The Black Trap?: ‘Strong On The Outside, Dying On The Inside’
- Author of Strong On The Outside, Dying On The Inside
- By Lisa M. Brown
*As more and more headlines report the news of fallen stars, we find all too often that their demise is linked to lifestyle choices that have reaped deadly consequences. Superstars who have the benefit of added wealth also have added pressures.
Then there are the everyday people who battle some of the same interpersonal issues as the rich and famous. A sense of faith and an indefatigable work ethic spell a wholesome life for many, but others are thrust into concealing inner turmoil, dousing it with addiction, masking it in seclusion or camouflaging it with over-achievement. It is a compromised state of being that sometimes results in spiritual or mortal death, but as author Lisa M. Brown reports, it doesn’t have to spell the end.
Lisa Brown’s message is especially geared to those self proclaimed strong black woman:
“As strong, accomplished Black women, we have mastered the art of illusion. I say illusion because we’ve managed to convince everyone around us that we’re God fearing women who can handle any and everything you throw our way… but inside we’re broken and in pain, and will take our last breath before we let anyone know it. We’re strong on the outside and dying on the inside.”
February 1st, 2012 headline news reported the suicide death of Don Cornelius. Nine days later, breaking news sadly noted the demise of Whitney Houston, just hours before her scheduled appearance at Clive Davis’ pre-Grammy party at the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel. The autopsy is complete and the toxicology report will soon render the cause of death. It is suspected that Houston’s prolonged use of narcotics may have finally got the best of her and that a combination of prescription drugs were a fatal combination.
EURweb asked Lisa Brown what she had to say about the loss of Whitney Houston:
“I was devastated to learn of the death of Whitney Houston. I grew up listening to her music and I wanted to emulate her grace and beauty! She was my hair icon for years!! She was our princess and songstress. She represented us as beautiful, talented and sophisticated. It was sad to watch her decline over the last several years.”
When asked if depression may have been the root cause of Ms. Houston’s troubles, Lisa had this response:
“ It was so clear that she was struggling… that she had lost some of the luster that made up that “image” that we all adored. But l don’t that think most of us took time to think through what she might have been battling with, that despite her money, beauty and fame, she was struggling with demons that we simply don’t talk about. And while I don’t know that her addictions were connected to depression, I would venture to say that her mental health must have been compromised by her addiction to drugs and alcohol. It’s impossible to be in optimum mental health when your physical health is so altered. I hope her life and sadly, her death, will remind us that beauty, wealth, fame and even just the appearance of being strong and having it all together may reflect a completely different picture from what’s going on inside.”
EURweb will continue our report on “Strong On The Inside, Dying On The Inside” by Lisa M. Brown in Part 2.
Are you Strong On The Outside and Dying on The Inside? Ask author Lisa M. Brown at: Lisa@StrongOnTheOutside.com
