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By Caprice Coleman
I planned on doing this “Dose” about something else. I wrote it, but with so many events happening, it just didn’t fit.
I went through a list of current events to write about. There was a time when I had to check myself to make sure that whatever I delivered was informative and not out of anger and frustration.
I chose to speak on DMX, who passed away last week at 50.
The rapper, who is famous for so many songs and his stand on religion and faith, died after suffering a heart attack that was preceded by an alleged drug overdose. I sat back and watched how so many Americans and people around the world embraced him without slandering his name.
Many defended him, knowing he was introduced to drugs at a young age from a mentor he looked up to. I showed support for him myself.
Then I started to think: Do I have the same energy I had for DMX towards people I know personally — people who are facing the same issues? He is a legend in our eyes, but I’m sure there are people in his circle who have witnessed his not-so-legendary side and maybe even suffered because of it.
I felt hypocritical that I could have so much care and compassion for someone I’ve never met, but not the same for a family member or friend going through similar issues.
It’s easy for us on the outside looking in to say someone should “just say no” or “just stop.” However, it’s a lot easier said than done.
No one says, “I want to be an addict when I grow up.” Whether it’s from experimenting or from looking for something to pick them up during hard times, it happened. For some, once it happens, it takes over their lives. Even when they want to stop they can’t.
I would imagine the hardest part for a person trying to be clean is knowing that every day is a fight they may win or lose. There are no trophies for the days they win, but there’s turmoil for the ones they don’t.
I want to bring awareness to this while it’s fresh so we can really look at ourselves. I’m sure if we can find love and forgiveness for an entertainment mogul, surely we can find the same for our fellow man.
Just something to think about. I call it a dose of Colemanism.
Caprice Coleman is ROH’s color analyst and has been wrestling for more than 20 years. He also is an ordained minister and motivational speaker. A Dose of Colemanism appears every Thursday.
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