A couple of days ago I was having a discussion with my girlfriends about the highly controversial show “Basketball Wives.” I sat back for a while and allowed the flow of the conversation to take its course attentively listening to everyone’s critiques and criticism of what they had viewed on the show. The conversation carried on for about 20 minutes as they bashed these women about how they are “so stupid” and “they’re not even wives” and “they’re all just gold diggers.” Unmoved by any of the things being stated I sat quietly until one particular comment was voiced…”I mean they are professional basketball players do they really expect for them to be faithful?”
That one statement alone sent me over the top as I thought about how society has brain-washed everyone into thinking that because you hold a certain status or title you are exempt from being a conscientious person who reaps the adverse circumstances of careless decisions. So let me get this straight, because you play a professional sport this means you get a pass from God which states you don’t have to be faithful, regardless of the fact that you took an oath in your marital vows stating that you would in fact be faithful and “forsake all others?” That’s the biggest bunch of foolery I’ve ever heard in my life!
So I asked my friend, hypothetically, “Why should I expect for my husband to cheat on me just because he plays ball?” Her response was “Because he has a lot of money, travels a lot, and basically can have any woman he wants.” Well in that case if he can have any woman he wants and he chose me, would’t that translate into me being equally capable of having any man I want? So why is it that I’m EXPECTED to hold true to my vows but he’s not? This question continues to baffles me as I notice how society accepts the infidelity of men solely based on status and capital. If that is the case then we might as well throw CEOs, politicians, all entertainers, producers, overseas contractors, investors, and successful business owners on the “fidelity exemption list” as well.
Do I believe that gold diggers exist? Yes. Do I believe that all females that date athletes are gold diggers? No. Although having a slightly biased opinion based on the fact that living in the DMV and meeting a professional athlete is just like meeting the local hood-rich “dope boy”—just go to the club—I’m not convinced that ALL women that date professional athletes are gold diggers. However, just as we are all human whether man or woman, once you are introduced into a certain “higher class” lifestyle it’s hard to break free from it. This is what I see in Jennifer (the only one on the show that is still married) who claims that she has had constant issues with her husband’s infidelity. In my eyes that is a for sure deal breaker! I don’t care how good the “good-life” is, if you can’t respect me and our marriage enough to exemplify some self-control then I am OUT! Staying in a situation where you KNOW your husband is not being monogamous only adds to risk you’re putting yourself at. Sometimes you have to decide what’s more important to you—happiness and peace of mind or a white Range Rover and Gucci purse.
-Lusty
