1. There’s absolutely no rhyme or reason to the way I react when hearing about a person dying. None whatsoever. It’s completely unpredictable, completely arbitrary, and completely dependent on… whatever the hell it’s dependent on. I have absolutely no clue, and I’ve stopped trying to figure it out. There have been times when a one paragraph long news story about some random area murder induced tears and haunted me for weeks, and other times when family members have passed and the only time I got worked up was when I forced myself to get worked up because I felt bad that I hadn’t.
This “reaction unpredictability” extends to celebrities as well. I felt nothing when Michael Jackson — a person who I was a huge fan of — died, but the deaths of Amy Winehouse — a person I was “eh” about — and Patrice O’Neal still resonate with me. I still can’t listen to “Rehab” or watch “Elephant in The Room” without getting chills.
Knowing how unpredictable I can be about this should make me immune to surprise. I mean, If I’m capable of any reaction, there shouldn’t be a reaction that surprises me. Despite this, I was (and still am) surprised at how affected I was by the news of Whitney Houston’s death (When first clicking the TMZ link to the news of her death, I literally stared at my monitor with my mouth agape for two minutes and could see my heart beating through my shirt) and how interested I was in the goings-on (and the public’s feelings about the goings-on) of her funeral.
Although I wasn’t able to catch the first hour and a half or so (I started watching when Stevie Wonder was singing), I sat there captivated like I was watching the 4th quarter of game seven of the NBA finals. And, as if this captivation wasn’t enough, I logged on to Twitter and Facebook to basically give myself a sensory overload.
I don’t know what any of this means, or why I even felt the need to share it. I don’t know. I do know that it’s been (over) a week and I’m still surprised that I still don’t feel any different.
2. There have been myriad different accounts of the events that led to Bobby Brown leaving (or getting kicked out of) Whitney’s funeral, so I won’t go into any of them. I will say, though, that I feel worse for him than for anyone else who was in Whitney’s life. Losing your ex-wife (a woman I’m sure he still loved and may have still been in love with) is bad enough, but being the popular scapegoat for the decades-long spiral leading to her early death has to be a bitch of a burden to carry. History will not look kindly on him. Regardless of what he does for the rest of his life, his primary legacy will be that he, to put it bluntly, killed Whitney Houston.
Now, whether this legacy is actually fair is another question. We assume that Bobby was the bad influence, but while Whitney was America’s Sweetheart, she wasn’t exactly an angel herself. Also, as influential as Clive Davis was reported to be in her life, who’s to say that he didn’t have a hand in her downfall?
Obviously, this is all speculation. None of us know exactly what led to Whitney’s substance abuse problems. And, since none of us know, perhaps we should place a collective moratorium on “Blame Bobby.”
3. I happened to be at my parent’s house when the funeral was being aired. When R.Kelly came to the podium, all three of us said “Wait. Is that R.Kelly???” at the exact same time. No bullsh*t.
And (in my best Forrest Gump voice), “That’s all I’m going to say about that.”
4. I know many people had an issue with some of the “So, America, make sure you’re recording so you can see how these exotic-ass Negros celebrate the dead” -ey comments from some of the non-black members of the news media covering the event. In particular, Piers Morgan sounded like he was covering at an event at Jurassic Park.
I didn’t have a problem with this, though. I mean, aside from random Nike commercials and Tyler Perry movies (which white people don’t watch anyway), this probably was the first time many of them had seen a homegoing at a black baptist church, and I think most of the non-white reporters found the proper mix of reverence, respect, and curiosity.
Also, aside from the celebrities involved, Whitney’s ceremony wasn’t all that atypical. Seriously, if you substituted “random white co-worker who seems out of place but makes up for it with a poignant speech” for “Kevin Costner,” “aunt who does her thing on the organ even though she tends to forget words to certain songs” for “Stevie Wonder,” and “neighborhood family who no one wants to fight because there’s like 25737848 of those motherf*ckers and you know if you fight one, you’ll have to fight them all” for “The Winans,” this funeral was probably exactly like any other baptist funeral any one reading this has ever been to.
5. I’m not sure if the fact that I simultaneously ”experienced” the funeral with over a thousand others on Twitter — all with their own running commentary about the event — was a good or a bad thing. Actually, I’m pretty certain it’s neither. It’s not disrespectful or distant or progressive or indicative of anything, either. It just is. That’s just the way we deal with things today. While other generations had their own forms of collective consumption, we just do it in real time.
6. So, ever since a certain post I wrote a few weeks ago, I’ve been more willing to let certain people take a look at articles I write before I submit them, just in case they pick up on something that I may have missed. Don’t fret. You’re not going to get a neutered Champ or anything. This is something I’ve always done. Just do it a little more often now.
Anyway, last Friday, I let one of these friends see an article I wrote for Ebony about Chris Brown. That article contained a somewhat off-color joke about Tyler Perry. Her response:
“I dont usually discourage Tyler Perry jabs, but this m**therf**er just flew Whitney Houston’s body to her family in his private jet. HE ALWAYS DOES THIS SH*T. Like, whenever I want to take a shot at him, he adopts some orphan or saves a kitten or some sh*t and makes me feel bad afterwards. Anyway, you should probably leave that out.”
I (reluctantly) listened.
—Damon Young (aka “The Champ”)
***Oh, check out the Chris Brown piece I just referenced — “The (Biggest) Problem with Chris Brown isn’t Chris Brown” — if you get a chance. (#teambreezy, beware)***
WAIT SO YOU NOT GONNA SAY NOTHING ABOUT ALICIA KEYS!?!??!!?
The struggle. I blame it on the grief…that’s the only explanation I have for those notes.
I’m gonna say it’s grief, too. She was clearly nervous, and, well, mourning. Same thing with Mariah Carey when she sang for MJ. Clearly broken up. I felt awful for them both.
Pretty much. She was obviously crying RIGHT before she got onstage to perform (and was still wiping tears and trying to compose herself once she sat at the piano) so I can’t really knock her here…
i didn’t see her sing, but i take it she didn’t exactly turn in a grammy-worthy performance?
It was much like any baptist funeral I’d ever attended. I wasn’t upset to hear of Whitney’s death. I was moved to tears during the service as if I really knew the person departed.
I was watching and g-chatting with one of my homegirls. Guiltily, we got all Statler and Waldorf when Alicia Keys and RKelly did their thing. You know what they say, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, come sit next to me…”
Props for the Muppets reference.
I missed most of it because I was at work. But the end where they carried out her casket to I Will Always Love You was so touching. Also, Kevin Costner looks really good for his age.
100% agree. I was able to keep it together from the time I heard of her passing all the way up until they played that song as they were rolling her casket down the aisle….my aunt cracked a joke and that killed the moment for me so I was able to get it under control before it spiraled into a Wanda from Good Times type of cry.
“But the end where they carried out her casket to I Will Always Love You was so touching.”
yeah. it was. i can’t lie, my eyes got a little, um, “irritated” during that part
when they started THE song?
yeah…that was the equivalent of Paris speaking at MJ’s service.
EXACTLY!!!
” But the end where they carried out her casket to I Will Always Love You was so touching. ”
I was crying right after Ray J stood up, touched the casket and broke down in his seat.
I’m pretty sure every viewer watching it at that moment felt the reality of it all then.
Her death stunned me more than MJ no doubt. We honestly don’t know what happened between she and Bobby. All I can say is I wish he would have stayed to support his daugter. Nothing else was more important that day than to support her as she said goodbye to her mother.
“All I can say is I wish he would have stayed to support his daughter.”
i’m sure both parties feel like that could have been handled differently
Bobby was in between a rock and a hard place. He and his children kept being asked to move, then they were asked to leave. He had to comfort his children. Bobby Jr. was crying, and LaPrincia and Landon were with him upset. They were Whitney’s stepchildren. Security could have told them where they could seat if they were not allowed to sit with family. Bobby couldn’t get to Bobbi Kristina because of security.
After security told them to move, security told them to leave.
I feel the same way, except for being surprised about R. Kelly being there. I learned from the Oprah Winfrey 2009 interview that he wrote “I Turn To You” for Whitney 10 or 15 years prior. So, it made sense to me that he was there and that he sung that song. You didn’t mention the controversy over Gov. Christie flying flags at half-staff; I got into a somewhat healthy online debate with someone about that. I was actually touched by his decision to do that; certainly didn’t expect him too, especially since he’s a Republican.
christie’s republican, but he seems a bit more “real” than others in his party. reminds me of what tony soprano would be if he wasn’t a mobster
This sh*t right here ninja…Am I the only one who thought Bebe Winans speech was…i don’t know how to describe it so ima just say off.
lol, i actually thought it worked. was over the top, but kind of needed to be
I blamed it on the grief. It looked like BeBe had been crying and forgot what he prepared to say and just spoke from the heart.
I didn’t mind what he said so much…I got the feeling that might have been a “real Whitney” moment that he shared. Or maybe it’s because a few people shared thoughts like those at my grandmother’s funeral, and I thought it was the best part, because they were sharing things that showed who she really was, which I think was much better than empty platitudes spoken by people who really didn’t know her.
I didn’t have it in me to watch Whitney’s funeral. But I feel so sorry for Bobby Brown, he got played. From what I understand was, he was told he could bring his current wife and all 8 of his other children. The ushers then paraded all of them down the main aisle of the church, where he was told there were only 3 seats. He was going to tell his kids to sit in the back and just sit with his wife, but ‘someone’ made a big commotion so he kissed Bobbi Kristina, Whitney’s casket, and left.
Also, did you see people posting pics of themselves on twitter watching Whitney’s funeral? Folks were dressed up like they were there – hats, black veils, dresses, etc
Whoa I posted that I felt like I needed a church suit on while watching the service and cosigned with someone else who felt the same way. But I had no idea people were actually putting on the outfits and sitting in front of the TV in their church clothes…wow
I only caught the last few hours of the funeral and commentary but seeing you alls comments i had to look up this “people dressing up for the funeral” b/c like you i did not see that …i looked though and found these …dont know what to say
http://lockerz.com/s/185376395
https://twitter.com/#!/AllureToLoyalty/status/171348330868260864/photo/1
https://twitter.com/#!/WhitsAllSmil3s/status/170907857917710336/photo/1
https://twitter.com/#!/Heath252/status/170981183335833600/photo/1
Well I’ll be…
Umm…don’t get it twisted. Sick and shut-in elders have been getting dressed to “hear the word” at home…like forever. But dude with the beer? Knock it off. lol
See I heard a different version. I heard that he was invited plus two guests but he brought 10. That just sounds like a Bobby move to me.
I showed my grandmother the picture of that lady watching the funeral all dressed up, complete w/ hat and she asked if that was my mother -_-
Also, did you see people posting pics of themselves on twitter watching Whitney’s funeral? Folks were dressed up like they were there – hats, black veils, dresses, etc
that’s interesting that you mention that, because i remember there was a point during the ceremony when bebe winans said the lord’s prayer, and i was wondering if i should bow my head or keep watching tv
Yes…I almost started to bow my head
Two thoughts about the funeral:
1) Why…mainstream media kept referring to Bobby’s kids as his “entourage”. Really white people???? They didn’t even bother to pretend like they wanted to know who Bobby came with….instead, they treated him like he was rolling to the club, hangers-on in tow.
2) Bobby had seating issues, but R Kelly got invited….again, really????
Yeah. The R Kelly invite is a mystery. Who would invite him anywhere?
They were probably friends. He wrote that song “I Look To You” for her.
Miss Cissy, Whitney’s mama.
If the celebs represent various funeral attendees, R. Kelly is definitely the retarded cousin that everyone pretends is normal because everybody knows that sending kids to therapy is a “white thing.”
+1
Lmao!!
Preach Sister Royale! Let the LORD use ya!
You make no sense whatsoever. The celebrities that attended had a relationship with Whitney. That’s all.
You got my girls and I cracking up at this…..
Super funny!
1) Why…mainstream media kept referring to Bobby’s kids as his “entourage”. Really white people???? They didn’t even bother to pretend like they wanted to know who Bobby came with….instead, they treated him like he was rolling to the club, hangers-on in tow.
you know what? it wasn’t even until i read the comments today that i found out that his “entourage” was just his kids
I don’t understand why people keep trying to draw a connection between R. Kelly’s attendance to Bobby Brown’s sudden dismiss. They have nothing to do with each other. R. Kelly was invited by Cissy Houston – Whitney’s mother. Bobby had issues because the Houston’s don’t like him. Case closed.
I guess I P Freely didn’t give Miss Cissy pause….perhaps she gave a pass to pedophilia for a day. SMH.
Whitney’s death really hit me hard. I didn’t really have a reaction when MJ died and I loved his music, but for some reason I cried a lot when I found out about Whitney. I’ve been glued to the tv, going through her music videos, watched the tributes on tv, and the whole funeral.
I also feel bad for Bobby. He never catches a break and is always painted as the bad guy but from a friend that knows him personally, she said he’s a really nice guy. The media needs to leave these artists alone and let them be.
Same here. Whitney was the first person I remember singing along with. I can’t even believe this is all real. I cried my eyes out like she was a family member and we’ve never met. My heart goes out to Bobbi Kris.
The media needs to leave these artists alone and let them be.
i agree with everything you said, up until this point. if the media just let famous people be, they wouldnt have jobs, and we wouldnt have sh*t to talk about.
“this probably was the first time many of them had seen a homegoing at a black baptist church”
I said the exact same thing to my aunt.
As for Bobby B. I read somewhere that it was to be him plus two guests but he showed up with 10 people. That sounds like a Bobby B. move. I understand that Cissy may have whatever ill feelings toward him but at the end of the day he will always be the father of Whitney’s only child. I think he should’ve been in the first pew with them. I also think this should’ve been the one time that he decided not make waves. Disclaimer: those are my feelings based on what I read. I know that there are always three sides to every story. I don’t doubt for a second that there was a chance that he was the receipient of a lot of shade.
SN: I’m a Chris Brown fan but I recognize that that young man has issues. Having said that I am going to read the article about him. I’m kind of scared of what I might find :-/
*recipient
“SN: I’m a Chris Brown fan but I recognize that that young man has issues. Having said that I am going to read the article about him. I’m kind of scared of what I might find :-/”
lol, i apologize in advance
I read the article, and I think you made some good points. I do believe that people like Chris Brown are lightning rods for both sides….and both sides dig in just to make a point. CB has a lot of issues, but I get why his detractors are so vocal….dude’s trajectory has not yet been low enough. In their eyes, he needs to suffer far more before he can begin any type of redemption. And I don’t really disagree, to a point. That point is mainly where Rhianna’s dumb behind has apparently decided to continue whatever relationship they appear to have. But you know…fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice…
Piers Morgan wasn’t as annoying as Soledad Obrien. She pissed me off when she asked, “So how long does a baptist funeral usually last?” As much as she represents for the black community and her own “blackness,” I was shocked at what she didn’t know. That was not the time to be curious, and I found their commentary quite annoying. Then they called the pulpit a “stage.” Come On Son.
“So how long does a baptist funeral usually last?”
Did she mean it as a rhetorical question? How many roads must a man walk down before he is called a man? How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie pop?
I know she is multiracial (afrolatina mom white dad), #Nothatinjustsaying from a cultural standpoint I don’t see Soledad as black and I’m not talking about her complexion. Maybe it’s her voicetone when she says things and asks questions, but she reminds me of the Dave Chappelle Newscaster or Martin Lawrence Bob from Marketing sketch.
“she reminds me of the Dave Chappelle Newscaster”
*dead* @ that imagery. Okay, I hear you. Her curiosity must have been genuine, then. Unless she’s pulling a Chapelle-Wayne Brady without us realizing it.
Soledad O’Brien is Catholic and may not have honestly known how long such a service would last. I am also Catholic and had the same question at a friend’s mother’s funeral, but I knew better than ask that question out loud. At that particular funeral when I saw FOUR ministers on the alter I knew I was in for a long – and oddly enjoyable – afternoon.
I didn’t like that question the same way I don’t like the whole Black in America series. Why is CNN talking about us like we’re some newly discovered tribe in the Amazon?
When the news reported after the funeral I swear we were on the planet of Pandoara and “they” were commenting on the spiritual nature of Avatars. Smdh
Soledad O’Brien is Black Cuban, meaning she’s likely to have been raised Catholic. Trust me, my dad’s family is Episcopalian (aka Same Great Catholic Taste now Pope Free!), and the only connection between that experience and the Baptists is the use of a Bible and the presence of a cross.
Perhaps now she’ll broadcast “Black in the Church in America.”
Don Lemon, Soledad, and Piers Morgan needed to have several seats.
She pissed me off when she asked, “So how long does a baptist funeral usually last?”
this was definitely a rhetorical question. she was asking just so it would be answered for the people who don’t know
That’s sad, given Soledad O’Brien is a Delta. She has never been to Baptist church services?
I feel like I’m the only one who *always* thought Bobby Brown was a tool. I mean way back in the New Edition days. My friends thought I was crazy for not getting all hot and bothered over him. Anyways, my dislike for him dates way back before he and Whitney got together.
About Whitney…I heard that her image was the product of a lot of very good management…kind of like the Motown formula, where they had a mini finishing school attached to the studio.
For some strange reason, I am still not shocked about Whitney’s death. Very sad, but not shocked. I guess that last time I saw her in public, she didn’t seem to be in very good shape. Maybe those who followed her improvement are more shocked about her death.
About Bobby leaving…I have not heard enough info to feel any kind of way about that. I mean h311, he’s going to be mourning forever outside of the funeral. Besides, about 80% of the people there probably didn’t want to see his face. Kind of makes sense to me.
No, he always seemed kind of slimy to me, too, and quite full of himself. Having Bobby in her life didn’t help things, but still, she chose him.
For some strange reason, I am still not shocked about Whitney’s death.
her death was one of those things where, considering her issues, i shouldn’t have been shocked, but it was still jarring to see “whitney houston found dead” on my screen
I found out about Whitney’s death while in a conversation with a guy friend who was looking something up on his ipad. He received an alert from his NY Times app that made his jaw drop. He stood there in disbelief for like 5 seconds that felt like 30 before he informed me that he had just read that Whitney Houston died. Other than shock and disbelief I don’t think I felt anything particularly special at that moment. But since then I’ve been through a myriad of emotions and finally tonight while watching CNN’s 132nd replay of highlights from the funeral I saw the casket being carried out for at least the 7th time and I cried. Even though Whitney’s been on a downward spiral for what seems like forever I think I took it for granted that she was coming back. And now I know that’s just not going to happen and it hurt. I have no idea why the 7th casket exit viewing got me and not the first. Grief is funny like that. I’ve never been good at feeling what I’m supposed to feel when people expect me to feel it though.
I’ve never been good at feeling what I’m supposed to feel when people expect me to feel it though.
me neither
i had a twitter convo about this – i think we sometimes get caught up in feeling like we have to feel a certain way. which is unfortunate – because we’re all different and are affected by things differently.
i’ve been lucky when it comes to death in my personal life (meaning, haven’t had to attend too many funerals), so can never take a celebs death too personally, but i am a human who can express empathy (or wait….is it sympathy).
i truly cried tears at the tsumani, hurricane katrina, haiti and japan. i wept when paris spoke to her father as it was a reminder that despite everything we thought we knew, all SHE knew is that she just lost a dad. i am sad that in all this, a mom had to bury her daughter and that a teenage girl just lost her mom.
how you grieve/react is just that. you should be made to feel more or less of a person. but sadly…in this day and age of social medias, and to a certain extent in some of the churches in our community – if your grief isn’t loud, it isnt real. (and that needs to change, as it’s probably part of the reason why our community doesn’t deal with with mental health issue).
sorry for the tangents.
Is it wrong to develop a crush on someone during a funeral? Kevin Costner was looking quite good up there with his old self.
I watched the whole thing online and I was wondering what wp were thinking when they started bringing “church”. Especially the 50-11 Winans. I was gone when someone did the church finger walking down the aisle.
Off topic: I keep waiting to see Champ do a post on Jeremy Lin.
“Is it wrong to develop a crush on someone during a funeral?”
there’s a reason why funeral crashers exist
I did watch some of the funeral and was surprised that Whitney’s death affected me the way it has. However, after seeing Wendy Williams’ express her feelings on the matter- how she expected Whitney to be older and finally “healthy”-put it in perspective. Human beings want to see redemption, but particularly when someone has fallen and struggled hard, and made it back on top. I think most of us wanted that for her. I do feel for Bobby. While he has been blamed for her spiral out of control, after watching “Being Bobby Brown” on Bravo back in the day, I believe that she was a flawed human, just like the rest of us, who had demons to fight. And some days she won, others she lost…RIP
Nothing else needs to be written. You said it all.
It doesn’t make sense to blame bobby for whitney’s troubles. If that’s the case, then we should also place blame on people around her who did absolutely nothing to stop her. She, like MJ had enablers surrounding them and we all know that the last thing an addict needs are enablers. I know that he is hurting and people grieve in their own way.
THIS. Every part of THIS.
that’s what she said
LOL…dork.
—When they played I Will Always Love You ….then Ray J touched the casket and broke down…LAWD
–CNN turned into TBN, some people caught the holy ghost via tv
– Jesse Jackson sitting on stage mean muggin’ why?!?!
—Smh at some of the Bobby Blaming..
.at the end of the day people make their OWN decisions, it’s their Prerogative….who knows what really happened. I love Whitney, but every1 has their issues, being able to seperate someone’s personal issues w/out denying their talent>>>>>>>
–Bobby’s 50leven other kids loved Whitney, that says a lot when the step kids love step momma not because she was a celeb, but she treated them with the same love #BeingBobbyBrown & 90s MADTv parodys episodes show her and Bobby passionate/cray cray relationship.
“Jesse Jackson sitting on stage mean muggin’ why?!?!”
Doesn’t he always look like that? He probably makes the same face when he smiles, is surprised, is angry, cries silently, has sex, etc.
He loves some camera time, I know he’s a “rev”, but I just didn’t see the point of him being on the pulpit during Whitney’s funeral.
But seriously…why was Jesse giving THE mean side eye? Did he want his chance to speak as well. Matter fact, why was Jesse up there to begin with?
Jesse gave Tyler Perry the SERIOUS side eye. But yes…generally that’s how Jesse looks. It’s probably his “Serious & Concerned Look #17″ in his public face repertoire.
AL SHARPTON loves camera time. Jesse Jackson atleast pretended to almost pass by CNN walking out. Al Sharpton walked straight to them to make a statement and be interviewed. Becuase OFCOURSE everyone wants to hear from him.
Jesse Jackson sitting on stage mean muggin’ why?!?!
“Ain’t no cute b*tches at a church in Newark? I woke up early for this?”
“Ain’t no cute b*tches at a church in Newark? I woke up early for this?”
ROTFLMAO Aw hell… bury me right along side Whitney. #Dead
AL SHARPTON loves camera time. Jesse Jackson atleast pretended to almost pass by CNN walking out. Al Sharpton walked straight to them to make a statement and be interviewed. Becuase OFCOURSE everyone wants to hear from him.
that was hilarious. used-to-be-big al almost sprinted over there
The only time I saw Jesse smile on that stage is when his eyes averted to a woman’s behind as she walked past him.
Where there is a photo op, there will be Jesse…….
“Doesn’t he always look like that?”
That’s what I was thinking. JJ has a permanent mean mug. he’s not aesthetically pleasing…
He didn’t use to look like that though.
He used to smile when he said up with hope and down with dope.
I’m dead at you making me think about Jesse’s sex faces.
“Jesse Jackson sitting on stage mean muggin’ why?!?!”
something else that crossed my mind: exactly how many relevant/historical events has he had a first row seat to? seriously, this man has seen pretty much everything
Doesn’t that make him a suspect?…IJS
LMFAO!!!
right?? where’s dem folks from law & order to investigate??
Maybe he’s the harbinger of doom. Good thing he didn’t ave a real chance at the Presidential nomination. America probably would have been nuked off the face of the Earth.
i know i would be too nervous to stand next to him anywhere!
Jesse’s mean mug became more aparent when R Kelly was on stage. His whole body tensed up.
I think Jesse is kind of losing it. He’s not here mentally.
1. There’s absolutely no rhyme or reason to the way I react when hearing about a person dying. None whatsoever. It’s completely unpredictable, completely arbitrary, and completely dependent on… whatever the hell it’s dependent on.
This. I feel bad that I don’t feel as bad about Whitney’s death as other people. I felt it when Micheal died and while I was shocked to hear Whitney passed, I wasn’t moved by it. I actually felt more when I heard about Heavy D to be honest. Why? A few reasons I guess but none I care to get into cause it’s still too raw for some folks and I’ve found people are way sensitive about this topic.
2. There have been myriad different accounts of the events that led to Bobby Brown leaving (or getting kicked out of) Whitney’s funeral, so I won’t go into any of them. I will say, though, that I feel worse for him than for anyone else who was in Whitney’s life.
I never liked Bobby Brown really but I feel bad for the way he’s getting treated as well. And if the family continues to point fingers and be petty they are gonna do Bobbi Christina more harm than good.
3. I happened to be at my parent’s house when the funeral was being aired. When R.Kelly came to the podium, all three of us said “Wait. Is that R.Kelly???” at the exact same time. No bullsh*t.
I reserve my right to remain silent on this as well.
4. I know many people had an issue with some of the “So, America, make sure you’re recording so you can see how these exotic-ass Negros celebrate the dead” -ey comments from some of the non-black members of the news media covering the event. In particular, Piers Morgan sounded like he was covering at an event at Jurassic Park.
Instead of being offended, we should look at is as a teaching moment for “them other folks”. Maybe some of them know a little better than they did before.
5. I’m not sure if the fact that I simultaneously ”experienced” the funeral with over a thousand others on Twitter — all with their own running commentary about the event — was a good or a bad thing. Actually, I’m pretty certain it’s neither. It’s not disrespectful or distant or progressive or indicative of anything, either. It just is. That’s just the way we deal with things today.
I didn’t even watch it nor do I know if that was a good or bad thing. The only celebrity funeral I ever watched was MJ’s. I don’t see that changing in the near future unless it’s Stevie maybe.
I’ve missed all of the celeb funerals, even James Brown’s.
Every time I see Stevie I keep dreading the day we’ll see him pass, but I will definitely watch that one.
When Prince dies…all hell is gonna break loose.
I don’t even want to think about that. No ma’am.
No, ma’am! Not to be discussed until the day many many many years from this one.
Judging by the way he looks, you got another 50 years to worry about that.
When Prince dies…all hell is gonna break loose.
prince will never die
Game blouses. . . . .
LMAO
If/when Prince goes… I might have to get stabby.
Stabby!!! *keels over* I’m stealing that.
When Prince goes, I will officially be old. Not age-wise, I mean I’ll FEEL old. I will see children born who will grow up only knowing of Prince, the deceased. They will look at me like I look at people who were around while Elvis was alive. Well, there are already plenty of post-MJ babies. I can already imagine struggling to explain how phenomenal MJ “was”…oh dear lord. *swigs booze*
I’ve already had the “explain how phenomenal MJ was” convo with an 11-year-old who blithely declared she “didn’t like” Michael Jackson and could not fathom how anybody could. It didn’t go well. Sigh.
My 5 an 9 year olds already knew but since the MJ Experience I now have two new lifelong fans.
Stop it. Prince will live forever. Why do you think he’s a vegan and doesn’t drink, use drugs, smoke and his skin looks so fresh?
Stevie has participated in the funerals for Etta James, Don Cornelius, and Whitney Houston in the past MONTH…not to mention Michael Jackson’s funeral in 2009 (can’t believe it’s been almost 3 years). I’m sure he thought it would be the other way around, with Whitney and Michael singing at his funeral. The way it’s going, though, he might outlast some more young talent that dies too soon.
Part Deux – I just hope Stevie and Prince die when they’re good and ready!
“I’m sure he thought it would be the other way around, with Whitney and Michael singing at his funeral.”
On point.
Every time I see Stevie I keep dreading the day we’ll see him pass, but I will definitely watch that one.
I might have to take a few days off when stevie passes.
Thank you! Ironically, Whitney Houston in death has done more to expose the totality of America (White, Latino, Asian and Native American) to the Black Church Experience than anyone else I can think of. I know the new thing is to say that Black History is American History. Well, consider Whitney’s funeral an extended lesson on an integral part of American History.
I actually felt more when I heard about Heavy D to be honest.
with all the recent celeb deaths i actually forgot about heavy d
OMG, Thank you!! I thought I was the only one that forgot. If you saw the Image Awards, or the you tube clip like me, where Yolanda Adams slayed the whole theater,they did a listing of those that passed, and I’d forgotten about alot of them and was blown anew. SN: If you watch the audience, all of the women are struggling not to let the tears fall and mess up their make-up, and Yolanda was spent in the Spirit and the end and could barely walk off.
I’m like you. All celebrity deaths stun me, but I don’t really like funerals anyway so I definitely don’t tune in to see them televised (or worse to see them made into platforms for struggling artists, media hounds, or journalists trying to work subplots) and probably miss any opportunity to be moved beyond the sadness for their families.
Real life funerals (meaning the ones I attend in person) always hurt more because it’s understood that these people aren’t here for the cameras. The pain seems (not necessarily is, but seems) more palpable and raw. I realize there is still drama at non-celebrity funerals but they usually just seem more authentic to me because they’re not being packaged like some media product. I could be completely biased about this, but that’s JMO.
As far as Bobby being to blame, I used to think that years ago until I ran into people from Teaneck NJ who said that the Whitney that disturbed us, that made us fear for her safety, the Whitney that seemed out of control, was the Whitney that was always there long before Bobby ever got in the picture. He was at worst a co-enabler… and one that was out of the picture since 2007. It’s 2012.
Also here’s what “Us” magazine is saying about Bobby Brown’s departure
http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/bobby-brown-explains-why-he-left-whitney-houstons-funeral-2012182
I do wonder if it had been reversed, if Bobby had died, would Whitney have been treated similarly by Bobby’s family (and I suspect she would). People are people.
Whitney sang at Bobby’s mama’s funeral. I doubt Bobby’s family would have told her she had to leave the funeral after telling her she had to move to a different seat.
Actually I just saw that below (way down thread) so armed with this new information I have to agree with you, it doesn’t seem like they would have done the same thing. It’s sad. If Whitney had moved past whatever ill feelings there were, I’m not sure why the family couldn’t (if indeed that was the impetus behind the musical chairs at the funeral)
I think we are kindred spirits lol. Great article!
thanks and sh*t
We watched it on E! There were, surprisingly, no commercials. I haven’t been impacted much by her death but my husband has been driving me crazy. He’s a man who never follows gossip, but he was online reading all kinds of articles. And, if he plays I Will Always Love You one more time, he’s going to need a new place to live. To me the song is okay, a bit over the top for my taste, but hearing it five times in an hour? No. He then went on to start playing music by other artists who died too soon. When he started playing Karen Carpenter I pulled the plug. (I actually like the Carpenters, but enough already with the dead singers!)
I don’t blame Bobby Brown. It was her decision to get involved with such a low life and to take drugs.
+ 1 to The Carpenters
“I Will Always Love You” is probably one of my least favorite songs from her. People are really wearing it out.
I prefer “I Have Nothing” myself. That song still gives me chills.
“Be My Baby Tonight” is my sh*t.
*sings terrible impression for TAC*
Doooont maaaake me cloooose one more door…
Um…Thanks? lol
I also preferred “I have nothing.” Simply amazing.
This and “I wanna dance with somebody” have been on mental replay. Not sure why those two, but I love them. “I have nothing” is fantastic…ranks up there with J Holiday’s “You’re gonna love me.”
“All The Man I Need” is my fave. I’ll be singing that to whoever ends up being my hubby on our wedding day…hopefully lol
Love this one too.
“There were, surprisingly, no commercials”
yeah, i didn’t even realize i just watched two hours of commercial free tv until after the ceremony ended
The Carpenters! She died of anorexia. Man that’s sad.
I was and still am hurt by Whitney’s passing. It is evident that she was not perfect she had her flaws what makes me upset it people seem to forget she admitted to her flaws. Bobby loved her and she loved him they just got to a point where they couldn’t be together anymore. I have family and friends that have struggled with drugs and alchohol addictions so yes I was sad to hear that she had died because for a moment it seemed as though she was getting herself together. I guess that didn’t last long. Whitney did alot postive things outside of music there was a girl that had colon cancer and needed at least 2 or 3 surgies to save her life and Whitney paid for them. I just wish people would let her go in peace we are all here on borrowed time she was still someone’s sister, daughter, and mother a human being. I will remember Whitney for “real” musical talent she was dubbed “The Voice” for a reason. So yes I am not ashamed to say I care b/c I grew up on Whitney she was a woman I looked up to even when all the crazy shit happened I was and still will be a loyal fan. Thats all I can say and do.
I just wish people would let her go in peace we are all here on borrowed time she was still someone’s sister, daughter, and mother a human being.
i think people, for the most part, have been respectful and fair in regards to her death and her legacy
Yeah most…
…but there’s always…
http://www.theroot.com/ken-and-john-call-whitney-houston-crack-ho
I didn’t watch the funeral as I did not feel too personally invested in it. Whitney was a great entertainer, one of the greatest female voices of our time, but I felt very little at her death. I suppose in my eyes she was already gone.
I will admit to being slightly annoyed by all the coverage until I realized it was probably the first time the media would be invited into a homegoing ceremony. Then I didn’t feel annoyed, just creeped out. I felt like it was making a spectacle and a show of a tradition that, to my family, is very personal and reflective, somber as much as joyous. I chose not to watch it because it felt too much, to me, like an awards ceremony of sorts where people came up, gave speeches, sang and thanked God before saying farewell.
Maybe I’m too cynical about the whole thing. Maybe I’d have felt differently had it been someone I grew up with continuously (a la Aaliyah and Michael). I just hope that her legacy ends up being more that her short-comings and death, and more her voice and spirit.
*hops down off soapbox*
I was a little concerned it would turn into that, but it really didn’t, in my opinion. I was riveted and moved to tears several times. YouTube some clips, especially comments from Kevin Costner, Tyler Perry (yes, Tyler Perry), T.D. Jakes.
+1
Amen
“I suppose in my eyes she was already gone.”
My sentiments also. I can’t truly imagine the pressure she might have felt kind of realizing this herself.
Does anybody know if Westboro Baptist “Church” came and picketed like they said they would?
I didn’t hear anything about them and I live in the area.
I think they thought better of it. NEWARK. New Jersey.
That is all.
Basically. They didn’t wanna come to the Bricks with that non-sense. Would’ve been smoke in the city for sure. Like 6 blocks surrounding the church was blocked off any way, but they wouldn’t have even made it to the barricades.
I would have loved to see that.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/20/westboro-baptist-church-whitney-houston-tweet_n_1288958.html
They attended… via photoshop O_0
I feel like I’ve been grieving Whitney’s passing like a passing relative. It’s a very weird feeling. Certainly the most I’ve grieved over any celebrity aside from Tupac. (Yes, I boo-hoo-ed when Tupac passed and thought about it for weeks. Likely because he reminded me of some of my cousins. You know, live fast, die fast…).
All the same, Whitney’s funeral was a true home-going service and I truly appreciated her family allowing us to experience that with them.
My recap:
- Tyler Perry. He did us justice. Hearing him speak reminded me of how much I need to get back into my own faith.
- BeBe and CeCe. Lord knows we STILL love you all. BeBe told a story from the heart. Something that spoke to Whitney’s character and personality. Not her fame. Not her voice. Not her beauty. And the your voices are still heavenly.
- Dionne Warwick. She had so much composure. Seemed a bit…off, especially when she introduced Aretha Franklin, but I guess there was too much to keep up with..?
- Kim Burrell. Almost laid me out. That voice. Those emotions.
- R. Kelly. Where did you come from? And…how is it that you too almost laid me out.
- The benediction. Laid me out. Ugh. I know that dread you feel when the pall bearers come for the casket. You know that your loved one is no longer with you in the flesh. Really…it’s hard to even type and think about it.
R.Kelly is a musical beast tho’ who else can go from writing I Believe I Can Fly to Feelin’ on Yo Booty
I didn’t know they were showing the funeral on t.v. I walked into the room and heard R. Kelly singing. I was NOT pleased. Did anyone else see Al Sharpton RUN to CNN to give an interview?
I HATE FUNERAL…with a Passion…that’s right, capital P. I only go when I know missing it is not an option (grandma, etc.) For some reason I felt compelled to watch.
1. I was shocked too when R.Kelly stepped in the pulpit. I just knew he was gonna get struck down.
2. Didn’t care for A. Keys or Kim Burrell, but I’ve never had to sing at a friend’s funeral.
3. Patricia Houston got on my nerves! I really didn’t like what she said to Cissy. The analogy she tried to use was horrible as well.
4. Donnie McClurkin did a great job.
5. Jury is still out on Bobby
“I just knew he was gonna get struck down.”
BOL!
It was a very moving service. I originally hadn’t planned on watching it, but it kinda sucked me in.
I was extremely disappointed in how the Bobby situation was handled. IMO, he could’ve and should’ve been accomodated. They were married for 14 years, he’s the father of her only child, and they seemed to have a very cordial relationship up until her death. It broke my heart to see his son crying outside of the church afterwards. Whitney meant something to his children too and it seems they wanted to be there to support their sister. That’s a moment they’ll never have again. I don’t think Whitney would’ve wanted that either.
As far as the rest of the service, it was beautiful, but have we figured out exactly why Jesse was in the pulpit and why he was muggin the entire time? I don’t even think he said anything. Why was Al Sharpton tweeting from inside the church? I don’t understand. Luckily, I watched it on BET, so i missed the live commentating from confused white folks. Also, I don’t have an issue with R Kelly singing. They may have been close or maybe the family just wanted him to sing the song he wrote for her. I got a little emotional as he and Alicia were visibly choked up and trying to sing through it.
I had just finished that poor excuse of a game between Ohio St. and Michigan St. when I saw that Whitney passed. I sat in disbelief for God knows how long. It’s STILL hard to accept that she’s really gone.
The only reason I feel bad for Bobby is bc he needed to be there for his daughter. I read that his “entourage” were his other kids & some relatives. If anything, HE should’ve been able to sit in the front with Bobbi Kris.
Cissy had every right to be angry with Bobby for his abusive actions towards her daughter during the duration of their marriage, but at that particular moment, all the family needed to be together. They all loved Whitney & I’m sure Whitney wouldn’t have wanted that small scuffle to go down.
I was fine watching the service until Kim Burrell started singing. I cry every time I hear her voice.
Number ONE: Please, STOP burying Stevie. If I live to see that day, I want to live it that one time. Thank you.
What passes as journalism sometimes in this country leaves so much to be desired. Something that has irritated me this past week in the “reporting” of Whitney Houston’s last days: she left a nightclub “sweaty and disheveled”. No $h1+!!! She was leaving a nightclub. We get it: she had addiction problems. She wasn’t the first, she won’t be the last. Sadly.
I did not hear Soladad O’Brien make the comment that has been stated she made but if that is in fact the case, I am disappointed in Ms. O’Brien (and Mr. Morgan). They had to have known they would be covering this funeral and the very least they could have done was ask some questions of Google.com.
It was a (long)beautiful service. I pray she had some idea of how loved she (is)was. I pray for strength for her mother. And Bobbi Kristina and her father.
+1
“Number ONE: Please, STOP burying Stevie. If I live to see that day, I want to live it that one time. Thank you.”
Oh lawd, LOL!
“Something that has irritated me this past week in the “reporting” of Whitney Houston’s last days: she left a nightclub “sweaty and disheveled”. No $h1+!!!”
I know, right? If she was looking ‘suspiciously unwell,’ then I must look like death warmed over when I leave a hot crowded nightclub.
One more thought about the ‘blame Bobby’ crowd – I’m pretty sure the “America’s sweetheart” image is what the label/PR folk sold us Whitney was. I think Mrs. Bobby Brown and her various hoodrat antics is who the real Whitney was. I’m not shading her in any way, it’s just people refuse to act like she, like everyone else, wasn’t perfect. And being a gospel icon’s daughter and Dionne Warwick’s cousin, I’m sure there was a crushing amount of pressure on Whitney. I kind of think Bobby was ‘freeing’ from that
R.I.P.
+1
I think feeling “free” to be her true self was the main reason behind Whitney and Ray J too. Who, btw, has also been getting blamed for her death. I think that is way unfair as well.
I can’t remember exactly where I heard it from (heard it maybe 10 years ago), but there was indeed a lot of work done on her “image.” She was referred to as “rough around the edges” before agents/ managers worked on her packaging. I genuinely do not mean any disrespect to her, though. That is just part of the business. They created a presentation that fit her clear, pitch-perfect, and beautiful voice. I think they did a great job.
When strategic packaging and management fail, you get irradic train wrecks like Rihanna, Niki Minaj, Chris Brown, etc. I’m going to need people to pick an image that works and stick with it.
I was one of the few people that appreciated CNN explaining everything. I appreciated the authenticity of the funeral. I’m not really a fan of Tyler Perry’s “artistic” endeavors, however his speech was especially poignant. The entire funeral didn’t feel real to me until they played I Will Always Love You and carried the casket out on their shoulders.
Ya’ll she’s really gone. at 48. I’m not ready.
I was truly shocked @ Whitney & MJ’s deaths b/c they were sudden & far too soon, but I was also mad @ both of them for dabblin’ in them narcotics (Amy Winehouse didn’t surprise me at all, but I did like her music). Didn’t watch Whitney’s funeral – I understand the curiosity of the public but it was all getting a bit morbid to me. & now that I know R. Kelly was in the house, I’m glad I missed it – that would have pissed me off. Dunno the Bobby situation but I feel like there had to be a way to accommodate him & his 100 chirren, even if it was @ the back or off to the side – something!
I think the only celebrity death that’s actually gonna make me shed tears (should I live to see it) is Prince, I’m gonna be wounded for a long azz time… & I still miss Bernie Mac every single time I see him in something.
Can I just say how truly TACKY it is that hotel guests are asking for refunds?? No one saw this coming! At least they were ALIVE to be inconvenienced – I mean REALLY, that’s just rude imo…
Yes! to the Tyler Perry comment. I literally made a vow never to speak ill of him again (grits teeth) over him helping to fly the body back. His words at the funeral were on point as well.
I feel so bad for Bobby,nd co-sign 100%. The man has been married to Whitney for 14 years, and probaby is still inlove with her. Yes they had a dramatic marriage but they had to have had “something in common” to have stayed together for so long.I’ve never bought the “Bobby is to blame for everything” hype. Whitney was trying to make a come back and he was the obvious scapegoat for the choices they both made. I don’t care if he brought 20 people, they should have accommodated him, especially since the people he brought were his children. Bobbi Kristina’s siblings..really, they couldn’t accommodate them?! And Clive Davis, i swear that man played a role in her downfall himself- i suspect he atleast introduced her to drugs. The man is soo greasy!
No comment re R Kelly, my stance towards is more like Breezy. As entertainers, they got that ish down!! Can’t hate on that.
About Bobby and his guests, if he was only supposed to bring two people, that’s all he should have brought. He knew he himself was barely invited.
Now, they were wrong for trying to keep him from his daughter but he didn’t have to make a tense situation more so by being so Bobby about it.
I feel so bad for Bobby,nd co-sign 100%. The man has been married to Whitney for 14 years, and probaby is still inlove with her. Yes they had a dramatic marriage but they had to have had “something in common” to have stayed together for so long.I’ve never bought the “Bobby is to blame for everything” hype. Whitney was trying to make a come back and he was the obvious scapegoat for the choices they both made. I don’t care if he brought 20 people, they should have accommodated him, especially since the people he brought were his children. Bobbi Kristina’s siblings..really, they couldn’t accommodate them?! And Clive Davis, i swear that man played a role in her downfall himself- i suspect he atleast introduced her to drugs. The man is soo greasy!
No comment re R Kelly, my stance towards is more like Breezy. As entertainers, they got that ish down!! Can’t hate on that.
I agree with everything you said about Bobby. When I heard about his early departure and “entourage” I immediately thought, wait, isn’t he married? Doesn’t he have like 8 kids? I feel that accommodations should have been made for Bobby and as much as it pains me to say it, I agree with Al Sharpton. Everyone should just leave Bobby alone. My mother is perhaps the most critical person I know, but even she said that ultimately, it was Whitney, not Bobby who chose to do drugs. She’s absolutely right and if people can forgive R. for sexing and peeing on 12-year-olds, then Bobby deserves a break.
I haven’t seen the funeral in it’s entirety yet because I was attending my uncle’s sister’s (not my aunt, my uncle’s sister’s) funeral with my mom and my cousins. As I watched the end of Whitney’s funeral I couldn’t help but parallel R. Kelly’s song to the song that the neighborhood wino sang during the funeral I was at. You could see looks of confusion as the entire congregation (family aside ) looked lie “who decided to give this negro the mic?”
ROTFLMAO! This!
“You could see looks of confusion as the entire congregation (family aside ) looked lie ‘who decided to give this negro the mic?’”
BOL! I find it hard to believe all these people had such strong relationships with her.
Different View: I don’t think the family has to allow an ex-husband sit in on a funeral (they know more about what happened than any of us). I also heard her say to Oprah that Bobby once spit on her face and, when she looked up, his eyes were filled with hate. (If you don’t believer her, fine; based on the interview, she seemed to be telling the truth, from experience). That said, I agree that Bobby may be unfairly blamed for “bringing Whitney down.” No man, Bobby Brown, nor anyone else, can be blamed for a woman’s inner demons and decision to stay in an unhealthy marriage….
First, I didn’t know CNN was showing the funeral until people mentioned it on Twitter. I was half-watching it live on local TV (WNBC Channel 4), then sat down to watch the recorded funeral to check out what I missed. I do thank CNN for trying to explain things. I know I’ve been to religious services outside of the Black Church Experience before, from Muslims to White Protestants to Catholics and whatnot, and the explanation of things is useful. I’m glad CNN and E! went out and broadcast the service. Ironically, it was an excellent opportunity to show the rest of America how Black people mourn and worship. Black History Month indeed.
Also, I was straight taken to chuuch on that funeral, and yes I spelled it right. I’m a Deist, so I don’t believe in any organized religion, but I do recognize the power of worship. Watching that made me realize what I walked away from when I walked away from the church. It’s not like I regret my decision, but it was definitely a strong corrective to any notions of the Church being a Bad Thing as some Atheists think.
Lastly, I strongly agree with your thoughts on Bobby Brown. It’s a bit ridiculous to blame Bobby Brown on Whitney’s issues. Yes, Bobby Brown was far from a saint, and he’s even copped to that much. However, Whitney Houston had issues that would have come out one way or another. If it wasn’t Bobby Brown, it would have been someone else. At least Bobby has a few platinum records to his name. Imagine if it was some random basehead from the Central Ward of Newark?
I get what you’re saying, but I don’t think the Black church needs anybody else to understand it. Or really wants it. Personally I don’t want it analyzed, dissected, justified, diluted or even desegregated. I don’t attend anymore, but it is where I came from and I love and respect it with all the flaws. 2520s, Catholics and everybody else that doesn’t get it can continue to not get it. I don’t need to get Judaism or Islam. It’s not for me to get. I have no place asking for it to be explained, either. I feel the same way about the Black church.
But this view is one of the reasons why race relations will never get anywhere in this country, hell this world. People hate and fear what they don’t understand and a little understanding goes a long way. It’s better than walking around with bs stereotypes imo.
#this! You don’t have to love anything else, but you do have to respect folk and see where they’re coming from. If this service helps, than it’s all to the good.
I understand what yall are saying. I truly do. But desegregation for its own sake is not always the best of all possible worlds. The Black church is the place where popular music was born. It was the only place black people could gather. It is the foundation of so many things that are good.
It does not have to be desegregated to be legitimate. I dont want the rich culture of the Black church diluted for the sake of “diversity” because you can lose way more than what you gain in trying to appeal to the masses. At some point we can save some things for ourselves and expect and demand that those things be respected.
We lost a lot of what was good about our culture when we decided to go along with the idea that white people had to give their stamp of approval to what we were doing. When Brown vs. Board came about, they abandoned the hope of getting equal funding for black schools cause white folks would not honor the equal part of separate but equal. If it is truly equal, then what’s wrong with separate. They argued black children can’t learn unless white people are around. Don’t believe me? Read it.
That’s the mentality that’s been ingrained in this society and its degraded our culture and our pride. We don’t need for others to approve or understand everything. They just need to respect it. But why would they respect anything when we give people the message that anything we have isn’t good enough unless white people come along, and approve.
But let me get off my soap box.
I’m not talking about getting a stamp of approval from anybody. I’m talking about keeping an open mind and accepting spirit and wanting other races/religions/cultures to do the same. I don’t feel that we have to lose anything to gain something from those different from us.
And I would counter how can anybody respect anything or anyone that they know nothing of substance about? Respect is earned, not given on demand just because I feel entitled to it based on who I am and who “they” are.
I respect Judaism and Jewish culture and worship. I know nothing about it. I dont need to know. They dont need to invite me so they can be diverse. They don’t need to explain sh*t to me to demand respect.
I can see your point but I can’t go along with it myself. I’m curious by nature and need to understand the why and how of most things. And I like to have an idea of where people are coming from so I can try to respond accordingly. I would hope that others would extend the same courtesy to me and my people.
As much as I hate to copycat…I am pretty much w/ Luvvie “Every part of THIS…” When I found out that she had passed, I was in shock…hell I even shocked myself in how much shock I was actually in. I listen to her music and have watched her give interviews, but I never considered myself a “ride-or-die” Whitney boy. When I heard how it happened, I pretty much wanted to Florida Evans’ “Damn, damn, damn!”, but my family would beat me down for breaking dishes we don’t even really have, but I felt deep sorry nonetheless. I sat watching the entire funeral service and found myself unable to turn off the TV. Don Lemon did the very best that he could with such an event, but the rest of the CNN folks (looks dead at Soledad and Piers)…you shoulda stayed at home. Someone described Piers’ comments as similar to watching Jurassic Park…here, here! It was almost like they knew that 100% of the audience who was watching CNN at that moment (a) were not baptist (b) were not black and (c) needed them to do a play-by-play…damn, we can see that the choir is singing, Soledad—we gots this! Soledad, why did you have the ask the name of the song “Grateful”? They said it a million times…even my 7 year old niece knew the name of the song…think.
The service itself was beautiful, but too many Winans and too much drama w/ Bobby. Leave Bobby alone. He did not do anything to that woman except be her husband for a brief period of time and give her a child. She was not a child and she was not the first celebrity to have problems with her life. He, like Judas, will be blamed for all eternity for taking someone so near and dear to the people from them, and my heart goes out to him, because how does one cope with being basically called a “murderer” except in much nicer terminology e.g. “bad influence”? Everyone in the family, including Bobby is going through hell and we are more than happy to keep him locked in, hard and fast.
Not sure how Dionne did it, but girl, as someone said on Twitter, I would have been under the pew and unable to basically speak coherently.
I agree with others who responded even more heavily to the casket being taken away and even as I type this, the chills from seeing the look on Whitney’s mother’s face and Ray-J touching the casket as it left the church just opened the floodgates once again. No parent ever wants to bury their child. I imagine it is a parent’s worst nightmare and how, even with two women holding her up, she could walk behind the box that contains her “baby”….
I think the whole service was one that I would think we all would have for ourselves, no matter how we met our Creator…it seemed hopeful…hopeful that the little girl who grew up singing songs in the church, later singing songs in the club, who saw herself at a young age thrust into spotlight, at an older age answering questions about her erratic behavior and drugs, who seemed to be a good mother and at the same time had her demons—found rest in her soul.
And I do hate that I didn’t catch the appearance of the “church finger”….
R.I.P. Whitney
So, I purposely avoided this on TV. I couldn’t muster any enthusiasm about watching people grieve. I’m glad to know no one did the Rickey Smiley scream in the middle of the service.
I wanted Whitney’s homegoing to be private. Like, 100% private. No cameras. No livestreaming. She lived most of her life in the spotlight, she should’ve been sent home in private. Because it’s Whitney Houston, the family probably wouldn’t have been able to escape a public memorial, but I’d rather that than to have this service and their grief broadcast on television like that. I felt the same way for MJ. They should’ve had the service and buried him in private that morning, and the public memorial that afternoon.
Second, I felt awful for Bobby. Who knows what really went down, but I do know that dealing with family in grief can be quite an ordeal. emotions are raw, words can be downright vicious. If this was a matter of his children, he should’ve at least been able to sit with Bobbi, who, I think, needed all the help she could get aside from Cissy.
And speaking of Bobbi Kristina, reports are saying that after the funeral she wanted to be alone, so they let her be. Then, the next morning, the family was frantic looking for her so they could go to the burial. She showed up, but was high. They’re saying she’d gone to a hotel to do drugs. This could all be speculation, but when both your parents have a history of substance abuse, and then the very tragic event of losing your mother at a young age occurs, it’s not an unlikely thing to happen. While the media is focusing on Bobby’s leaving, someone needs to put an arm around Whitney’s only child and help her heal.
Poor Ray J. I tuned in to the funeral just as the eulogy was beginning, and when they were lifting the coffin out of the service and Ray J reached up to touch it, my heart pinched. He was really going through some things.
I always thought Whitney would make a complete comeback, drug free. Her death didn’t shock me nor affect me in any particular way. What does bother me is the way she’s been vilified by folks while those same folks applaud Elvis, Janis, & Amy. I don’t like the way Bobbie is treated by the media. He gets a bad rap. As a young man who had a crush on Whitney back in the early 80s, I remember hearing stories of the wild child, pk, who can sing on the level of Minnie, & party like Belushi. That being said, she was Bobbie’s downfall so leave that man alone.
As a Catholic, when I heard they were televising Whitney Houston’s funeral service from a Baptist church, I just knew the service was going to be at least four hours long before they even started to broadcast, LMAO!!!
Who else watched CNN’s Don Lemon break down how WE do at a black funeral?
But seriously, I watched the entire homegoing and it was a beautiful service. Tyler Perry Got up and did his thing and Kevin Costner was looking good(no really, he did) and it makes us all be reminded that life is short and you have to surround yourself around people who bring joy to your life. Cherish every moment that we have. I feel bad for bobby as he really is not the one to be blamed for her behavior. If that’s the case, then everyone involved shares the blame for not stepping in and doing something sooner. RIP Whitney!
I also was like, “Wow, R Kelly?!” until I realized he wrote “I Look to You” for Whitney, the same song he sung at the funeral. I was actually surprised to hear he wrote the song for her SO long ago. That was a nice tribute, I thought.
“None of us know exactly what led to Whitney’s substance abuse problems. And, since none of us know, perhaps we should place a collective moratorium on “Blame Bobby.””
Pretty much. If anything, death teaches us to let petty (in comparison to losing a loved one, a family’s issues with another family member can be seen as such) issues be pushed to the side if even for the moment to come together and pay tribute. And by extension, keep note of the fact that these issues largely affect Bobbi Kristina. I mean, did she have ANY say of whether she could be around her father? I know at times like these family members want to rally around and protect the young ones in the name of doing “what’s best for them.” but sometimes, though the intention is good, it’s not what’s best for them.
So while I understand the feelings surrounding him, I did feel bad for Bobby… and all of this took away from where the attention should be placed. Which is Whitney. After all, despite their differences… they all did gather for the same reason… they, quite interestingly, had something in common.
I feel bad for Bobby too. He takes the rap as being Whitney’s downfall…but it is well known (at least in the hood i.e. Newark) that she was doing drugs and was a bit of a “wild child” long before he came into the picture. It is well known that him and Whitney didn’t have the “easiest” marriage and I’m sure her family has ill feelings toward him. However, her funeral is not that time and place to make that obvious. Its unfortunate how ugly people can act when a loved one passes away. My prayers always go up for peace and harmony during the time of grieving for anybody. People tend to lose sight of what’s going on and somehow make it about them (or something else).
I’ve heard the same things about Whitney as well. But I guessClive must’ve hooked her up with a better PR team, I guess.
Absolutely. He worked diligently to maintain her image (as best as possible).
Yup. The “America’s Sweetheart” label was definitely a well-calculated Clive Davis move.
I’m perplexed.
Whitney Houston was undoubtedly a very talented singer. As such, it is truly sad when someone we seemingly grew up with, someone who sang the soundtrack to our collective lives, will not be here for the closing credits. In that sense, she was a part of us.
The reason I find myself perplexed, however, is the extent to which the media has been covering this. The great majority of us are intrigued when we drive by an accident, so much so, that we slow down to look (rubbernecking) to the extent that it causes a traffic delay even on the otherside of the freeway. The feel I’ve gotten from the media spectacle this has become is one that is intended to appeal to rubberneckers. In my humble opinion, while Ms. Houston was undoubtedly a talented star with an extensive discography as I came to realize during a satellite radio tribute during the days immediately following her demise, she was not THAT great.
The extent of media coverage for Michael Jackson was understandable. The extent of media coverage for Paul McCartney will likely rival that of Michael. I honestly expected the coverage for Whitney to be more along the lines of the coverage offered to Alliyah, Left Eye, and Etta James. As a result, I find it curious the extent to which this has played out in the media. It makes me wonder if the media expects there to be rampant niggotry jumping off at some point and wanted to be sure to have the cameras rolling. Maybe this is why Bobby Brown’s exit from the service is even so relevant. It makes me wonder if this just so happened to be a slow news week. Or, maybe they are building this up with hopes to keep it fresh in America’s mind so that if at any day now a slanderous toxicology report gives them the dirt they’ve been hoping for, they can make a breaking news, “this-just-in”, over-sensationalized, dramatic interruption of their own interruptions to bring it to us.
Star-studded events bring out more stars which brings more coverage of said stars. I get that. More stars equal greater ratings and greater viewership for commercials and product endorsements; therefore, greater revenue. I can’t help but to sit here and question, however, if Whitney was really and truly THAT much of a star, or if the media “circus-try” is simply revenue generating hype for rubberneckers, leaving me simply perplexed.
I think Whitney Houson was at “that great.” Her voice was world-renowned. I recall someone stating that America is known around the world for producing amazing singers (amongst other things, I think it was Simon Cowell.) I’d bet Whitney Houston would be a large part of that idea. To put her in the ranks of Aaliyah’s and Left’s notoriety I think is inaccurate.
Wow. Alladis.
I was really disgusted at Don Lemon’s preface to the public to how a homegoing service in the Baptist church would be. Not only did he make it seem as though there would be a bunch of hoopin’ and hollerin’, screaming, crying, falling out, etc…it was just an over-the-top explanation. And the ‘wake’ is the same thing as the viewing…it’s done BEFORE the funeral takes place.
Anyhow, I think the whole service was done with dignity and respect. I appreciate that Bobby B left w/o making a scene even though I felt like he should’ve been able to pay his respects with the rest of the family.
I (accidentally) watched the whole funeral. I think those closest to her know that Whitney’s battles were her own. And the life of an addict is not easy because you are always “recovering” and never “cured”. If you watch Oprah’s interview with Whitney, the way she tells her story is quite chilling.
As far as teamblamebobby, I dunno. He was invited to the funeral, due to limited seating he was told he could bring two kids. He showed up with more. Should he have done that? No…the day of your ex-wife’s funeral is not the day to not follow directions. Especially since he didn’t plan that funeral. He was a guest. What is sadder is that he chose to leave before his daughter even arrived. I guess that was the moment Bobby B. could have chosen to prioritize. What is more important? Making sure his other kids get a seat? Or making sure that he is there for his daughter? Do I blame Bobby for Whitney’s choices? Nope. Whitney said herself that they were a team.
Anywho. When Michael died I was in disbelief but I didn’t really cry or emote much. And yet, I did feel this one. She had a beautiful homegoing and above all else I wish her family peace.
bobby’s statement
http://www.people.com/people/package/article/0,,20569493_20571941,00.html
“My children and I were invited to the funeral of my ex-wife Whitney Houston,” Brown, 43, says. “We were seated by security and then subsequently asked to move on three separate occasions. I fail to understand why security treated my family this way and continue to ask us to move.”
The problem then escalated, he says, when security prevented him from seeing his daughter with Houston, Bobbi Kristina, who was briefly hospitalized after having a nervous breakdown last week.
“In light of the events, I gave a kiss to the casket of my ex-wife and departed as I refused to create a scene,” he says. “My children are completely distraught over the events.”
Of Houston, whom he wed in 1992 and divorced in 2007 after a rocky, highly publicized relationship, he says he will “continue to pay my respects to my ex-wife the best way I know how.”
“This was a day to honor Whitney,” he adds of the singer, who died last week at 48. “I doubt Whitney would have wanted this to occur.”
Yeah, I saw that. I am unsure of the timeline of events. I have read one article that mentioned that Bobbi K. hadn’t arrived yet and so that means the whole incident occurred before she arrived. I don’t blame Bobby one way or another for choosing to leave. Either decision must have been difficult and reports mentioned that he clearly looked distraught and I don’t judge his decision to go.
I wonder if the brow-beaters and high-horse riders also denigrate Elvis Presley, Mama Cass and Janis Joplin after they have passed away?
After the death of MJ, I’ve noticed how Internet thugs, shock-jocks and low-brow bloggers would speak ill about MJ, because of his drug use. The same thing after Amy Winehouse’s passing (which had me shaken up for a bit) and now Whitney’s death.
Hi five and amen, girl!
Hi guys, I love your blogs and the comments from the VSB and VSS community. I read it from London, UK and find it absolutely hilarious. Champ, do I get a ‘welcome and sh*?’ LMAO
I haven’t watched Whitney’s funeral in full – like some of you have said, I was rooting for her to do a comeback. Her death is tragic and unfortunately unsurprising if you have a history of drug abuse. May her soul rest in peace and I hope that Bobbi Kristina will be able to heal in peace.
As for Bobby, yes the media flack is too much. It takes two to party, but ultimately Whitney made the choice each time to take the drugs. What Bobby needs to do is take a breather from the spotlight; he isn’t helping himself being photographed in concert immediately after the funeral. Everyone would understand – his ex-wife has died. It’s too public and he knows everyone is crapping on him, so I fail to understand that style of grieving.
It’s far better that he finds a way of helping Bobbi get through this in private.
“What Bobby needs to do is take a breather from the spotlight; he isn’t helping himself being photographed in concert immediately after the funeral.”
I just get the feeling Bobby was not a Whitney Houston fan in the end. Many have mentioned that he was probably still in love with her…I didn’t see it. I feel like everyone expected him to GAF so he tried to.
Disagree. If that dude really has 9 kids, he needs to be gigging instead of sleeping, eating……….
I just think at the end of the day Bobby is never going to be likeable. He will eff up even the most generous attempt to give him a pass. I can’t tell you how many people I know predicted that if Bobby were allowed to come to the services, some ish was going to go down. There are many folks saying “I told you so” today.
On a side note, I know I will always remember where I was when I heard about MJ’s death and Whitney Houston’s. When I heard Michael died, I was at work in an office in Va, on the internet and saw a link to TMZ saying MJ had died.
I was at a basketball game when someone texted that Whitney had died. Didn’t want to believe either one. But right after Michael died and then Teena Marie, me and my GF at the time basically said we’re gonna see Prince in concert before something happens to him. If he makes it within 500 miles of DC we’re gonna go see him. Can’t take the risk of not ever seeing his purple badness in concert.
LOL, I wonder if these artists are feeling the swell in record and concert ticket sales from all these people scared they’re going to die.
Probably not record sales but in concert attendance
I think I felt bad for Bobby for about a minute. Yup, that one minute where he left the funeral and it seemed like one snap shot caught a moment when his face read rejection. He screwed up. He may not have been the ONLY negative influence in Whitney’s life, but he was her husband. Your post two weeks ago about saving your spouse or saving your child, you chose spouse. It doesn’t seem like Bobby has been a life saver to either his (ex)spouse or child.
The funeral was nothing out of the ordinary for me with the exception as you noted the celebrities that were in attendance. I think Kevin Costner gave a heart felt sending off for Whitney. Tyler Perry’s comments I think made Jesse Jackson envious as a preacher. And, that was about all I could handle. I had to turn the channel. I hate to cry. It gives me headaches. And, the emotion was pouring out from the television was just a little too overwhelming for me.
I guess I’m the random white person in a black church ceremony because I have been to a few in my time. I was also raised Baptist. So, nothing that went on at that church was out of the ordinary for me — except I was watching it on television instead of being in the church with the family and the absence of the grief stricken, hollering, crying out to the Lord person in the crowd. THAT funeral was a bit more ‘tame’ if you will than some I’ve been to in terms of some people expressing their emotions, and I’m sure everyone of you know what I’m talking about.
There is no way to address what I’m about to write except head on so stop reading now if you can’t handle observation. Our places of worship in America remain painfully segregated and perhaps always will. Until the point in time where anyone of any color can walk into a place of worship and not feel like they are in the wrong place that will be when the world has actually seen every human being as one. JMHO. In addition, this is one thing I absolutely adored about Islam when I attended services at the Masjid. People of every color and race worshiped together and no one ever thought they were in the wrong house of God because all were welcome.
Finally, Champ, stop second guessing yourself on your writing. Write what you feel and unless there is a penalty (financially/security/etc) don’t filter your thoughts. Yes, folks here at VSB might bite at you, but controversial posts make impact. Impact makes people think. Thinking can be a good thing and makes a mind grow beyond where they normally would have stopped and sat idle. Just saying.
#truth
Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Luther Vandross, Prince, EWF, they were all a big part of my life growing up. Their voices were always in my house, always in the car, always in my head. Everyone we encounter on a regular basis is a part of our lives, whether we know them personally or not. I still remember my mailman from my old apartment and how he was sad to hear of us moving. I remember how I was concerned about my homie Rodney at my Safeway when I didn’t see him for a while. Whitney was a part of our lives, mostly a positive part, and we loved what she contributed.
I think she hit a little harder than MJ because she was visibly active. MJ was kinda tryna get himself together in hiding. Whitney was performing and whatnot. Man, I wish Luther was still her, the thick one. He woulda tore that church DOWN. Slayed all up and down the aisles.
I think Bobby will always be blamed for Whit’s drug problem. It’s sad that things happened the way they did, but it’s too late for all that now. There’s nothing anyone can do anymore. So people should just celebrate her life and not dwell on the bad stuff that happened. I feel sorry for her daughter Bobbi-Kris the most because she seemed so close to her mom. Hopefully she don’t go down the same path.
i am very sad about Whitney, she was definitely my favorite singer of all time. As Ive stated before michael was the dance track but Whitney’s music fueled my epic moments. Graduations 6th (greatest love of all and 12grade count on me) themses, prom, breakups (why does it hurt so bad?), I still sing its not right but its okay at karaoke every chance i get.
However i also love bobby and feel like he is given way more credit for whitney’s spiral than he deserves. lets be real whitney was on drugs prior to bobby. Bobby was black people rich, whitney was real people, dope on the dressing room table, on the rider rich.
People say bobby messed up new edition but honestly he knew they were being played they had a #1 album with thier new edition release and he said the most he received was 500.00 The group has even admitted that while how he went about it was wrong,his point overall was right.
lastly It was a toxic relationship for BOTH of them. Yes Whitney was more famous than him but he was a star in his own right when they got together.
the relationship was detrimental to BOTH OF THEM. they werent healthy for each other. if anything they were both victims of fame, ego’s and addiction. They were the sid and nancy of hip hop.
They had that emotional rollercoaster love where the lows where low and the highs were high but few and far between, and similar to their drug addiction they spent their time chasing the “high”s that came fewer and far between…
I definitely feel like Bobby loved her and Whitney loved him but i dont feel like he used and abused her,
come on he could have been done a tell all book after they divorced. He has NEVER spoken out about her or their marriage which I feel is a protective measure.
he has been banned from seeing his daughter (per his statement security wouldnt let him near her at the funeral) and other than a statement clarify whyhe left he has not spoken 1 ill word of her or her family.
Also he is now married and has to take care of his new family, why the hell shouldnt he be performing??
“They were the sid and nancy of hip hop.”
Interesting point…don’t know if I agree, but I get what you’re saying.
Death always absolves the departed of their role in their demise…at least through the burial. I agree that Bobby is the scapegoat all these years after their divorce. Cissy and family are not ready to accept that Whitney was Whitney’s biggest enemy…….as was Michael, and Amy, and Jimmy, and Janis, and Rick, and on and on. There are always enablers or demons or the perils of the music industry. Watch the news daily and some family member is always saying “XXX was a good boy, he just fell in with a bad crowd” ignoring why their loved one would have been so attracted to that crowd or their actions. Yes, based on her account he absolutely mistreated her (I almost died when she talked about him painting eyes on the closet doors to signify “I’m watching you” and some of his other controlling ways) and her family is right to be resentful of that. But Whitney was a willing partner to him for many years and they don’t want to accept that…..and frankly her death is too fresh for a mother to be expected to rationally process that.
“Death always absolves the departed of their role in their demise”
This is going on Twitter in 5… 4… 3…
Anyone else notice how Bobby’s wife and baby have not been seen anywhere near this trainwreck?
Actually I haven’t seen his new wife much anywhere… not just this trainwreck but in general, she seems to be low key
” ‘family who no one wants to fight because there’s like 25737848 of those motherf*ckers and you know if you fight one, you’ll have to fight them all’ for ‘The Winans,’
and then they’d probably pray for you afterward they won the fight. lol
Are you sure you actually have feelings, Champ?
Bobby Brown lost his mother on January 24, 2011
His father on December 10, 2011
His ex-wife died on February 12, 2012
Whitney sang at his mama’s funeral.
I feel for him.
I had no idea she sang at Bobby Brown’s mother’s funeral. Seems like she had put the bad blood behind them. Wonder why the family didn’t?
I feel like Whitney did her own thing and her family had their own goals, too. Whitney always had a space for Bobby that I don’t think her family did. It takes me to something my mom says about my (distant, non-existant) husband. My mom says, “I don’t have to like him, I don’t have to love him, I don’t have to sleep with him. The only thing I have to do is love you and expect for him to do the same.” I always interpret it as if something went wrong between me and him, I know my mom would always choose me and she would want him to know that, too. Doesn’t mean she’s gonna dog him and make him feel bad. But, just to get it clear for him, I am her priority.
Not sure how true that is, but I can get where the family is coming from. I have a feeling that they were never to sure about Bobby. He was always her choice and she stood by it for 13 + years. And he stood by her. However, doesn’t mean her family had to like the choice. They dealt with it. And at this tragic time, I am sure they are still dealing with it as well.
I can understand all that and concur, but I just feel like, even though the family may not have felt him, he may have genuinely loved Whitney and thus, is going “through it” right now too. It’s sad all the way around. If she had died in 2007 I feel like I could understand better the “alleged” slights against Bobby. 5 years after the fact, with Whitney being past it? It’s harder to understand.
I did not know ANY of this. Thank you for sharing. Puts some things in better focus for me.
Wow, didn’t know that. Really speaks to the relationship they had, just weeks before her death. I guess Cissy couldn’t keep them apart in life but was damned if she was going to let them be together at the time of her daughter’s burial. Just sad……
Correction: Whitney died Feb 11, 2012
Champ should Google search Chris Brown Robin Roberts 2009 to read an interview where Brown is clearly remorseful, takes full responsibility for his actions and says how wrong they are. It was one of the first interviews he did after the abuse.
I think it sucks when people say something “hasn’t happened” when the correct response would be that they don’t remember or didn’t see it.
It became real to me that she really is gone when they lifted the casket onto their shoulders and walked out, and when I saw Cissy walking behind the casket.
The hurtful thing about Whitney’s death is that many of us have that one family member who overcame drugs and is alive, and healthy. Yet Whitney did not make it.
1. I didn’t realize there would be a post today. I thought you guys took off on holidays.
2. I didn’t realize that Whitney’s funeral was happening this weekend. Yes, I am disconnected but wouldn’t have watched the funeral to begin with. Funerals shouldn’t be spectacles and I feel that those that are televised are just that.
3. Bobby didn’t cause Whitney’s downfall. She caused it herself. Sad but true. We all make our own decisions and no matter how much influence someone may have over us, it doesnt mean that they have the final say. We do.
4. Whoever said that you had to invite the ex spouse to a funeral to begin with is wrong. Unless both parties are able to become friends after the divorce, they are divorced and there is no longer an obligation to invite that person to anything…again, unless they are able to be cordial afterwards.
5. I was shocked when I heard that Whitney passed but these things happen. All we can do is say our peace and continue living our lives. I wish that the media wasn’t so intertwined with celebrities lives so that they could grieve on their own. Can you just imagine how much worse your problems would be if they were televised and put out there for everyone else to see.
6. I’m an episcopal and 4 hours in church is ridiculous. You lose me after 1 hr. But that was Whitneys background growing up and that was where she started so I hope that the service was fitting for her.
7. Funerals are for the families, not for the person that has passed away. Ultimately, it is our chance to say goodbye.
About #6, I see where you’re coming from. My dad’s family is Episcopalian, so when one of my cousin’s on that side passed, we naturally had an Episcopalian service. My Baptist-raised wife was surprised that we were in and out of there in 45 minutes. On the flip side, I’ve been to Baptist funerals so long that I had to go out and take a break for 15 before getting back into it. LOL
I cannot do funerals as it is; I refuse to sit for hours in some church where I’m probably gonna tune out most of what is being said anyway.
If you can’t convey your message in 30 mins with 4 songs, communion, and 3 prayers…I will quit you with the quickness.
A long service is not a sign that you are getting me closer to God. It is a sign that you like to hear yourself speak.
I went to my sister’s church once and was near tears that we were in there for over 3 hrs. I was so distraught and just outright hungry.