Why I’m So Mad Son?

What up Schemers, as most of you know or should know by now, investigators have found that local bodegas and gas stations have been selling counterfeit condoms. The simple fact that this discovery has not brought about more global coverage infuriates me. Allow me to humor you for a few moments as to possibilities why this story is not on the front pages.

The Product - The condoms that are the issue of discussion are Magnum’s, which is no secret, predominantly geared to African American males. The Source - Bodegas and local gas stations, which once again, heavily populated inner city areas. The Leak - UPN News, which if you live in the tri-state area, we also define as “n” news. No need to bring in Columbo for this one, it is very evident who this problem effects most and why there hasn’t been more outrage over the issue. But to be honest, why I’m really mad is just piggy backing off of what my big homie (B Fieldboy) said, where are Oprah and Al Sharpton now?

Without trying to turn this into a preaching session, this exemplifies exactly what is wrong with the black community. Not only do we continue to focus on the wrong issues (hip hop), but we also are always waiting for “the man,” to save us. People look back to our 1st issue, AIDS in the African American Community 1) African Americans make up 50% of all reported AIDS cases in the U.S., 2) Black Women account for about 64% of AIDS cases reported among women. If this is not enough for us to stand up and take accountability for informing our communities, what do we need?

In researching this article I found that this problem is not just in NY, there have been cases in parts of Northern N.J. as well as Detroit too. My question is where are these vendors obtaining these products? According to the merchant on the UPN clip, his supplier was a local street vendor. Are you serious? I also read an article, from a woman who said that people need to watch there word usage in regards to counterfeit and fake. She insisted on breaking down counterfeit to mean just not the real version, and said that the condoms still work. She went on to analogize condoms to jeans. Now she explained why she substituted jeans for condoms, for the sake of her illustration, however…..this display of ignorance leaves me almost speechless. So I felt the need to explain it a little more in depth. Condoms, represent what could be a life changing event, from pregnancy to STD’s, we’re not talking about clothing or other products for that matter. For the record I am a dollar store connoisseur, however, you won’t see me purchasing an oil filter at Family Dollar. Ladies, how many of you would purchase a home pregnancy test from there? My point simply is certain things you can’t buy cheap. I’m going to leave you with two questions to deliberate over, (1) How many years could this problem have possibly existed, and (2) Who is to say that only Mangum condoms are the counterfeits at the local shops? Scheme, in regards to your life, you get what you pay for.