Remember this?

Now look where he is now:

Check out his facebook page. He updates his status regularly. He seems like a sweetheart!

And here's another reason why he's having 15 minutes:

i wish i could stop watching this, but i just can't! i think i need a treatment program!

there is something disturbing about the fact that a news report about a rape attempt only ends up focusing on a young man in what seems to be an impoverished area, wearing a doo rag. The situation surrounding his appearance on tv is not funny, and his willingness to be protective of his sister, too, is not funny.

And yet a mix is made of what he says..and people laugh at him, totally forgetting the reason behind his being on tv. at all............

I know it's totally un-PC but I love the song! It's so catchy and funky, lol.

Here's the full version:

http://www.youtube.com/wa...KsVSBhSwJg

What's a bit disturbing is that it was made by those annoying young white dudes in suits who are probably laughing their asses off at this poor guy's misfortune. But the way I look at it is that he seems okay with the publicity (he and his sister put themselves in front of the camera after all) and if they can make a few dollars off his 15 minutes of fame then power to them. They deserve it after what they went through. And even though I agree with bluesbaby that the focus was off kilter, this hoopla did after all shine light on the problems in that area too which might bring about improvements in the long run, so it's not all bad.

Indeed

bluesbaby said:

there is something disturbing about the fact that a news report about a rape attempt only ends up focusing on a young man in what seems to be an impoverished area, wearing a doo rag. The situation surrounding his appearance on tv is not funny, and his willingness to be protective of his sister, too, is not funny.

And yet a mix is made of what he says..and people laugh at him, totally forgetting the reason behind his being on tv. at all............

retina said:

I know it's totally un-PC but I love the song! It's so catchy and funky, lol.

Here's the full version:

http://www.youtube.com/wa...KsVSBhSwJg

What's a bit disturbing is that it was made by those annoying young white dudes in suits who are probably laughing their asses off at this poor guy's misfortune. But the way I look at it is that he seems okay with the publicity (he and his sister put themselves in front of the camera after all) and if they can make a few dollars off his 15 minutes of fame then power to them. They deserve it after what they went through. And even though I agree with bluesbaby that the focus was off kilter, this hoopla did after all shine light on the problems in that area too which might bring about improvements in the long run, so it's not all bad.

What have we heard, though, about help coming to that area or the services provided? I agree with you on what good could come of it, but the reality is, it won't.

We gone find you

we gone find you

So u can run and tell that

run and tell that

run and tell that

Homeboy home home Homeboy

bluesbaby said:

there is something disturbing about the fact that a news report about a rape attempt only ends up focusing on a young man in what seems to be an impoverished area, wearing a doo rag. The situation surrounding his appearance on tv is not funny, and his willingness to be protective of his sister, too, is not funny.

And yet a mix is made of what he says..and people laugh at him, totally forgetting the reason behind his being on tv. at all............

Was just about to post to this effect. Thanks.

"Ima beat his ass, and call the police while I'm beating his ass" Run and tell that home boy!

xCece said:

We gone find you

we gone find you

So u can run and tell that

run and tell that

run and tell that

Homeboy home home Homeboy

ThreadBare said:

bluesbaby said:

there is something disturbing about the fact that a news report about a rape attempt only ends up focusing on a young man in what seems to be an impoverished area, wearing a doo rag. The situation surrounding his appearance on tv is not funny, and his willingness to be protective of his sister, too, is not funny.

And yet a mix is made of what he says..and people laugh at him, totally forgetting the reason behind his being on tv. at all............

Was just about to post to this effect. Thanks.

I heard his interview with Jacque Reid for the Tom Joyner Morning Show. He just strikes me as a simple (as in uncomplicated) fellow with good intentions who's feels special (in a positive, hometown guy makes good with instant celebrity-kinda-way) now that media attention is being lavished on him. But there's also something altruistic in his nature; you can tell he really wants to ride this media wave to call attention to the crime and living conditions of the projects of Huntsville. He mentioned that the police aren't even moving on this case because they're backlogged with these kinds of cases, understaffed, underpaid...and another attempted rape happened in the same housing project within 24 hours.

[Edited 8/16/10 4:36am]

Ottensen said:

ThreadBare said:

Was just about to post to this effect. Thanks.

I heard his interview with Jacque Robinson for the Tom Joyner Morning Show. He just strikes me as a simple (as in uncomplicated) fellow with good intentions who's feels special (in a positive, hometown guy makes good with instant celebrity-kinda-way) now that media attention is being lavished on him. But there's also something altruistic in his nature; you can tell he really wants to ride this media wave to call attention to the crime and living conditions of the projects of Huntsville. He mentioned that the police aren't even moving on this case because they're backlogged with these kinds of cases, understaffed, underpaid...and another attempted rape happened in the same housing project within 24 hours.

sad.

Ottensen said:

ThreadBare said:

Was just about to post to this effect. Thanks.

I heard his interview with Jacque Robinson for the Tom Joyner Morning Show. He just strikes me as a simple (as in uncomplicated) fellow with good intentions who's feels special (in a positive, hometown guy makes good with instant celebrity-kinda-way) now that media attention is being lavished on him. But there's also something altruistic in his nature; you can tell he really wants to ride this media wave to call attention to the crime and living conditions of the projects of Huntsville. He mentioned that the police aren't even moving on this case because they're backlogged with these kinds of cases, understaffed, underpaid...and another attempted rape happened in the same housing project within 24 hours.

That's the impression I got from Antoine too. Sad about the lack of police work!

bluesbaby said:

Ottensen said:

I heard his interview with Jacque Reid for the Tom Joyner Morning Show. He just strikes me as a simple (as in uncomplicated) fellow with good intentions who's feels special (in a positive, hometown guy makes good with instant celebrity-kinda-way) now that media attention is being lavished on him. But there's also something altruistic in his nature; you can tell he really wants to ride this media wave to call attention to the crime and living conditions of the projects of Huntsville. He mentioned that the police aren't even moving on this case because they're backlogged with these kinds of cases, understaffed, underpaid...and another attempted rape happened in the same housing project within 24 hours.

sad.

It is. He also mentioned that now people are contacting him for appearances, and what he's praying is that it will be his family's ticket out of the ghetto into a safe neighborhood where they can live without being afraid all the time.

Ottensen said:

ThreadBare said:

Was just about to post to this effect. Thanks.

I heard his interview with Jacque Reid for the Tom Joyner Morning Show. He just strikes me as a simple (as in uncomplicated) fellow with good intentions who's feels special (in a positive, hometown guy makes good with instant celebrity-kinda-way) now that media attention is being lavished on him. But there's also something altruistic in his nature; you can tell he really wants to ride this media wave to call attention to the crime and living conditions of the projects of Huntsville. He mentioned that the police aren't even moving on this case because they're backlogged with these kinds of cases, understaffed, underpaid...and another attempted rape happened in the same housing project within 24 hours.

[Edited 8/16/10 4:36am]

I totally buy him coming from a place of seriousness.

That he's become a media caricature -- America loves flamboyant gay black dudes, after all -- overshadows what had him so passionate to begin with. Namely, protecting his family and bringing the sex offender to justice.

That's the part that gets to me, misappropriation of an assault as a pop culture moment and punchline.

When the suffering of the marginalized becomes entertainment, America should worry for its soul.

Cinnie said:

Ottensen said:

I heard his interview with Jacque Reid for the Tom Joyner Morning Show. He just strikes me as a simple (as in uncomplicated) fellow with good intentions who's feels special (in a positive, hometown guy makes good with instant celebrity-kinda-way) now that media attention is being lavished on him. But there's also something altruistic in his nature; you can tell he really wants to ride this media wave to call attention to the crime and living conditions of the projects of Huntsville. He mentioned that the police aren't even moving on this case because they're backlogged with these kinds of cases, understaffed, underpaid...and another attempted rape happened in the same housing project within 24 hours.

That's the impression I got from Antoine too. Sad about the lack of police work!

Seems like evreybody loses in a scenario like this. The police are underpaid, understaffed, in a town rife with violent criminal cases. The law abiding citizens have little to no protection for themselves, it really is a mess. What I get from Antoine's lashing out on the news and the reception he's gotten is almost like a revival of the "Neighborhood Block Watch" movement that was prevalent in American neighborhoods in the 70's. When I was little, the neighbors used to band together and post an identifying sign in their windows called a "Block Watch" sign, to let anyone with any crazy ideas know that they were a fortified unit on the lookout for funny bizness. It looks like youtube could become the 21st century version of that.

[Edited 8/16/10 5:31am]