YA HEARD: What's up with all the crime, celebs?

"My problem lies in reconciling my gross habits with my net income."

-- Errol Flynn

Money can buy guns, but not maturity

Much has been made throughout our area recently about Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas' choice to bring three unloaded firearms to the Verizon Center a few weeks ago. Sports fans, and non-sports fans have wondered about and have even become alarmed at the superstar's audacious actions. The story has become a national headline and once again has fueled critic's claims that the NFL and NBA are leagues that are filled with "thugs."

In many ways, these claims stem from what many see as a connection between professional athletes, rappers and everyday common thugs. The tattoos, the arrests, the shiny jewelry and the notoriety are seen as brash, flamboyant and tactless. In addition to that, for the sake of being honest, the African-American background is the most compelling characteristic of these types of celebrities. From the outside looking in, people are very puzzled as to why people in such positions as a Gilbert Arenas, a Plaxico Burress or a Michael Vick can make such terrible decisions. The money, fame, and fortune … what else could these guys want, right? Is it just a case of bad luck that these guys keep making very poor decisions? Or is it that they are stupid and lack basic intelligence? Many of us would bet our chips on the latter, yet any real intelligence would make one aware that there is something much deeper going on here.

A closer look at the culture and environments of which many of these guys come from will reveal that there are fundamental reasons for the pattern of poor decisions made by some very prominent athletes. While many of the factors involved in the culture of these athletes and entertainers are way too intricate and exhaustive for this column, we'll talk in terms of what everyone can understand -- money.

Many of these guys, and not just those of African-American descent either, have no clue of how to act with large sums of money. Their bank accounts swell disproportionately to their maturity and appreciation for their blessings. Many of them are from low- to middle-class families and view their large salaries as pay dirt -- not so much as the accumulation of wealth but as the paycheck that will take care of the entire family. Especially in the case of athletes who come from poverty-stricken families where they become the cash cow of the entire neighborhood. These individuals become prisoners of their money and the mentality of the people around them.

Many say "Leave the hood behind," but it's hard to leave behind the family and friends you grew up around your entire life. No one wants to be the man without a country or a place to call home. Many make the mistake of thinking that they can still continue to do the same things they did before the money and that the money won't change anything or anyone. When in reality, the truth is that money changes everything and everyone in our capitalist society.

The problem is that the disillusioned will take actions to prove that they are still the same person they were before the money after the money; it's the "Keeping it real" factor. The basic obstacle with the "Keeping it real" notion is that no one can explain what "real" is. Guns, drugs and outlandish celebrations of minimal success are not keeping it real. Maturity and gradual progression to becoming a better person is what "Keeping it real" is in my book. Anyone who can't tell you to keep the gun locked up at home or to not start a dog-fighting ring is a liability and detriment to one's overall success -- hence fake.

When we hear of the mistakes made by these individuals, we only see them. What must be understood is that there are numerous other people, who will not be shown on the television screen, whom have surrounded that person and have not stepped in as a friend to help that person. The glitz and glam of fast, new money has a way of being quite blinding. Unfortunately the lessons of how not to handle it have yet to be thoroughly understood by those who need to understand it most. See ya'll in two weeks … Peace!!!

Dennis Winn can be reached at 703-200-4928 or YaHeard40@gmail.com.