexually explicit manner, and only to ostracize women for trying to be more risqué as a way to liberate themselves. Now, Ciara’s “Ride” is a bittersweet pill to swallow: with the constant gyrating choreography and subtle sensual lyrics or “riding the d,” it’s easy to understand why the video could be banned but, in defense for Ciara, sex is becoming more mainstream in our society. And it use to be something so private, but now it's so open amongst us, you can't help but notice it. Kids these days have probably seen something way worse than booty poppin’ celebrities, but that‘s another story. No matter who comes along, the need for strong sexual themes involving erotic choreography and racy behavior in attempt to push the envelop will only result in hypocoristic critic. The bottom line is sexism still exists, even amongst the top rated entertainers of our generation. It serves as a double standard and I think it’s extremely unprofessional that B.E.T has decided to ban Ciara's music video for “Ride” as they attempt to clean up their image. B.E.T. is really losing it…

The Key to a Guarded Heart

When it comes to revealing the authenticity of my heart, I tend to become very precautious when approaching and or dealing with a new love interest because of the past pain I endured when I gambled in the game of love. Being mislead around in rotation of love’s dark handed deal caused me to become a victim of a fatal, but willing game we all must give in sooner or later. This is what superstar Beyoncé’s song “Halo” is all about: capitulating your heart to someone who has loved you so effectively, it causes you to dismantle your heart’s security system in order to be surrounded by a warm embrace. However, pain seems inevitable in the path of love. When you feel like you’ve been hurt, your jubilant emotions withdraw, causing you to live in reclusion, suspicion, and pain. Soon thereafter, you’ve distanced yourself away from dating, have developed a cold heart that clings onto the hurt from the past, and have become that stereotypical personality that consist of a pessimistic view on everyone’s love life. Creating this internal behavior can wear down in due time only if you choose to allow it down (“a soft word will ease even the firmest of hearts“). Besides, if the outsider’s who are attempting to vie for your affection must care, so what’s the use in being selfish? Being guarded hurts everyone around you, Do you really wanna build a wall that’s so high up that can’t even climb over to see the other side? I suggest you stop at waist level, so you can at least hop over. They to entering a guarded heart is like the Knight of Camelot: only the chosen one who is noble enough can pull the sword out of the stone. This can take patience, self-reflection and real love. There is no special code to onlook the system, ’cause once you fall you just fall…