Hollywood Celebrities: Alleged Attack and Bribery

In law it is said that “He who represents himself has a fool for a client.” One can argue that he or she who is represented by high-price criminal lawyers have fooled themselves into thinking their lawyers will also defend their brand and reputation.

Actors and celebrities’ lives are constantly under the spotlight:social media, television, film, or theatre – and yes, their personal lives. Some are applauded for their good deeds helping the lives of those in their communities and around the world. However, there are others whose actions raise questions of feigning victimization and criminal misconduct.

Reports of a black man who was allegedly physically attacked on the basis of his race brings to mind a black woman’s accusations of rape charging a university some years back. Many in the media and others wrongly saw the accused white men as “guilty until proven innocent.” Never mind the school, never mind the woman. She reportedly lied.

Victims of sexual harassment and attacks, men and women, have cried out for help but are rarely heard. Women’s movements have supported efforts to give a voice to silenced voices. Several celebrities, on the other hand, have been heard. It appears that unlike other industries, the acting business affords one the best legal representation and a voice, irrespective of being a talented actor, black or white.

The black man’s alleged attack ironically comes at a time when the film industry has been criticized for not being “diverse.” You need to ask yourself what other industries are calling for “diversity” and “equality” while at the same time manipulating the systems that hinder these two ideals. Consider reports of university admission bribes made by two women actors among others.

STOP. Let’s not kid ourselves- bribes, favoritism, nepotism, and racism go back centuries. Yet, the alleged bribes made by said women gives a new take to the phrase “sins of the father” making it “sins of the mother.”

Lastly, it needs to be noted that unlike the black man who may have “cried wolf”, some of these women reportedly admitted to the bribes. Moreover, neither woman was seen with supporters trailing them.

Did the alleged black victims “cry wolf” and put a dark shadow on the great black men and women we honor and their unforgettable lived experiences? I think not. False criminal charges against the black community are inherent to America’s justice system. However, one can imagine some shedding tears. Why? We can contemplate two grim possible circumstances:

Either the alleged victim speaks the truth in which case two black men reportedly attacked him committing what some call a “Black on Black” crime OR, the alleged victim lied and “cried wolf” reportedly contracting said black men to stage an attack. Consequently, the man who “cried wolf” may have been sadly desperate for attention, whatever the pain to his people.

James Baldwin, the writer, is someone who is said to have understood the pain endured by the black community, taking part in civil rights activism. Baldwin’s semi-autobiographical novel, “Go Tell It On the Mountain” speaks of racial injustice and sexual orientation. It can be argued that he bravely wrote about his experiences without the need for fabrications.

Members of the black community are said to struggle for opportunities. Adding to the problem, society conveniently sees economic disparity as a matter of “winners and losers.” But it doesn’t take an academic degree to understand that the game is rigged resulting in winners largely being the wealthy and influential.

Did the mothers who reportedly bribed the universities understand that the one thing that may give those struggling for an opportunity to compete, a university degree, was blatantly squashed by their actions?

Somehow the idea of the “punishment fitting the crime” does not seem just. How does one reconcile criminal “white collar” mendacity of little to no prison time with “blue collar” crimes with life time or death sentences?

If economic opportunity is off the table, then Congress and the Judicial System need to revisit policies and laws that govern bail amounts and “plea deals.” Right, taking these actions would mean financing one’s reelection would be in jeopardy as I’m sure the lobbyists for the Prison Industrial Complex have made it clear. This clearly illustrates the dysfunction and corruption in U.S. politics.

Baldwin too looked for opportunity, but unlike those who have reportedly feigned victimization, his writings speak of facing racial injustice in America feeling forced to leave it. Imagine the courage to leave your country, find a new home, learn a new language and meet new friends. It seems only refugees and immigrants can understand.

The two stories of alleged attack and university admission bribes brings attention to celebrities and how their wealth and influence not only manipulates the industry they dominate but other industries.

Are the women and men who reportedly made bribes and false charges “speaking truth to power”? Will they climb “the mountaintop” and see ‘the promised land” Martin L. King, Jr. spoke of? I’m not sure, but some need not climb when they can easily buy their way to the top. Perhaps, but they’ll likely find themselves alone at the top.

Sadly, it appears the courts and some members of the black community forgot to “Speak truth to power” and found it more convenient to drop “the whole story.” On what basis was that decision made? In an industry where celebrities and actors’ actions are not so easily forgotten, “justice” may well be served in the court of public opinion if not the court of law.

The law states, “Innocent until prevent guilty.” Let’s not forget. 

King inspired us with his “I Have a Dream” speech. Let’s never forget.

Baldwin, “All artists, if they are to survive, are forced…to tell the whole story…” Some forgot.

Lesson for those who resort to “crying wolf” and bribes, sooner or later, the beast will be coming for you and we will not listen to your cries, leaving you to the wolves.