Black Children Are For Life, Not Bored Celebrities
Madonna's scandalous attempts to bag herself another Malawian trophy child gives a new meaning to her long-held 'Material Girl' nickname.
I once applauded the former queen of sex and scandal for cleaning up her life in recent years. But now, in trying to bypass native laws so she can snatch little Mercy James from culturally familiar surroundings, she's plunged to new lows. I thought she'd stopped, having 'adopted' young David Banda from Malawi a few years back.
Are we back to the days when Black people are regarded as exotic trinkets to be owned by the rich and powerful? I thought Lincoln and Wilberforce stopped all that malarkey.
And don't give me any flannel about Madonna offering a home to poor children.
Isn't it interesting that she doesn't try to claim malnourished kids with swollen stomachs but cute and healthy ones. If rich White folks really want to help Africa's poor, why not invest in its infrastructure rather than just cruising the orphanages looking for the cutest kids to take home.
Oh but Madonna does charity work out there, you may say. But that is inconsistent with her unwillingness to heed the court's ruling preventing her from 'adopting' Mercy. Now it seems her charity is just an attempt to sweeten the pot so she can get her way. What consideration has she given to Mercy's relatives who want to take care of the girl themselves?
And what sort of cultural input can Madonna give these kids? She couldn't do much for a Black child from a western country, let alone Africa.
But Madonna isn't the only one. Why are celebrities turning to the developing world to find children to adopt? Is this the new trade in human flesh? The 21st century's answer to the Gold Rush? No longer content with fringe religions and cosmetic surgery, celebs have a new fad to indulge themselves.
Hey Madonna, why don't you go home to your recording studio and leave these little Black angels alone? On second thought, why not just go home - I don't think I can stomach to hear your whiney voice on another track.
Do you think I am being unnecessarily harsh or just telling it like it is?
Once you've dropped me a line, you can visit me at www.GMAgency.co.uk.
Cruise on by!
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Veron Graham - telling it like it is.
Yes yes yes. I fully agree. Bout time someone told it like it is about that Madonna.keep it up, Mark
Yes. What exactly is her problem? Madonna at the end of the day is a white woman from America with a very busy schedule and no real links to Africa. If she didn't have money or fame there would be no chance of her getting to adopt another African child.
H
Any child is for life. Colour should not be an issue
I agree with you Hyacinth & strongly disagree with you Claudette.
Colour is an issue, in this case, not just black or white but green (meaning money too).
I would be interested to know why you say colour shouldn't be an issue, Claudette.
What about the cultural framework this young girl is going to grow up in? Isn't that important?
Veron
Where are the posts Veron? If i have to look at the phrase "black children are for life" one more time when i come here i think i'll scream!:-)
So sorry Gemma.
The software has been letting me down lately.
I've tried to get it sorted but without success.
OK, let's try a little experiment.
What issue would you like me to sound off on?
Veron
I'd like to hear your thoughts on this please: Every year my son's school has a day where they dress up as a character from a film. Now, my son worships and adores Will Smith. He loves his music, he loves Men in Black and Independance Day and The Fresh Prince of Bell Air. He knows the lyrics to lots of his songs. He just thinks he's amazing.
Not surprinsingly, at the last dress up day, my son wanted to go as Will Smith.. now here's the rub. My son is white. He was planning his outfit to go as one of the Men in Black.. black suit and tie, white shirt, sun glasses etc, which was fine but he wanted to use face paints or shoe polish to colour his skin. I can't stress enough how innocently was his thinking behind this. He was genuinely trying to look as much like Will Smith as he could.
I didn't let him colour his skin - I can't even give a definite reason why. It just felt innappropriate.
Now, I appreciate that this isn't a national issue, but I often read your blog as a black opinion writer, and as such would value, your, well, opinion.
Was I right to stop him from colouring his skin for fancy dress or do you think stifling replication of one of his idols because of my own issues was wrong? What should I do next time fancy dress day comes round?
And don't hold back, Veron! If I'm being an old fashioned, politically correct fuddy duddy please tell me!
Hi anonymous.
I'm flattered that you thought to run this by me.I think what you did was correct but may not have been complete.
A white boy colouring his skin, as innocent and touching as I am sure it is in your son's mind, could easily be seen as offensive to others.
'Blackening up'harks back to a horrible phase in our history that your son is far too young to remember.
As with all of us growing up, he needs to understand the difference between what we intend by our actions and how they may be perceived by others.
Depending on his age, I would explain this to him but not discourage him. It's nice to know that colour isn't a barrier to him. You are to be applauded for that.
Allowing him to colour his face could have forced him into a nasty situation with someone who took offence.
So no, I don't think you are a fuddy duddy, just a concerned mum who's doing the best for her child, while having great taste in blog reading!
What do you think of that?
Also, speaking of thoughts, as a frequent reader of my blog, what do you think of me? Am I a harsh, miserable so and so, or someone who's opinions you often agree with?
Much blessing,
Veron Graham
The Grahamedia Agency
www.GMAgency.co.uk
Thanks for that response - it is good and valued advice indeed.
I dip in and out of your blog as often as I have chance, I do not think you're harsh and miserable! Whatever would make you think that!
Even when I don't agree with you, I don't think you're being harsh, it is just a difference of opinion.
I think you put your point across well - as a rule I think that everyone is entitled to their say, and if you are articulate then people will enjoy reading your thoughts.
Your opinion is as valid as anyone else's and I enjoy reading them as often as I am able.
The only thing I would say is it would be nice if you wrote more often.
Cheers Veron!
x
Where are your posts veron? I would like to hear your view on the BNP on question time.