9
comments
|
Monday, May 04, 2009
If you've been watching MTV's new "Fame" style reality series Taking The Stage which follows the lives of a group of talented high school students at Cincinnati's School for the Creative and Performing Arts then you're already aware of the romance between black gay couple Malik and Matthew.
I wrongly assumed after watching the first couple of episodes that MTV would never develop the story line between two black gay teenagers and quickly dismissed the show until Noah's Arc creator Patrik Ian Polk reeled me back in via Twitter over the weekend. On this particular episode Malik and Matthew decide to take a break from their relationship, but it's the unconditional love and support from Malik's mother Rhonda that provides the standout moment of the episode.
(Full text below)
Rhonda:Where's Matthew I haven't seen him for a while? What's going on with him, he's ok? Come on now, he's normally over here...this is his second home. Where's he been?
Malik: We're not talking.
Rhonda:You're not talking? Uh oh. Wait a minute...what happened?
Malik: Me and Matthew broke up today.
Rhonda: What? Aww man Malik I'm sorry.
Malik: I don't really know what to do cause I've constantly tried to fix it but it's bigger than me. The situation is bigger than me. I don't have a problem. I don't know what problem he has with me.
Rhonda: Are you okay? I'm sorry that happened.
Malik: It's really hard because I keep trying to deny that I miss him but I do.
Rhonda: What doesn't kill you will make you stronger, and I believe that to be true. I really do.
Now if that doesn't warm your heart then I don't know what will. At almost thirty years old and two years into a committed relationship I could never imagine my mother having this conversation with me. Malik is truly blessed to have such a compassionate and accepting mother.
Get into the full episode here.
I've been told Malik is a fan of this blog so hopefully we'll get a chance to sit down with this talented and courageous brother in the near future.
9 Comments:
I've been wondering what happened to the gay couple on that show, thanks for letting me know...those images of him and his mother are POWERFUL!!!
May 04, 2009 11:40 AM
I LOVE your blog more and more each day! Keep up the good informative work and please continue to challenge the establishment!
May 04, 2009 12:18 PM
OH! I stopped watching the show also once I no longer saw their relationship on screen. I have to get in NOW!
May 04, 2009 12:24 PM
Glad you're back on the program, Darian! I can't believe I almost missed this show entirely! I mean, on the whole, it's silly "The Hills" type drama, but at least there's real social relevance and a predominantly black cast!!! Love it!
My fvorite moment was when Malik's boyfriend was talking to Jasmine and the other girls about his relationship as she was talking about her relationship with Malik. The kids were so natural and open and accepting with/of each other. Very nice to see teens like that.
xxoo, PIP
May 04, 2009 12:56 PM
anytime you see acceptance on a level like this.its always a powerful thing to see.i hope more people get on board and take advantage of acting like this in their daily lives
May 04, 2009 1:31 PM
Me and my friends were so in AWE of that episode when we saw it. This is a first to see such a young black gay man on television. The way his mother was comforting him after the break up was so inspirational and touching to me.
May 04, 2009 1:59 PM
i have had the opportunity to meet matthew here in cincinnati. it was a chance meeting...long before the show. he is a pleasant young man, very mannerly and i enjoyed my conversation with him (which was mostly about colleges). i think both malik and matthew are good kids; i hope that no matter what happens they remain friends. i, too, was wondering how (and if) MTV would show their relationship. i'm glad that they showed some...and kudos to malik's mother!
May 04, 2009 4:36 PM
HEY I LOVE THE BLOG AND I LOVE THE SHOW. ME AND MY SISTER WATCH IT RELIGIOUSLY! BUT I WAS WONDERING IF YOU CAN ADDRESS THE FACT THAT BET COULD NEVER AND WOULD NEVER SHOW SOMETHING LIKE THIS. WHICH IS SAD CAUSE THEY STILL GOT THE "KYLE" TYPES!
May 05, 2009 2:11 AM
After reading your posting, I wanted to share that my mother has exemplified this same kind of unconditional love, understanding, and empathy to the dissolving of a 2 and a half year relationship. It's wonderful that MTV, Malik and his mother were brave enough to have this shown. And for those of us who may not have the same kind of exposure, these kind of interactions between parents and children in our community do existed. We, as children and parents, must work to create this aesthetic. It will take work, patience, and, more importantly, love.
May 05, 2009 12:23 PM
Post a Comment
<< Home