via A&E
Reality TV just got REAL on Thursday nights with a updated version of a throwback classic. The 70's were before my time, but in 1978 a documentary by the name of Scared Straight was released. The format consisted of a group of juvenile offenders that were escorted on a “field trip” in to experience prison in order to “scare them straight”. The documentary was filmed at Rahway State Prison in New Jersey. For most of the teens it was an eye opening experience (so they said).
Since that time there has been numerous versions of Scared Straight. The latest installment is brought to you by A&E and is called BEYOND SCARED STRAIGHT. I actually like the show. It shows that living a life of crime is not glamorous once you are confined to prison. The show also highlights the effects of broken homes. Most of the teens on the first episode expressed that there were no father figures in the home. They were acting out which included using drugs, fighting, stealing, and etc. One teen named Cecilia had the opposite family situation. She resided with her father and stepmother, because her biological mother was in and out of the prison system. During the visit Cecilia came face to face with her mother. Her mother pleaded with her to change her ways before it was too late.
Last week’s episode focused on the males and was filmed at Jessup Correctional Facility. It was brought up by #oneofmyfollowers (twitter talk) that if someone (a man) was watching and his son was on the show they should be smacked (and embarrassed). Could you imagine? A man who has no relationship with his child, casually watching the show and his son is being taught a hard lesson about life by a group of strangers. It would not surprise me one bit if some of those teens never even met there fathers. The absentee role is often the “norm” in communities across the nation.
A song that relates to relationships between teens and absentee fathers is one of my favorite Jay Z songs “Meet the Parents”. The song is like an onion; you have to peel back the layers to get to the point. However, if you follow along by the end it all comes together. It highlights the plight of young love, which leads to a young teen growing up without his father. When fathers are absent some teens beat the odds while others turn to a life of crime. As we come to find out when you live a life of crime “you either end up in jail or dead ”. This song is no different. A powerful yet simple message that calls all fathers to step up and raise their kids. Fathers need to take heed before their children end up on an episode of Beyond Scared Straight or worst.
An excerpt from the song:
In “Meet the Parents” Jay raps,
See Mike at thirty-two was still on the scene
Had a son fifteen that he never saw twice
Sure he saw him as an infant, but he disowned him like
If that was my son, he would look much different.
See I'm light-skinnded and that baby there's dark
So it's momma's baby; poppa's maybe."
Mike was still crazy out there runnin the streets (fuck niggaz want?)
Had his old reliable thirty-eight gun in his reach
It's been fourteen years, him and Isis ain't speak
He runnin around like life's a peach, 'til one day
He approached this thug that had a mean mug
And it looked so familiar that he called him "Young Cuz"
Told him, get off the strip but the boy ain't budge (fuck you)
Instead he pulled out a newer thirty-eight snub
He clearly had the drop but the boy just paused (hold up)
There was somethin in this man's face he knew he seen before
It's like, lookin in the mirror seein hisself more mature
And he took it as a sign from the almighty Lord
You know what they say about he who hesitates in war
(What's that?) He who hesitates is lost
He can't explain what he saw before his picture went blank
The old man didn't think he just followed his instinct
Six shots into his kin, out of the gun
Niggaz be a father, you're killin your son
Six shots into his kin, out of the gun
Niggaz be a father, you killin your sons
Meet the Parents….
Meet the Parents available on Blueprint 2 Gift and the Curse