Of Sex Tapes and Hypocrisy

Before this week, I had never heard of the name Bobby East. In fact the only rapper I knew who had a name that connotes a direction is Kanye West. I don't follow Zambian music and don't even know any song done by Mr East. However, Bobby East has been thrust into that part of Zambian folklore and banter that had erstwhile only been occupied by Iris Kaingu. This is in the wake of a sexually explicit video in which he and some named girl starred finding itself on social media.

I have not seen the video in question but was left in no doubt as to what was obtaining by some rather explicitly detailed description of the action by one Post journalist. So detailed was the description that I had to wonder whether going to such excruciating detail could be excused for journalistic diligence. It was not without justification that I thought there was a veiled glorification of the act in the description albeit in a somewhat twisted way, in a similar manner to history's penchant for glorifying certain villains if you will. 

There is a reason why everyone is talking about this video. Much of it has to do with the excitement that it generates and not necessarily the vilification of the act of "corrupting" public morals. The reason it was shared on social media within minutes is precisely because of the excitement generated by watching a well known (sometimes even without being well known, just be known thats all) person share the most intimate of acts with the whole nation via that same video. 

And I know the reaction has slowly shifted towards indignation and utter disbelief at the lack of a moral compass among today's "celebrities". Many have called for the meting out of stiff punishment to the involved couple as they are providing  a bad example to the young ones. Well I think its a waste of time to call for such punishments, as the law is clear and is capable of imposing the requisite sanctions on all who break the law. So lets leave the punishing part to them. I have no doubt they are competent enought.

I will tell you though that many actually think it was a stupid act by someone who probably would be better off being helped rather than being punished (I know there are those who argue that punishment also qualifies as help). I was at some public place in Chipata yesterday when I overhead a conversation regarding this same Bobby East video among some guys. They were unanimous in declaring that the gentleman in question is well endowed "where it matters" and that he appeared either too drunk or too "sexed out" to properly perform the sexual act.

To be honest I also find most of the hypocritical public reaction to the video by some people quite annoying. You would think they have never watched a porn video in their lives. And this is not to say I condone what Bobby East and the unnamed girl did, just to note that its a mistake, a stupid one at that but it should not be blown out of proportion. If an offence was committed, let the law deal with it. Do not give this thing the prominence it doesn't deserve. There are more pressing issues to be dealt with; not some leaked grainy video of two consenting adults having sex (or by some accounts, trying to have sex but lamentably failing).