WHEN SEX SCANDAL GOES BAD: Bye Bye Pleasure P.

Pleasure P is a semi-well known artist in the R&B world.  Broke out a couple of years back with a group called Pretty Ricky.  But he has since begun a solo career, which had been seemingly taken off last summer.  His singles were all over urban radio stations, and his album was getting heard by a lot of people.  However, right as his success was becoming more evident, the media was showing him more and more on the gossip blogs, he was getting a lot of television time, ect… a story came out claiming that he was involved in a child molestation charge a few years back.  Not only was it child molestation, but it was claimed that he had molested his own Nephew!

 Now, this is when sex scandal goes bad.  Not only was this an example of the popular notion “all publicity is good publicity” but this is an example of career ending scandal.  Pleasure P is no longer in ANY gossip blogs, he is pictured nowhere, and I haven’t heard one of his songs on the radio since the incident came out.  Now Pleasure P is no Michael Jackson, people did not have a deep-rooted love for Pleasure P as they did for Michael, therefore he literally dropped out of the lime light, where as Michael was stigmatized until his death.

 

Here is a story from a gossip blog about Pleasure P: http://www.inquisitr.com/50592/pleasure-p-child-molestation/

Here is a Katt Williams clip on Michael Jackson before he died: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_h1euQKJsr4&feature=PlayList&p=D8559850805CB6C4&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=52

In the Ellis Cashmore piece on “Thriving on Scandal,” he categorizes reactions to scandal in four main categories: condemnation, indifference, resentment, and approval.  He also explains how the dominant reaction is depends on the context of the scandal With that being said it is clear to see the reaction of our culture, on child molestation especially incest molestation or homo- molestation.  When celebrities are accused of rape, their careers aren’t necessarily over, hence Kobe Bryant, Ben Rothesburger.  But when celebrities are accused of child molestation, even if exonerated they are stigma, if not forgotten about.  I think scandal gives an interesting perspective on American ideals, and morality.  I think when it comes to children and scandal, we as a culture that does not accept any possibility of wrongdoing.  And when that is the context of scandal, our reaction is automatic condemnation because children have the sympathetic appeal that sex does not, and homophobia does not.  Will Pleasure P get his career back in light of this incident?  Sorry, but I think its over for you buddy.