www.trinidadandtobagonews.com/blog
Danah Alleyne before “action” with Akon
Trinicenter.com
Reporters
April 22, 2007
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a response to the many racist comments about the Akon/Danah video clip, especially those that were initially posted on YouTube, among other websites. The two clips that were initially posted on YouTube were removed together with hundreds of racist comments.
Much of the discussion surrounding the Hip-hop/R&B singer Akon’s performance at club Zen on Thursday 12th April, 2007, is really based on racism, unreasoned sexual hang-ups and hypocrisy. The reactions of many who have been buzzing on the radio and the internet are clearly based on their racist and colourist views that paint Akon as a black animal who assaulted a minor and the female as a young, misguided innocent, who was taken advantage of. This is really quite ridiculous. Harsh reactions have also been fuelled by the fact that many knew she was a preacher’s daughter and she was acting contrary to what her father preaches.
Akon and Danah on stage at Zen
Akon is a performer whose act is well known and has been widely publicized on the internet and other entertainment media. His song “Smack That” leaves little to the imagination as to its theme and as part of the performance for that song, he dances, appearing to simulate sex with willing female participants, who voluntarily come onstage to be a part of this act. Fans of his certainly could have been aware of the act as there were videos of similar performances easily available on the internet and on some television shows.
Several females took the stage at Zen that night to be a part of this ‘wining competition’ where it was stated that the winner would win a trip to Africa. Certainly, Zen played up the idea that Akon is from Senegal by having people in African attire doing African drumming at the entrance of the venue and by starting the show with a similar African theme. It is then not surprising that Akon would be tongue-in-cheek and set himself up as the embodiment of Africa and be the ‘prize’ for a young lady who won the competition. They were quite okay with receiving the attention from the crowd, the media and the artiste that would come with that. No one was forced. Furthermore, anyone who has been to a concert, party or event that features a ‘wining competition’ where girls are invited to wine either for the audience or with the male star, should be well aware of what awaits them – a hyper-sexual performance that glorifies the sexuality of the star and can end up being totally humiliating for the female. In light of this it is hard to really say the girl was totally unaware.
Akon and Danah on stage at Zen
The extent of the racism that has pervaded this discussion internationally cannot go unaddressed. The idea of Africans being sexually potent, virile and uncontrollable is one that is part of a whole set of racist assumptions that have been bandied about for centuries about Africans. Some Africans in the Diaspora have inherited these ideas about continental Africans to the point that there is now a distinction, where continental Africans are seen as more ‘undiluted’, more potent and animalistic. Many on internet forums have commented on this issue in very racist ways about African sexual proclivities as a way to condemn the way he danced with the female. The discussion has taken a turn to sound like a replica of plantation and colonial attitudes where the constant fear by the White male population was the violation of their White women by sexually potent and deviant African males. There is a long history of this ‘fear’ that can be traced throughout history and has certainly been expressed up to this day by East Indian groups and spokespersons in Trinidad who claimed at one time that African men were targeting Indian women for rape. These ideas have influenced the way many people have viewed this incident.
In addition, for many, the light-skinned look of the girl defied their own ideas of ‘the kind of girls that do that’, i.e. blacker, poorer ones, and to see their racist ideas of a black, sex-crazed stud brought to life in their vision of Akon was just too much to take. People are often fine with seeing Black females dancing and doing all sorts of things that they may find lewd and inappropriate, as they find it quite normal for them to do so. They, however, find it shocking that a light-skinned one would dance in ways that they deem lewd and furthermore with an African male. This speaks directly to their own racism and colourism and very little about the act itself or about Akon. It suits them to see the light-skinned young female as innocent and blameless and the African hip-hop singer as guilty and licentious regardless of the truth of the matter. Much of the discussion that has been going on the internet is full of such racist sentiments.
Akon and Danah on stage at Zen
The truth is, the female willingly came to a club, dressed in a way that is typical of older females who are used to the club scene, was allowed in, despite what Zen says are its rigid age checks, and willingly volunteered herself to dance on the stage in a competition for a prize and then with a male artiste. Regardless of whether she could have anticipated the kind of dancing that would have ensued, every step leading up to it was as a result of her own choices. The young lady in question was interviewed by TV6 news last night and in her own words she explained how she got carried away and was embarrassed to see herself afterward as the event was over so quickly that she did not realize that was what had happened or how it would have looked. Nowhere did she blame the artist or say she was abused. Nowhere did she chastise him for the way he danced with her and nowhere did she indicate that she was innocent in the affair. She clearly stated that she went to these clubs against her parent’s advice and that while at the time she did not see any big deal in the dance, when the clips hit the internet and she saw it, she then felt embarrassed and ashamed of the hurt she caused her parents and herself. This seemed to me like an honest recognition by an obviously young teenager, now stripped of her revealing outfit, makeup and fingernails, of an impulsive action that resulted in embarrassment for herself and others only after the fact.
The media, however, does seem to be attempting to distort what was said by the teenager or at the very least carrying contradictory reports. In the Guardian story carried today, the headline reads “I Was Cajoled Into Sexy Dance” which is a direct, deliberate distortion attempting to leave the casual reader with the impression that the teen was cajoled into dancing by the artiste Akon. The article continues:
My parents had no clue I was going to the concert or how I was dressed. I told them I was going with my cousins for ice cream. When I left the house I had on a jacket.
This contradicts what was said in the Newsday article, which states:
Danah said two days before the concert, a friend sponsored her a $450 VIP ticket. She said her parents, who were not present at the interview, knew she was going.
Newsday’s article also states:
Danah, daughter of Pastor Dave Alleyne, of the Flaming Word Ministry in Chaguanas, described her ordeal as shocking and humiliating. She insists she and other girls were deceived into entering a dance competition in which the first place winner would receive a trip to Africa.
While in what seems to be a different attitude, the TV6 interview with the girl herself gives the impression that at the time she did not think it was a big deal but it was only afterward when she saw it that she felt embarrassed.
Now I am sure the girl did feel embarrassed after seeing the video and after some members of the public began condemning her dancing, but it is a bit misleading to give the impression that she did not approve of the dancing while she was doing it. It seems to be a fair assessment that she was carried away in the moment, as she said, and did not think of the consequences. This is quite normal for many young people and many older people and in this case is not even a matter of condemnation and censure.
Akon and Danah on stage at Zen
People who have been commenting on this story have been claiming that the dancing was disgusting, lewd and even abusive to the female. Certainly people can claim to be disgusted by certain behavior; that is their right. People tend to express their disgust for many things; sexual expression is one that certainly raises much commentary. However that really is a matter of personal choice for people to decide what is appropriate for them. People are often quite dishonest and find that many things should be banned, including open truthful discussions about racism, colourism and African history, so it is not really smart to buy too many of their arguments about what is appropriate and what is not. The discussion however, becomes distorted because many comments on this matter have certainly been coming from people who don’t support these kind of expressions anyway: from Carnival to Dancehall Passa Passa to even the bare-breasted dancing of a well-respected South African dance troupe that performed in Trinidad a few years ago. Many people who comment on appropriateness of dancing at these kind of events do not even attend such events, concerts, parties or performances, and like many of those who have commented unfairly on the Akon concert, they have no real legitimate way of judging whether this is normal, whether many females do volunteer to go on stage for these wining competitions or not. They are quite content to blame Akon; an artist who was doing the job that he was paid to do by the nightclub, who should certainly have been aware of his act.
Now, ones could certainly object to what they may see as a particular performance style that is quite common in Hip-hop, Soca, Dancehall as well as some Rock acts and other musical forms; the idea that sex and sexuality must be dealt with in a context of domination, humiliation and the perpetuation of the illusion of dominant über-masculine sexuality. All are participants in that – the males that embrace those attitudes and the females who buy into it and allow themselves to be part of it. This was seen particularly at the end of the dance where Akon ran off and left the young lady on the ground where they had been dancing previously. However up to this point, if ones look at all the pictures from this event, it becomes clear that at the time of the act, the young lady in question did not appear to be distressed or trying to get away. She appeared to be enjoying herself, as did the other females who volunteered to enter this competition. That is their right. Certainly this is an area that can be discussed and reasoned. There are certainly reasons why some may see sexuality in this way and why it is commercially viable for music industry executives to sell this image. However, even in that discussion one has to see that once participants are willing and no one is hurt in these encounters it still remains a matter of taste and personal preference. Once all parties are willing then one cannot talk of anyone being taken advantage of or abused in that context.
Akon and Danah on stage at Zen
One thing that is crystal clear however, is the role of the nightclub, Zen, in the whole affair. It is illegal for nightclubs to admit people under 18 years of age. While Johnny Soong has stated that Zen adheres to a strict age policy where they ask for ID from patrons, the comments of the teenager do not show this at all. In the Express article she says:
“I know a lot of my friends who were my age and were there,” she said.
“They asked for ID in VIP because you have to be 21 years and over to go up in VIP, but anyone was allowed to go in the general admission area.”
In the Guardian article it states:
When they got to the club last week Thursday, she said, they proceeded to the VIP section but were stopped by the bouncers who said they had to be 21 years and over to enter, and asked for their identification cards.
Danah said, “We did not have it so they told us we had to go into general admission and we did.”
While Johnny Soong, owner of the nightclub states that this young lady may have “slipped through the cracks” many who do attend this club and many others can state clearly that many underage females especially are allowed into the nightclub. As a matter of fact, this nightclub in particular seems to be more concerned with admitting, light-skinned and brown-skinned females with a particular look, body shape and dress than about the age of the females. The club has come under fire many times for what some patrons have seen as racist and colour-biased practices in their admission policies. In light of this, it is not hard to see how this female could have been admitted despite the fact that she clearly stated that she did not have ID and was admitted anyway. It is in fact, the same colour bias that many people have displayed in commenting on this issue that led to the underage female being in the club in the first place. I suppose we can wait to see what action, if any, will be taken against the Zen nightclub for clearly breaking the law.
At the end of the day, the discussion of this issue has been riddled with distortions, which have made it difficult for some to see the issues clearly. Akon has been vilified because of his race, black skin and clearly stated Senegalese roots, as a sex-crazed fiend that took advantage of a young girl and cajoled her into committing lewd acts. The girl has been seen as innocent because of her age, her colour and her look that for some may not fit their idea of a ‘dancehall queen’, regardless of her own statements where she admitted her culpability and stated unequivocally that she got carried away and went voluntarily and now sees it as a mistake. In addition, as I previously stated, some commentary has been from the perspective of those who find that she was acting out of character as the daughter of a preacher. Some commentary has also been from the perspective of those who find that any sexual dancing is lewd anyway and should be frowned upon. While the dancing might not have been to the taste of some, that is really their affair and until people deal with their own sexual hang-ups they really cannot effectively judge another’s sexual expression. Issues of racism, colourism and sexuality rear their heads all the time in a variety of discussions because these issues are so fundamental and have remained unreasoned in the public space for too long.
Let us not continue to be hypocrites and see this issue for what it is.
Some images were reproduced from:
http://img141.imageshack.us/my.php?image=akonconcert046km0eo1.jpg
http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/1566/akonconcert047in0.jpg
http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/9558/akonconcert048xt8.jpg
http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/8361/akonconcert055kc1.jpg
NEWS UPDATE: May 07, 2007
Police investigators have closed the books on investigations into the Danah Alleyne/Akon raunchy dancing incident at Zen nightclub.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police Winston Cooper, the investigations have reached a stalemate as witnesses aren’t coming forward to support the police.
It’s been three weeks since police officers launched an investigation into the lewd dancing incident involving the fifteen year old pastor’s daughter, Danah Alleyne, and the hip-hop singer, Akon at Zen nightclub. A video clip of the act was posted on the internet and this sparked a national debate about such conduct and who is to blame.
UPDATE: June 13, 2007
Akon’s I’m Sorry Song
Akon apologized to his fans, the young girl, and Gwen Stefani today for his involvement in the onstage underage girl-humping incident that rocked across the net earlier this month.
UPDATE: July 12, 2007
Danah Alleyne to accept youth award
Danah Alleyne will accept the Youth Motivator Award and $1,000 in prize money from Choc’late Allen at her “100% Crime Free” Committee Youth Awards Ceremony to be held next Tuesday, despite a public outcry on the decision, even from Alleyne’s own brother, Ian.
Trinidad and Tobago News Blog’s URL for this article:
www.trinidadandtobagonews.com/blog/?p=221
Kobo, you are wrong.
In an interview, the girl said she got carried away and everything happened so quickly. She said words to the effect that she was sorry and did not know how the whole thing looked until people started commenting and she saw the video.
She never accused Akon of assaulting her or taking advantage of her.
Sorry Kobo, I just looked at the pictures accompanying this article again. In frame number 2 she is sitting on his crotch, while he is lying on the floor. Her hands are raised above her head. She could have walked away if she wanted to. He was not holding her down at that time. She wanted to be exactly where she was. Forget ethnicity! A teenage girl gets bragging rights from sitting on Akon’s crotch. Behaviour of choice.
Like Monica Lewinsky, she was exactly where she wanted to be. She may save that outfit for years, sniffing at certain places. She could sell it on e-Bay for a lot of money! All this fuming will carry the price up! The times we live in.
It would appear that those who champion the Trinidadians of African heritage cause of “we culture” have adopted simulated sex in public as their most reverent artistic expression of their heritage.The carnival mentality must by decree be extended to the rest of the year. Good luck in building a a society.
The rest of us look on in amused disgust.
The culprit in this whole sordid affair is the owner of Zen, and many others like him, because they only adhere to the rules when it suites them–like color/looks. If the club had refused admission to this so-called little girl we would not have been reading about it today. However, I’m watching–from afar–to see what would become of this. I’ll bet you that those club owners stay in business to destroy another child! Of course, the club owners know how and where to get their legal/illegal license renewed. And, that’s the whole sordid thuth! pp in Maryland
Why do we blame everything on race instead of seeing things for what they really are.There are sexual predators in every single race. The issue is that Akon did what he normally does- degrade women- same old same old. Zen lets anyone in once they are willing to pay the money. The little girl made a huge mistake that will remain with her for the rest of her life and this does not seem to be new to her hence the tattoo and naval piercing. Her father and brother are hypocrites and should stop acting like they did nothing wrong- Why is the pastor’s daughter sporting a tattoo?????? HYPOCRITES- that is the problem with our country today! Instead of condemning Dana leave her alone in her embarrassment, self-reflection is the only way she will see the light.
Everyone is pointing the finger at Akon but, we have to look at this young lady what is she doing at a concert and dressed like that. Does she look at act like a 14 year old girl and No is the answer to both questions. She knew what she was doing when she got on the dance floor with him and she was grown enough to walk out the house half dressed. It goes both ways yes he should have known better and yes it shouldn’t have happened but I believe the girl knew what she was doing and she’s trying to play a victum when she’s not. She’s a preachers daughter and know she looks bad and made her father look bad and know the only option is to play victum. She need sto step up and take responsiblity for her own actions and face the consequences.
Danah, I was once your age, and thus I know exactly what a brain with that age thinks and acts like. Like a lot people said, mistakes are made; I hope you and all other ‘young ladies’ learn from your ‘highly entertaining’ performance. For my part, I don’t think Akon should be blamed. A lot though falls squarely on your shoulders ’cause you aren’t a 2yr old child. I know you enjoyed yourself thoroughly, ’cause those pics and images captured ‘the moment’ clearly! Also, Johnny Soong and his management team should be under heavy scrutinity for not even practising and following their own ‘so-called’ entry policy. Mind you I’ve heard some very ‘HIGHLY EXPLICIT’ stories about ‘CLUB ZEN.’ And the PASTOR & COMPANY need to cease ministering the congregation for a while and FOCUS on their CHILD/CHILDREN,’cause like is allyuh who really need some ‘chuch!’ Like Danah received her tatoos and navel piercings under Flaming Word’s roof, or else who the hell she livin’ with. And by the way, did anyone see those other suggestive pics 14/15yr old Danah has posted all up on the net. Case in point, I couldn’t care less if it was an adult woman performing up their with Akon, but no way, a 14/15 yr old? Behaving like she ‘don master the art!’ Come on, where are her parents, or who is she living with?
i believe she did this by choice not force. she was a willing participant. she was underage at a club filled with adults. i wolud have loved it it looked like it felt wonderful. she actually enjoyed it.
When I first read the article I was upset with both individuals (Akon/Danah) plus the dad/pastor comments. However, after getting the facts my feelings changed, I remember all the mistakes I made growing up in TnT. People you all made mistakes and will continue to make mistakes so don’t criticize or humiliate the little girl. I did and I am awful sorry, but I did not have the FACTS JUST LIKE THE REST OF YOU.
Put yourself in that girl shoes right now, could you imagine how she is feeling. We all can reminisce of what could have been done after any good or bad experience, Plato and Aristotle will agree that our subconscious mind takes control 90% of the time the other 10% is in a control environment.
after the fact, Danah’s Dad and Big Brother should stop trying to defend her and look inwards…. Danah’s a troubled child… if left unchecked… can lead to worse things
there goes morality out the door, down the stairs of responsibility a kick in ass for justice all room for shame and scandalous behaviors to do they thing it doesnt matter who, what, where, when, how and why.JUST DO IT and we will see how far we will reach with this
im am a 15 year old like this girl. this girl had her night at Zen all planned out. she is not of age to drive and go there herself- obviously someone had to take her , she could not purchase the ticket to go because they require I.D- someone had to get her the ticket. in a newspaper there is a piece of article which says her parents knew of her night there. her father, a pastor, is saying that she was forced on stage and is exposed to many evils. she should have known that for EVERY ACTION THERE IS A CONQUENCE. i do not believe they should blame akon because she liked dancing with him as CLEARLY seen in the pictures. as we also see this girl has a large tattoo on her lower back and has her navel pierced. so were her parents just blind to see that their child had them on her body or perhaps they were ok with her havin it. what kinda “pastor” is HE?
maybe danah wanted to become even more popular than her father. what a way to be remembered, “Danah Alleyne – 15 year old daughter of a pastor, ministering what her father was teaching in his church at Zen, a popular night club in Trinidad.”
anything can happen when you get carried away, but if you know what you are about and you have a straight head then you can control yourself. she was deffinately not in control. she said that all the patrons were cheering her on so she she felt better afterwards and thought it was ok——————>
U ARE 15 YEARS OLD*
NOT SUPPOSE TO BE IN A NIGHT CLUB*
A PASTOR’S DAUGHTER*
HAVE UR NAVEL PIERCED AND HAVE A TATTOO*
WEAR VERY REAVEALING CLOTHES*
WHERE WERE YOUR PARENTS WHEN ALL OF THIS HAPPENED? WERE THEY BLIND TO SEE YOU DOIN ALL OF THESE THINGS? I GUESS THIS IS JUS ANOTHER ONE OF AS WE ARE KNOWN FOR- “TRINIDADIAN CULTURE.”
IS THIS HOW THE WORLD KNOWS US?WELL THIS IS ONE WAY HOW THEY WILL REMEMBER US.
OPEN YOUR EYES!!!
THANK YOU
I am the mother of two girls and I spend quality time with them. I offer guidance where it is required, interact with them and their friends, discuss various current issues with them, and they confide in me. Most of all I am their friend, confidant, teacher, mother, provider, guardian and all that a parent should be. Where were this fourteen year old girl’s parents in teaching values and principles that are considered acceptable in society? Where were they when she was engaging in body piercing of areas of her body that had to be revealed to the piercer? Where were they when their teenage daughter felt free to go clubbing? Where were they when their daughter felt comfortable to don herself in revealing clothing that leaves little to the imagination? Do they have a relationship with the child that encourages desirable and open communication?
What this young girl did was appalling. Why is the artiste being blamed? She voluntarily appeared on stage, knowing full well what she was to expect. Not only that, she seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the act, based on the pictures that I’ve seen. Let’s face it! The child appears to be a misguided soul. How many school girls her age will not even consider wearing the type of garment that she was wearing and furthermore, consider going to a night club when she shoud be at home studying or actively engaged in something worthwhile. Her father is a pastor – where are the values that should have been taught. There were fourteen years in which the values could have been inculcated. Do her parents offer parental guidance? Why is it they were not aware of their daughter’s activities, choice of clothing etc.? If she resides with them, did they not see her piercings and the inclination that she had to be a loose cannon?
As a pastor and a parent, her father should have been aware of the teachings of the bible which says, “train a child in the way he should go that when he is old enough he would not depart from it.”
Before going to club Zen, she must have known that she was underage to be there. She must have been aware of the type of performance the artiste engages in. Moreso, she did not go on that stage under duress. She loved it all and the gyration of her body expressly reveals that. She was actually pulling Akon with the expressed desire of getting more. What is all this excessive concern about? This girl has consciously made choices and perhaps she is happy with the choices she made. Is it because her father is a pastor?
Does he feel that the actions of his daughter embarrassed him so they could encourage publicity, blame the artiste, and attempt to save face? If this child’s father is busy doing the Lord’s work, does she have a mother’s presence in the home?
At age fourteen, this girl must have a sense of reasoning, a sense of purpose, and a sense of what is acceptable behaviour and what is not, considering her father’s position in society’s structure.
Come on people! Stop focusing on Akon from whom this behaviour is expected and focus on Danah who must have had the teachings of what society expects from her. She set out to intentionally mislead others where her age is concerned and she did not consider the implications her action would have on her parents, Mr. Soong, and the artiste. She thought only of satisfying her shameful desires.
I am thoroughly disgusted by her behaviour as a teenager. I wonder what her next move is.
After looking at the pictures and reading the associated articles,it beggars belief that it escaped Pator ‘flaming word’ Alleyne and his son that Danah has a tattoo measuring (i could be wrong here) appr 8inches long on the base of her back and naval is pierced!!
Fair enough we were all children and we did mistakes some terrible however a parent should not be ashamed of their children growing up and learning from mistakes , this is life, however please do not insult our inteligence in making aout your child as totally inocent in this whole affair, as far as im concerned all parties, Danah, CLUB ZEN , AKON (for the afican trip con parden the pun)should be held to account
But from the above article i hold CLUB ZEN first for the blame.
Stop blaming everbody but yourself, was akon in fornt the door in zen. what your child going for ice cream late at night,before the 10 clock news in new york starts its 10 clock do u know where your child is hope she learn a lesson in this.
I hope minister hinds take look to all club in trinidad and tobago this not the frist club zen in the news and it will not be last.
No one put a gun to the girl head as you can see .the child has tattoo i could wrong but her action was not of a pastors child so who to blame akon or the pastor.don’t be ashamed talk to your kids trinidad and tobago
This girl is a young teenager like myself.In her first interview she said that her parents knew and she had been there many times before,she also said that her friends were around her same age and it was said that she was 14 years of age.All this were said when her parents were not present at the inter view.The story changed after a while to her parents not knowing that she was going and that she was going to get ice cream with her cousin,her friends grew older over night and she turned 15.Which parent would believe that their daughter was going to get ice cream eleven in clock in the night…u tell me??i understand that it was akon and she probably was thrilled to see him but this pastor’s daughter is known to have semi nude pics on web sites like hi5.com.A young girl carrying herself about like that disgraces us as youths of trinidad and tobago and lowers the standerds(that are already very low)in which we are “labelled”.She could have easily walked off the stage if she wanted to but it was her choice.I think both akon and danah were wrong.Akon was wrong for the behavior he showed dancing sexually with the young woman,he shouldnt be dancing like that with any woman.She was wrong for going to the club and dancing like that on stage ,she could have easily walked off the stage..This is my oppinion..
That Danah needs to accept the consequences of her actions is without a doubt. It is ludicrous that her family has the gumption to try and blame everyone else except Danah. By her own admission, she used every trick in the book to get into the night club. I agree with Minister Hinds that she is young, wild and stupid. Anyone who has seen an Akon video knows what he is capable. If she indeed feel cajoled into getting onto the stage, once there, if she felt uncomfortable she could have remained motionless. she didn’t, instead set forth to show that she was the best winer there.
Yet, I cannot help but feel that Kobo’s argument had merit. Danah wasn’t the only one surprised that there was in fact no trip to Africa. When Akon had her on her back, her legs were spread eagle in the air. Whether or not you agree with it, lewd dancing is against the law in Trinidad and Tobago. Just because it isn’t enforced that often doesn’t make it null and void.
Furthermore, i really don’t see how the whole race thing comes into it. i’m red-skinned and what i usually get is that girls like me, far from being thought more highly of, are thought to be easy, hot-blooded, untrustworthy. so i really don’t see that the race argument has merit.
When the bhagi boils down, i think everyone has to share in the blame.
Her parents: how the hell did you not know that your daughter goes clubbing and that she has such outfits in her closet? is that where your parishoners offering goes?
Zen Club Owner: Strict Id checks my big toe. when i was in form 3 i had friends who used to get into those clubs.
Danah: You had no business being at the club, no business being in that outfit. you should have been home doing schoolwork. if you wanted to see Akon you should have just watched MTV.
Akon: dry humping and dancing, albeit wining, are not synonymous.
my $0.02
WWJD.What would Jesus do?
Would He have condemed? “He who is without sin among you,let hime throw the first stone at her first”John 8:7
and Jesus said to her “Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more.”Then Jesus spoke I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” John 7:11-12. Repent, change your ways!Jesus is the only answer in this world of pain and suffering!Christ is”not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” 2Pet 3:9
Danah do some reseach on navel rings and Tattoos in relation to the bible and you would be suprised.The first branding took place when God Marked Cane on his forehead to show everyone that he was already punished by God.Also do some research on the type of dress that Christians should wear.
During the Carnival season in Trinidad and Tobago we can see a lot of vulgar and distasteful dancing of our young women in the clubs and during some of the parade. This behaviour has a lot to do with the MUSIC! Remember Lucifer was in charge of music before he was banished from the heavens.
Hip Hop Music has a lot behind it. Check it out: The Truth behind Hip Hop.www.exministries.com
Pastors are responsible for God’s sheep! We need to pray for one another instead of condemning.
Sister in Christ
Looks to me like she is having a ball! She knew exactly what she was doing and why. She may be sorry now, becasue she got caught and because her name is now in evevry household around the globe. If this was not publicized like this..Deena would not be acting like a victim. Look at the pictures..she is enjoying her moment on stage on AKON. Look at how she is dressed..in one picture Akon can be seen kissing her on her stomach. Please…she is no victim here. She made her bed, now let her lie in it.
And besides that..she has a cross on her neck..this child is messed up!
Akon should not be blamed for what happened. How was he supposed to know that she was underage, lied 2 her parents etc. Her parents should of started 2 look at the time and wonder ” Why are they taking so long just 2 go 4 ‘ice-cream’ that is just ridiculous. they were supposed 2 call her on the CELL and tell her come home.
I do believe that the blame lies fully with the 14 year old…however since she is a minor, then her parents are to blame. I try my best to know the whereabouts of my 15 year old, who is a boy. Society today has put a tremendous strain on parents when they tell us that our kids have a right to do this and a right to do that and if we try to punish them as we see fit..we are liable to get in trouble. I am not saying that we have to physically abuse our kids, but we should be able to control them to a certain level. I am all for independence and they having their own opinions, but they must do so when they can handle their own consequences.I believe that parents are to be just that..parents…children have enough friends when they are in school and they will continue to make friends. We as parents need to be parents to our kids, loving parents. The same law would turn around and prosecute them later on in life when they turn out to be mass murderers or they are constantly causing trouble.
She knew she was underage, the club security knew she was underage..her dress code did not say she was underage and as far as AKON was concerned, he was dancing with an adult. He is not going to stop and ask their ages. The club owners need to be blamed as well. All they were interested in is making that quota of tickets sold. AKON is being paid to perform. Africa or no Africa!
Akon should not be blamed 4 what happened. How was he 2 Know that she was underage and lied 2 her parents just 2 go 2 a concert.
Being so publicly recognised through her father being a pastor, she was to have thought it through properly. U told ur parents that u were going 4 ‘ice cream’ they were supposed 2 set a time limit 4 their 15 year old daughter 2 reach home. if time passed, the parents had a right to call her on her phone and see what was going on.
Akon came on stage after 1, were u still going 4 ice cream then. PLEASE, ‘THAT IS FAILURE’.
BE SMARTER THAN THAT.
i dont think no one should be blamed cause bothe of them were having fun..plus she was the one in control as u see the pics above..i think this rumor is just so much crap cause they are just dancing and having fun!
Here is an excellent example of an impotent society. Rum, roti and partying can’t solve the TnT dilemma. Listen to Sexplosion on Wed & Fri nights, Power 102 FM…filled with advice on public radio on the big SEX.
Of all the responses I read, Mandy just hit the nail on it’s head. Imagine you are a parent, and your 14 year old daughter told you she was going for ice-cream and did not return some 5 hours later, would you as a concerned parent not start worrying and calling your daughther’s cell phone or her friends’ house to find out where on earth your precious daughter is at that time of the morning. Today, with all the kidnapping and vehicular accidents on the road, parents should be more vigilant about there their children’s wearabouts. As for Pastor Alleyne and big brother Alleyne who are out there blaming everyone else, please STOP it right now. Mr. Alleyne as a big brother your failed your baby sister. Let us forget the sexy outfit, the tattoo and the navel ring. I’m pretty sure this is not the first time Danah had lied to her parents and you knew of her lying. I am pretty sure you know that she is out of control and you should do more to protect her.
All the morals of our country have fallen way below levels of proper conduct…everyone has ‘rights’ now so there is no longer right or wrong. Why shouldnt the government be in Zen’s business…For my part Zen should be locked down tight…everyone has laws and no ones keeps them. No man is fit to command another unless he can command himself.
The girl was wrong, her parents were too trusting, Akon is a poor example for the youths and has no kind of decency. Artistes should be screened before allowed to even enter this place to perfrom..
Carnival should be done away with.
Black is beautiful.
Leave some activities for the bedroom.
My Carnival album from some years back had pictures of Dr. Jean Ramjohn Richards, the first lady of TnT playing mas. Also in that same album is the Minister of Education, the Hon. Hazel Manning. Niether is running half naked through the streets, but they are playing mas. The reason they are not acting the fool is that they respect their positions in the society, and they respect themselves. They see themselves as positive role models for the young.Who is Danah’s role model?
Ban Carnival? Yuh crazy or wat? Some women and men will always try to show off more than they are supposed to. The Rio type carnival has taken over our festival and we need to take it back.
Carnival is not to blame. Just as there are some movie actresses who do not take a certain role because its not god for their image, so too certain people will nt play some kinds of mas because the roles do not suit them. To blame this younglady’s behaviour on Carnival and ask for it to be banned is to be rather foolish about the way the national event plays a role in society and gives meaning to people’s lives.
I have never played mas in my life. I have not seen a live Carnival show or parade in more than twenty years, but I would fight to the finish to preserve people’s right to play mas. All the hoity toity moralists have tried to ban it for years. But Carnival, cricket and football are inherent parts of our culture If Lara’s performance on test cricket matches did not inspire that young lady, if Jean Pierre was no role model, then Carnival is not to blame either.