After completing the Netflix exclusive four-part docuseries “Sean Combs: The Reckoning,” I definitely have something to share for public discourse.
First and foremost, I want to be very clear that I, in no shape or form, condone or will attempt to defend Sean “Diddy” Combs’ alleged actions. Based on the statements of those who were once close to the fallen mogul, it is easy to perceive him as one of the most godawful, terrible human beings to ever rise to fame in modern times.
But what about them?
Many of the commentators seemed to have willfully condoned, aided, supported, or participated, at least to some extent, in a long list of Combs’ depravedly indifferent choices and wrongdoing they claimed to have witnessed. The question remains, why would they stay in adjacency to someone they say is so incorrigibly morally bankrupt? Make it make sense.
If they really had these overwhelming principled differences with Combs’ personal and professional decisions and actions, why would they choose to continue to remain in his inner circle? Furthermore, why would they remain silent?
This is not to deflect any of the consequences or punishment the once-admired hip-hop icon may rightfully deserve, but to remind that many of the reputed actions taken under his direction were either carried out, supervised, or at least enabled by those who now claim to be victims.
With the exception of alleged sexual assault victim Joi Dickerson-Neal, who I find extraordinarily believable, many of the “witnesses,” including Kirk Burrowes, Capricorn Clark, Mark Curry, and others who revealed never-before-seen or heard stories, continued to stand by him long after these events.
What’s my point, you ask? It appears to many of the contributors, at least in proximity to those purported appalling moments, that the juice was worth the squeeze.
While Diddy is portrayed as the central villain throughout the four-part docuseries, most of those involved are far from heroes. At best, they were opportunists who, in their own words, witnessed these atrocities and did or said nothing.
They didn’t care about Kim Porter’s broken heart, Cassie Ventura’s brutal beatings, Biggie’s funeral expenses, the rumored attempt on Kid Cudi’s life, or the extensive collection of other alleged bad deeds. They turned a blind eye because they were looking out for themselves.
Only now, when it serves their interests (for revenge, attention, profit, or any possible combination of two or all three), do they come forward.
Forgive me if I hold my applause.
Be’n Original
