Ref•lections, Cri•me & Bir•thdays

What does Hollywood's fascination with dark historical moments reveal about our society's thirst for sensational stories? This week, I grapple with this question as I return to the office after a week-long hiatus to reflect on turning 29. Join me as I provide an honest critique of Ryan Murphy's new Netflix series on the Menendez brothers, questioning the ethical implications of evoking empathy for convicted criminals through compelling storytelling. From dissecting the fine line between alleged abuse and greed to highlighting disparities in our justice system, I tackle the tough questions that this controversial portrayal raises.

But it's not all serious. I'm thrilled to share exciting updates about our upcoming comedy shows, featuring an all-female lineup and my cousin's much-anticipated debut in November. Listen as I recount my low-key birthday celebration, including Korean barbecue and Brandy's new thriller, "The Front Room." Reflecting on self-acceptance and mental health, I discuss my commitment to substantial personal changes and becoming more consistent with this podcast. Plus, don't miss out on future topics like the vice presidential debate and juicy updates on P Diddy. Tune in for an episode that's equal parts reflective and entertaining!

Transcript

Reflections on Menendez Brothers and Justice

Speaker 1 0:00

What's up , co-workers , family and friends , my name is Jalen White and this is day seven on my Black Job . Well , hello , I am finally back in the office . I know I haven't been here for a little over a week now , but I had my reasons . But I'm back now . And today , co-workers , we're going to be talking about me turning 29 . And I'm giving a bit of a reflection on that and setting new intentions for my last year of my 20s . But before we get into that , let's catch up Now .

Speaker 1 0:36

I don't know what you guys are watching right now . I would love to know . I just finished binge watching Ryan Murphy's new series on Netflix . Just finished binge watching um ryan murphy's new series on netflix . Uh , the monster story , uh , the story between the menendez brothers , eric and lyle , and this series follows their story , um , before and after they brutally murdered their parents , and up to their 1996 conviction .

Speaker 1 1:04

I'm going to be honest , this show was good in the sense of , I mean , the acting , the acting in it , all of it all . I mean Chloe , who played their mother , kitty ripped that . The gentleman that played their father ate that up . And then the two gentlemen , these two new faces that we're introduced to , I mean they made these brothers incredibly compelling . I mean , some of the scenes are identical to some of the real court images and videos that came from their actual trial .

Speaker 1 1:48

What I thought was actually most interesting as a viewer watching this is about midway through this series . You really start empathizing with these brothers and you start believing that they had good cause to ultimately murder their parents . You are almost convinced of the fact that their father was sexually abusing them and their mother was complicit in that , and that might actually be true . But at the end of the day they did do this horrible thing . I mean , they literally planned , purchase shotguns with some of the best ammunition and while their parents were in their great family room watching TV , they even said that the parents dozed off , fell asleep and they bust in and they blew them to smithereens . And then they pretended they went and purchased movie tickets and then they pretended to the police that they don't know who could have done it . It could have been the mafia , and the way that they murdered their parents would have been consistent to the way a mafia would murder someone . And then they went and got a hotel and they were spending crazy money hoping that they were going to land , this inheritance , and this series by Ryan Murphy really raises the question was it for money or did this abuse actually exist ?

Speaker 1 3:21

Now , I do think that it had these weird scenes where it kind of did allude to this incestuous relationship that exists between the brothers , which was a story that came out from a reporter in the late 90s , trying to give reason or explanation to why the brothers would have killed their parents because the parents became aware of this sexual relationship between the two of them and was going to make it public and they didn't want that to happen . Or , um , now ryan murphy says that he doesn't believe that this sexual relationship existed , but he does believe that the brothers were abused , and so my question is like well , why allude to it in these small little ways ? And maybe that's just Hollywood , we like to romanticize everything , but I don't think that it was necessarily needed in this story . What's more concerning is that the Menendez brothers actually Lyle released a statement by way of his wife saying that he they had no involvement in this , and I'm paraphrasing , but this was like an exploitation of their pain and trauma , and Ryan Murphy did respond and say he didn't feel a need to reach out or have any form of conversation with the Menendez brothers , which isn't unique for Ryan Murphy because , I mean , he was guilty of this with dealing with the victims of Jeffrey Dahmer and his telling of Dahmer . So he's a filmmaker and an artist , but sometimes I'm like I feel like he's just profiting off of our dark moments of history and these really sad moments and horrendous moments in people's lives . But , like I said , it's Hollywood , he's a white man and , as we know , he will get away with it . I know that Netflix is also releasing a documentary that actually involves the Menendez brothers , where they are now wanting to tell or retell their story 30 years later and they are still pushing this narrative that they're innocent and they don't deserve to spend their lives in prison .

Speaker 1 5:41

Now my concern of this project and Ryan Murphy's project is now it's bringing a popularity back to them the same way it did Jeffrey Dahmer , where now you have people for Halloween dressing up as Dahmer and I mean the gays in WeHo , west Hollywood were dressing up as Dahmer , which was crazy to me because it was like were dressing up as Dahmer , which was crazy to me because it was like fool , he was killing y'all . But I just I feel like people are not interested in the facts and the reality of their choices and they're like oh , the actors that played the Menendez brothers are so cute . Well , go fuck one of them , you know , if that's the case . But to champion freedom around their cause , I think is baffling . They should be grateful that they didn't get the death penalty and that they don't have to die by lethal injection , but should they absolutely spend their lives in prison ? I mean , they brutally murdered their parents , so why not ? I think that to me it's that privilege that a lot of people that don't look like me kind of have .

Speaker 1 7:07

Williams , who was executed last week in a Missouri facility . He had been in prison , on death row for 24 years for the murder of a woman , a home invasion and a murder , and they still don't really have proof that he committed the murder , and then there's really no proof that is saying that he is innocent . But I don't think the conversation that was being had was around his innocence , because there's facts like that woman's the victim's purse was found in Marcellus Williams' car , the trunk of his car , and people said he was bragging about having done the crime and they were able to trace back certain belongings that was stolen out of the victim's house that he had profited off of . But I don't think the conversation is about his innocence . I believe it becomes about does he deserve the death penalty ? And I feel like that's where the nuance really lies . And I don't believe in the death penalty because I believe that people should have to suffer for their crimes and spend the rest of their life in prisons just thinking about it . And if they off themselves , well then that was on them . That's just personally my stance .

Speaker 1 8:18

Because if I say any otherwise , why aren't the Menendez brothers in prison ? I mean , why haven't the Menendez brothers been sentenced to the death penalty and be put down by the lethal injection as well ? That becomes the question , because it's actually been proven that they committed a premeditated murder , versus that same burden of proof isn't there in the Marcellus case . So I just think and you really can't compare the two because they're different circumstances but what I'm comparing is the fact that there's privilege that exists in America , where Black people are not treated or handled the same . In the system . Black people are railroaded all the time , and even the courts , I believe , conspires against black people in the same way that it doesn't do our white or just non-black counterparts , and so I believe that Marcellus Williams did not have to die , but he could have spent the rest of his life in prison , and so for me it's a slap in the face when you see folks like the Menendez brothers releasing information or content where they are calling for their freedom , and then they're getting so much support around that when we know that they actually did what they're in prison for , and so it's the audacity because they still get to be alive at the end of the day , and so it's really a slap in the face when you think about how just Hollywood is really profiting on this story . But yet we watch this quote unquote innocent man literally be executed last week , and so it's just food for thought that the truth is what we already know , that there is a difference in this world that we live in , and Marcellus is proof of that . And I just I kind of regret now watching the Menendez brothers story , because now it was something that I enjoyed until the reality of Marcellus hit me . Like I said , they're not the same , but it's like why do they get to still live and champion their innocence ? And this man really wasn't even given a fair shot . So just food for thought .

Speaker 1 10:33

Also , we lost a couple of legends recently . We lost Maggie Smith at 89 . And you know I'm always joking with people . I'm like Maggie Smith . Listen , maggie Smith has been old all her goddamn life . But all jokes aside , she will be missed deeply . Her work will live on forever .

Speaker 1 10:54

I mean Sister Act , first Wives Club just two of my classics , my favorites that I can call off the top of my head . Really , we lost John Amos today , james from Good Times . He was Kutakente in Roots I think he was Kutakente or what's his name , but he was in Roots , damn it . And I remember him in Players Club . I just watched Players Club the other day . John Amos was a legend and commanded the screen with force and pride and really gave us a depiction of what a strong , hardworking Black man that had values and interest and care for his family really looked like , and so our prayers go out to both families . Oh , and we also want to send our condolences to Raven Simone , who lost her dad , christopher B Perman , today , and we just feel for her as well , because she also lost her brother , blaze , last year to cancer , and so we know that loss and grief isn't hard , and so we just want to support every and anyone that we know is going through something um hard like that .

Speaker 1 12:08

I also in changing gears here . Um , I also just this past saturday , celebrated one year of bringing renegade comedy show to the ice house and it's really been a journey . I've been following and behind my good sis Lynn's son learning how to produce and watching her get her hands dirty and do all the dirty work and then really working with her to put up the show , and I'm so humbled that you know I was with something from its inception to watching it become something that I'm really proud of . I know that she's really proud of and you know comedy has its ebbs and flows , like performance , wise , like sometimes I kill it , sometimes I question myself , but knowing that the people who come to our shows and keep coming back and the fact that they have such a good time and they feel included and it feels like a community of fun , that just makes me so , so , so , so , so proud . And just to be able to develop a relationship with the venue from the front of the house to the back of the house is something that I don't take lightly or for granted . Really it's not easy and it's not something that comes easy , and so I'm just grateful to be able to continue the Renegade Comedy Show at the Ice House

Living Life by the Balls

Speaker 1 13:46

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Speaker 1 13:46

We have two more for this year we have . Our next is Sunday , october the 13th . We are bringing a very funny all-female lineup . I'm hosting because I'm a grown-ass woman too , and it's going to be such a good time . Our next show is going to be November 2nd and it's going to be incredible .

Speaker 1 14:12

My cousin is going to make his comedy debut , and I couldn't be more excited about that . I'm trying to force him to let me really coach him and to get it down , um , cause I want him to fly on his first time , you know , but I'm so excited for him to just try something new and put himself out there in a way that he never has before , and I'm hoping that it pays off for him . Um , and hopefully he doesn't embarrass me , because that was really important to me , that he doesn't embarrass the fuck out of me . But no , I think he's going to do great . He's going to do his five minutes . We're going to pack out that show and that'll be our last show for the year , and then , you know , I have some things that I am working on to finish out the year and something I'm working on coming into next year because I really want to be able to expand my creative working portfolio and I want people to see that I have other skills to actually offer and to bring to the table . And so I'm excited for what is being cooked right now . And then , you know , we're going to continue being at the Ice House in 2024 . I mean 2025 . Wow , we're about to be at 2025 . This sounds crazy to say and , yeah , I'm just so excited and stoked about next year as well .

Speaker 1 15:38

Coworkers , well , I guess I can talk to you a little bit about what I came here to talk to you about . The fuck . September 22nd I turned 29 years old . I closed out Virgo season , as the supreme would be able to do . Some people try to say I'm on the Libra cuz . No , I am a fucking Virgo . It's the last day . I am the supreme . I closed the door . Virgo season is no more .

Speaker 1 16:08

Um , and what a just a joyous um birthday I had . It was very quiet , I spent it with my baby daddy , um , and I had such a just a good time . We went and seen that movie , brandy's new movie , the Front Room , which was incredibly entertaining , by the way Creepy funny at moments . I think that it's not getting the love that it truthfully deserves . So , you guys , if you can , go see Brandy in the front room , we have to support our black Cinderella and everything that she fucking does . Okay , um , but it was so good . Then I went and had Korean barbecue , and you know , and then we just hung out and I had such a joyous time and you know , a couple of days leading up to 29, .

Speaker 1 16:59

You know , I was having these really deep thoughts with myself , like should I keep fucking up or should I get my life together ? And honestly , the latter sounds boring , but no , I really started being like I . It's on me to create a life that I'm genuinely proud of , and in order to do so , I have to start getting real with myself . And through that realization and that reflection of really just getting real with myself and who I am , who I want to be and what do I want , I started realizing that what it will take to actualize a lot of that is being present , being present with myself and for everything I'm engaging in , whether that's work , relationships or just alone time , I feel as though , as somebody that struggles deeply with depression and anxiety . Depression keeps you in the past and anxiety keeps you worried about the future . But if you can sit in that current moment and make decisions out of necessity for the moment , then there's a good chance that you're making some of the greatest decisions and some of the most circumstantial , consequential decisions . I mean Some of the most consequential decisions that are going to kind of lead you into exactly what you want .

Speaker 1 18:29

You know , for me and I have always felt like I'm a fucking star baby and I know I am , but I'm okay with also not being be the star , but puts me in a position of making real fucking moves and so now I'm getting really serious about those possibilities and also in being present with myself is really dealing with myself , dealing with my own insecurities and body image and self-esteem and all those things , and being like I'm not going to live another year of my life overly insecure . I'm not doing it , no more . I am who I am . I look like how I look , like I talk how I talk . This is me . God damn it . And if you like it , keep tuning in . If you don't kick fucking rocks . Ch's a matter of choke on a rock . Suck on a rock and choke on it . I don't give a fuck what you do Like .

Speaker 1 19:41

I honestly don't , but it's really necessary for me to love myself in this last year of my 20s and I really think that I've undervalued the necessity of loving myself and that you can know that that's something that you need . I mean because it's corny Love yourself , love yourself . Self-care is the best care , and to that I'll always be like well , bitch , if you're lonely , just say that . But it's true , rupaul says it and it's corny If you don't love yourself , how the hell are you going to love somebody else ? If I don't love myself enough , I can't get up and do the shit that I'm doing . I can't work on the things that I want to work on , because I'm not bringing my full self to everything that I'm doing . I'm not bringing my full self to the relationship that I'm in if I'm not loving myself enough .

Speaker 1 20:31

And so for me , turning 29 is really or 25 , as I would like to say is really me doing away with devices and ways of thinking and doing and being that is no longer serving me , because now it's time to be a fucking adult , and that is so not easy for me . I think that I'm mature and I think that I can be responsible , but as far as , like adulting , relying on yourself pulling your own bootstraps up , I mean , I love somebody that wants to help me with that , but I'm not going to always have that kind of support , so I have to . It's necessary for me to now be a specific type of support system to my own self , and so I hope for this last year of my twenties that I really step into who I am and who I want to be . So I'm no longer just aspiring but I'm on track and I'm actually walking that path and I really do feel like like I think I've said this in a previous episode that I really feel like I've been like slowly marinating for a while and like cooking and getting disciplined and learning . You know my crafts , and so I feel like this year is about taking life by the balls , and we know how much . Okay , I'm not going to . That's a long hanging fruit joke . Y'all know I love the balls , but just taking life by the balls and really getting everything out of it that I want , you know and this show is just a start . You know my Black Job , I hope you know , one day can grow into a larger platform where you guys are hearing more positive , educational , reaffirming voices being edified . And so you know , we're just seven episodes in , just getting started , and I'm grateful for you guys rocking with me .

Preparing for Adulthood in Your 20s

Speaker 1 22:51

This year of 29 for me also revealed that you know my black jobs needs to be three times a week . I want to annoy the fuck out of you guys . I want to come on here three times a week Tuesday , wednesday and Thursday and tell you guys what I want you to know . And so , in me really reflecting on turning 29 and setting intentions to be more present , to pour into myself , to do away with insecurity and old ways of thinking and ways of being , to do away with insecurity and old ways of thinking and ways of being and really step into my whole self , what advice would you all give me during this last year of my 20s ? What can I do to really prepare me for the rest of my adulthood , as well as still holding on to the positive sides of my youth ? As well as still holding on to the positive sides of my youth , because I want to be able to take my life seriously without also having to take myself too seriously . And so , what advice to you old ass people out there . What advice would you beautiful people give me for my last year of 20 , my 20s and really making the most out of it ?

Speaker 1 24:00

Guys , I really didn't have much to come on here and talk about because , like I said , the presidential debate , vice presidential debate , happened tonight and it's really so much that I'm holding on to and there's so many great things in the news that have occurred that I want to be able to tie into that . So , guys , I'm going to clock out a little bit early , because that's what a bad bitch does Hasn't showed up for work in days and leaves early . But tomorrow you're going to get a jam packed show bringing back my mother into the office and we're going to be talking about the vice presidential debate , how Dede Vance , the couch fucker , and Tim Coach Walls went at it and what I think about it and what she thinks about it , and also , you know , I got some P Diddy updates . Bye .