Evening Sweeties

I grew up in the 80’s and am not afraid to say it! I loved it! Legwarmers, side ponytails, Adidas, and Madonna.

If I were to make a mix tape of  my life  back then there would be several Madonna tracks. I used to cry myself to sleep to “Live to Tell” and daydream of a hot Latin boy name Jorge  when dancing to “La Isla Bonita!” 

Don’t get me wrong I give Madonna a lot of credit for setting fashion and musical trends (even though most of us know she total jacked her dance moves from her gay friends in New York City). Be that as it may she has made an incredible name for herself in the history of pop culture. I will give the woman that credit.

Humanitarian? Social Advocate? Philanthropist ?I most certainly don’t think so.   Madonna is a desperate former pop-singer struggling to hold onto her youth and straining to be in the spotlight at every chance she gets.

I didn’t bat an eyelash when she tried to stir up the pot with her lame attempts to become recognized as a true Jew dressing up for Purim every year (most of my Jewish friends find it hysterical),her flings with A-Rod and boy toy Jesus , the list goes on. At the end of the day she’s trying to stretch out her relevance like the skin on her face.

What is relevant are  those innocent children that didn’t ask to be a part of the circus that is her life. It’s one thing to involve the children that passed through the  deep trenches of her womb but to ADOPT a child that is whole can of worms

Based on her calculating and cunning publicity driven actions I have reservations that her adoption of her African son David was purely out of “falling in love” with him at the orphanage. She knew it would get her the much needed press and attention that she deeply craves. It is has been confirmed by the BBC that the “singer” is going to adopt (or buy) herself another baby to one up Angie and Brad.

This 50 year old Material Momma has filled out the paper work to get herself a 14-month old baby girl add to her collection. 

An official at the Malawian department of women and child welfare told the BBC’s Raphael Tenthani that the pop star had already filed adoption papers and her case could be heard as early as next week.(BBC News Online)

Your first instinctive reaction might be “What’s wrong with that? Africans are poor, starving and dying of AIDS! Why are you criticizing her for saving a couple of African kids?”

 When people visualize Africa they think of Starvin’ Marvin types walking around the desert with distended stomachs and flies in their eyes. The stereotypes have not changed in the slightest since  post-colonial days to the present. It’s unfortunate because Africa is a beautiful and amazing continent that is massive and continues to provide the world with its natural resources in order to sustain the superpowers of the world. When most people in (the West especially) think of Africa they assume it is a country (as ignorant and painful as it for me to write that it is sadly the truth). Don’t get me wrong Africa has got some major problems but what continent that has been raped, pilaged and squeezed of it’s natural resources to make the world go round hasn’t got  issues? For those who have no idea: trust me Africa is NOTHING like it is portrayed in the media.

A sneak peek at some beautiful scenery in South Africa

Is the perception of the  United States of  the ghettos in South side Chicago or the crystalmeth riddled streets of the  Midwest? We all know the answer is NO. Big ,beautiful  productive cities like New York and LA are the visuals that we see portrayed in movies most of the time. I’m in no way , shape, or form discounting or disregarding the fact that HIV infection rates and poverty is an epidemic in  some African countries. A continent that is the second largest and second most populous with a billion people and 61 territories ,combined with its history in conjunction to the world will face some major issues. 

Madonna recently made a documentary I am Because We Are. It’s an hour and a half of the egocentric Madonna weighing in her concern over the outbreak of oprhaned children in Malawi because of the AIDS epidemic. This documentary was painful to watch not necessarily because of the content but more because it was all about Madonna providing justification for wanting to scoop of some more Malawi kiddies. AIDS is a global issue that is not going to go away or improve with documentaries and on-line foundations collecting spare change. 

 The UK charity Save the Children issued a statement in response to Madonna’s intention to adopt yet again. Spokesperson Dominic Nutt said: “The best place for a child is in his or her family in their home community. Most children in orphanages have one parent still living, or have an extended family that can care for them in the absence of their parents.” I totally agree!  

A couple days ago I read a ridiculous and borderline racist statement on Twitter from a blogger from the Huffington Post in response to the breaking news of the Madonna’s plan to adopt.

“At least living in Madonna’s house will be so much better than living in Africa!”

I vehemently disagree with that statement on many levels. The most important one being that the image Madonna has created  seems to be one that is not suited to be a parent ( in my opinion) . I rather have NO parents at all than a loony tunes mama who loves to be in the limelight no matter what the cost. I know plenty of people who grew up in Africa without parental units and  are some of the most wonderful, educated, beautiful people I have ever met. The issue of international adoption is not completely as cut and dry as it may seem. At least David will have a sister to hide in the closet with when Madonna goes crazy in the mansion.

That’s all she wrote for tonight kids.

Night Night