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For the Love of Maia…
I don’t know about you, but I didn’t find the video that’s been circling around the internet featuring a “crackhead” Maia Campbell to be the least bit funny. In fact, it was pretty disheartening. When she was healthy and on the small screen making an honest living, she didn’t get a fraction of the attention she garnered this week. Now that she’s clearly going through some personal and mental issues, she’s one of the top trending topics on Twitter and Google? I know we’re all about laughs and entertainment people but does it have to be at a tortured soul’s expense?
Let’s face it, Maia is a very troubled woman who’s been crying out for help for years now. I have no clue what it’s like to deal with mental illness coupled with the loss of a parent and it’s quite obvious that neither does she. On top of these challenges, it’s also rumored that she’s been prostituting. Her mother, famous author BeBe Moore Campbell, who died a couple of years ago constantly discussed mental illness in her family. She never revealed who she was referring to and was often elusive, but now it’s quite evident.
I’m going to keep this short and sweet, folks. As opposed to pointing the finger and laughing at this woman who is clearly in a significant amount of pain, let’s take a moment out of our day to pray for her. Pray for her healing. Pray for her direction and while you’re at it, pray for her safety. From the looks of that video, she’s not making the best choices in the quality of people she’s surrounding herself with. Remember, Maia could have easily been any one of us. Mental illness doesn’t exactly knock at your door asking if you’re up for company…it could take over your life unexpectedly.
Here’s to Maia’s speedy recovery and hopes that this unfortunate case will open up the dialogue of mental health in the Black community. It is not a game…
I have reservations about being yet another blog posting this disturbing video so instead, I’ll provide the link in case you don’t know what I’m referring to. Click here.
If you or someone you know suffers from mental illness please understand that you don’t have to fight this battle alone. Visit The National Alliance on Mental Illness at www.nami.org for additional information.
As a New York City storyteller, filmmaker, digital content creator, and PR strategist, Renae Bluitt created "In Her Shoes" to empower and enlighten women committed to realizing their dreams.