While his skills on the court make him a shoe in for the Hall of Fame, I have a huge disdain for Kobe (way down deep in my bones) on a personal level that has nothing to do with his game. Ever since the Lakers shipped Vlade Divac to the Charlotte Hornets for Kobe’s drafts rights in 96’, he has displayed an extreme egotism that has alienated would be supporters and hosts of teammates over the years. Kobe’s early years were blemished by a selfish need to be “The Man.”

Like many couples in denial, Chris Brown and Rihanna are accustomed to dysfunction. Violence, drama, and disrespect are so woven into the fabric of their bond turmoil has become normal functioning. To them, the absurd seems normal and the normal; absurd.

To parallel Obama’s intricate policies and a monkey running the streets is less than unacceptable. It seems as if a black person in the U.S. cannot rise to a position of power without some major form of belittlement – whether it’s being the head cook in the high school cafeteria or the undisputed heavyweight champ.

Sadly, it’s a wrap for Chris Brown. Even if the allegations prove to be false, the damage is done. He has already lost endorsements (Wrigley’s Gum and the Got Milk? campaign) and is losing a heated battle in the court of public opinion. There are old school rules. Hitting women, or the implication that you may have, puts you on the wrong side of the law.

Lil Wayne’s statement about altering his name– to disconnect from the legacy of his father– had the resonance of a Langston Hughes poem. Who’s name is James, but used Langston to separate from his father. Lil Wayne is obviously in a bit of pain. Not sure who is the blacksmith of his shackles, but as it’s always been, he’s using music to break free.

Got a Negro? Blackness has now become the new mainstream accessory; kinda like a trendy hand bag that loses it luster after a few nights on the town. Picking Steele as GOP Chairman clearly shows the Republican Party has been hitting the political crack pipe worst than Chris Rock in the movie New Jack City.