Why argue Combs?

So when I heard that Sean Combs (aka P.Diddy and Puff Daddy) was speaking at Howard University for graduation,  I was excited. I do not even go to Howard University nor will I be present at the commencement. I was more excited at the fact the more urban African-American is getting the respect that they deserve on a larger scale especially from a prominent HBCU. There are plenty of young blacks that may not have the ideal background that makes you think of "successful" people but they cut against the grain and have made their way. With the positive changes that the race is going through, despite what mainstream media would like you to think, the time is now to embrace the different kinds of people we have to lead. Some may complain about the fact that he raps or may have had legal troubles but many people have had issues.

 Sean Combs went from an intern to a multi-million dollar entrepreneur and we were able to see that transformation first hand. We saw the biggie issues. We saw the J.Lo and Shyne issue. We saw the Limited Edition Sean John Lincoln Navigator. We were wearing those super expensive Sean John jeans jackets and watching Making the Band on MTV. We saw Bad Boy lose good artist and fade into the background. While Bad Boy was fading Sean Combs was throwing All-White parties that welcomed Hollywood's Elite (not just black Hollywood). Today, Sean Combs has his own channel (Revolt). This channel employs a lot of young blacks that have made the decision to get educated and gives them something to be proud of. There are many black businesses and businessmen that wouldn't dare to do the same. Diddy has 50/50 ownership of the Ciroc Vodka through Sean Combs Wine and Spirits with Diageo. Ciroc Vodka was not started by Combs but when he was brought on he transformed a 50,000-case per year vodka into the nearly 2 million per year vodka according to forbes.com. Ciroc, which was the Official Drink of Grammy Weekend and the Official drink of the NBA recently is one of the best alcoholic beverages on the market. Combs has also been involved in another 50/50 deal with Diageo for DeLeón Tequila that will be priced anywhere from $120-$1000.

As we are critical of each other and each other's past, we have to look at the big picture. 50 years ago we weren't able to drink at every fountain and had to sit at the back of the bus but today someone like P.Diddy can throw the final party for the Grammy's with all of Hollywood's Elite. For some people at Howard University to have an issue amazes me because he did attend that institution for 2 years. He donates and represents for the institution. Would it be an issue for Bill Gates, Steve Jobs or Mark Zuckerberg? They also dropped out of college and became very successful. What makes them so different? I feel like that gives a sign of self hatred in race. How can you can be so critical of things that occur in someone's life that you overlook everything positive that they have done? Let that man speak. Combs will be awarded an honorary doctorate in humanities at the commencement. Other people scheduled to receive honorary degrees are CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer; Clive Callender, a surgery professor at Howard’s medical school and the first doctor to perform a transplant at Howard University Hospital; jazz artist Benny Golson; and PepsiCo chairman and chief executive Indra Nooyi. Please comment your thoughts?

Quinn Young
Urban Echelon Magazine and Blogspot