Marion Barry is back on crack
Marion Barry violated the terms of his probation by testing positive for cocaine. But nobody should be surprised. Because Barry was just doing what junkies do.
I expressed utter contempt when he began posturing as a “born-again” politician. And I was dismayed that so many people, especially Blacks, thought he was sincere.
Because it was obvious that Barry’s enablers were covering up his drug use. And I didn’t need access to the results of his drug tests to know this.
All anyone had to do was look at his physical appearance. Barry looked like he was either on crack or suffering the ravages of HIV/AIDS, or both!
Marion Barry is using religion like crack
Again, his relapse was all too predictable. But the most galling thing is the way he’s using religion to cover up his crack use.
Black folks in particular should know better. Yet many of them are applauding his born-again claptrap. That is, his testimony that he’s a rehabilitated, drug-free, child of God.
The FBI caught him on tape doing it (crack that is) with his mistress for Christ’s sake! And he didn’t even have the balls to man up. Instead then sitting mayor of the nation’s capital exclaimed
Oh shit…Bitch set me up!
Blacks still support him
The only thing that explains this kind of support is a political form of battered voter syndrome. It was dismaying enough that they voted him to a seat on the influential DC Council. But they even nominated him to challenge DC’s respected (Black) mayor, Anthony Williams.
And that’s the real tragedy. Because many Blacks have vested their faith and hopes in Barry’s leadership. And they seem hell-bent on following him down a primrose path into political purgatory.
Not to mention that he’s currently a ward of the prison system. A judge sentenced him to probation on tax evasion charges for failing to pay taxes for the past 6 years.
And, only weeks ago, he reported being robbed at gunpoint in his home. No doubt one of his crack-smoking homeboys targeted him.
Marion Barry’s health
Barry should be in prolonged, mandatory, custodial rehab. His life depends on a judge ordering this.
Drug use is ravaging Barry’s health. Again, he looks sick. He checked himself into hospital yesterday for “hypertension.” But everyone knows he did so only to avoid arrest for violating the terms of his probation.
But his health is clearly deteriorating.
Legacy Note: With over 5,600 posts spanning 20 years, I am easily the most prolific blogger on the most eclectic array of topics on the web. That makes The iPINIONS Journal an unparalleled archive of informed political and cultural commentary. Visit the ARCHIVES section in the sidebar or search by topic. You won’t find a more consistent, independent voice on world affairs.
Rachel says
OMG! I can’t believe this. I thought there was something fishy about that whole robbery thing. He’s pathetic!
Anonymous says
I admire your courage my brother. I think you hit the nail on the head about problems with African American leaders in this country in so many ways in this article. We need more brothers like you speaking truth in this way to power and to those who blindly support them. Most of us are too scared of being called uncle toms or race traitors for doing this.
Anonymous says
Amen to the previous comment. AH, I think you show remarkable restraint when discussing this matter. As a community, the due date has long since passed on our need to monitor, police and hold accountable our leadership and more importantly ourselves. Unfortunately, I feel it’s our inability to hold ourselves accountable that is at the root of some many of our problems as a community. It was 15 years ago that Mr. Barry was first exposed as a substance abuser. Now at the age of 69 and allegedly still a drug user, he maintains a seat in government..? Is this the best we can do?
Rage…….
Ric says
Rage….
I still agree with you on AH’s restraint. I also think that blacks who voted for Barry after that 1990 betrayal are as pathetic as rachel thinks Barry is.
But after reading the article over a few times, I began to see that in his restraint AH expresses more outrage, justified indignation and most important an informative and constructive view of the situation than I ever could in my blind rage…no pun intended.
I guess that’s why he’s such a good writer and we just comment.