...or does it seem that Jay-Z has complete control in his relationship with Beyonce. I mean, She looks like a scared child or lost puppy when she's with him. Maybe that because he's got 99 problems, but a bitch ain't one, holla!

No, Janfriend, it's not just you.

I've been thinking for years that something's amiss in the image of that relationship (I don't pretend to know the real dynamic).

Anyone content to parade his girlfriend around like a prostitute (while playing, arguably, the role of a pimp) has some serious issues. The same is true about a woman who'd continually subject herself to that game.

However, truthfully, the resulting image is just an extension of their individual images. Beyonce's been "hoeing it up" for years. Jay-Z's been "big pimping" for just as long. Maybe, in some sick, deplorable way, they satisfy a reciprocal need in some shared street fantasy.

If that were the private relationship of a private couple, I'd be more understanding. But that these two have a wide impact on children (parental involvement notwithstanding) bugs me.

'Course, truth be told, I've been racking my brain to find a way to persuade Norah Jones to dump Lee for me -- ever since I caught her in concert at the Grand Ole Opry. (hey, that rhymed )

So, my opinion's worth less than .

Well, what we got to take into consideration is the fact that Beyonce may prefer an made who is in control. Jay is trying to smooth out his thug persona by becoming business man and that's great. Eventhough Beyonce hair/ outfits are overthe top, I still give her a liscence to be flashy-She is young and she needs to dispaly her body while she can b/c as said on Tavis, nobody likes to look at old meat.

I think it's Alright. Remember Jay is From NYC and Beyonce what is she from Cali? But I think it's Alright. Ya know she's even talkin kinda slang lately gettin more STREET. She's Beautiful and she Loves him. I don't think she's Scared at all. he looks/seems Al;right also. Just an IMAGE. She should wear whatever she wants such a Beauty.I think the guy on the BET awards was OUTTA Line saying something Bout JaY Z being with Beyonce. He was a Jerk!
[Edited 9/8/04 0:27am]

well, I'm from the D.C. area. Does that give me the right to be disrespectful to women? Geography is irrelevant, to me. There's an element of respect that's missing from their little costume act.

Why, a number of women would grab me by the ear if they saw me trying to pull that mess with my girlfriend. (My mom and grandma included ).

Love is beautiful. But love that says, "Baby, you're my queen. Cover up before we go out on the town," that's downright righteous. That's that love that says, "God, bless us as we try to honor You."

That's that Proverbs 31 stuff, the washing with the Word stuff. The Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee kinda thing. That Song of Solomon stuff. That Christ and His Bride the Church stuff.

The thing that says, "Let's find a preacha and put it on paper!!!"

The thing that says, "Heaven help the brother who thinks he has reason to call you a hoe, and Lord help me if I contribute to that reason."

The thing that says, " I won't let other people debase you, nor will I play a role in doing so, sister. That's how I'm loving you, sister."

No, no, no, I say it's deeper than the excuse of where you grew up or the realities of what you feel "grown enough" to do.

Fact of the matter is Sean and Beyonce probably know better, deep down. But, they think it's cute to dress and act like they do in public, because they're rich and surrounded by folks who probably won't talk to 'em straight.

But, see, love isn't about exploiting the person you're dating. It's about helping them and letting them help you, and both of you trying to uplift the other.

That's love. And, I'm not sure Beyonce & Jay-Z have it, if they have to roll that way.

What a shame. They don't know what they're missing.

Peace.

Zelaira said:

Beyonce is from Houston Texas.....

Namepeace, I dig everything you just said.

My two cents: I'm learning to say: If you like it, I love it. If women continuously let themselves get played like that, it must make them happy so I ain't gonna be upset by it anymore.

Well, I'm glad that I'm not alone in this one. I can't stand Jay-Z. I think he's EXTREMELY over-rated and I have never been able to see what Beyonce sees in a man like that. I'm also surprised that her parents would condone a relationship with him. He seems completely hung up on himself he definitely likes to act the Pimp. She could do so much better than the likes of him IMHO

She looked like someone who is getting beaten. Maybe there are some people hear who have been in abusive relationships that can tell me if that's the look a person has. She looked clueless

Janfriend said:

well,both of them seem like naturally reserved people off stage so its hard to say how they really are alone as a couple.

TheOrgerFormerlyKnownAs said:

She called me Namepeace.
She called me Namepeace.

Sometimes I forget they are together, because they just don't give off that couple vibe. Something's out of place.