We See Lies When we stop allowing ourselves to be blind to what’s true then we will see real progress.

                                                                                                                                                                 Whitney Houston’s last will and testament has been released.The 19-page document, obtained by Inside Edition, was read on Wednesday, March 7, in Atlanta, where it was filed. Unsurprisingly, Houston’s daughter, Bobbi Kristina, 19, will receive all of her mother’s money, furniture, clothing, personal effects, jewelry and cars.

As for the money: Houston’s riches will be placed in a trust until Bobbi Kristina turns 21. She will receive a portion at 21, more when she turns 25 and the full sum on her 30th birthday.

                                                                                                                                                Lil’ Kim, Vivica A. Fox and Tamar Braxton have all morphed into Muppet-like figures, looking like shells of their former selves rather than real people. All of the ladies were extremely attractive before undergoing and overdoing plastic surgery. If “civilian” black women are happy with themselves, then what’s going on with black celebrities?

Is being part of an industry where women who look hungry (Jolie), unnaturally thin (LeAnn Rimes), shredded (Madonna) and emaciated (Demi Moore) negatively affecting the high self-esteem that numerous studies show black women have even when heavier? Jada Pinkett Smith’s cheekbones appear to be implants, although some say they seem sharper because of severe weight loss. If they are implants, what is going on when someone as beautiful as Pinkett Smith would alter her looks and already fabulous cheekbones to such an extent? I won’t even mention the grinding down of broad noses to nostrils (Janet Jackson) or the butt implants (Nicki Minaj) that look as painful as they are ridiculous.

What is happening in Hollywood when black female celebrities are mutilating themselves and not getting any additional mileage out of their careers from the “tweaking”? How will their distorted bodies affect little black girls who are struggling to define themselves in an increasingly mediated society?

While it is a good thing that black women like themselves despite the way we are often demonized by mainstream media for being heavier or more voluptuous than some others, it doesn’t mean that all black women feel this way or that no black women suffer from body image issues. One has only to look toward Hollywood to see that constantly having to measure oneself against a standard of beauty you will never naturally meet can have major consequences. That challenge is just plain ugly

Bobby Brown left Whitney Houston’s funeral at Newark, N.J.’s New Hope Baptist Church shortly after the service began.

In a statement put out by his representative, he explained, “My children and I were invited to the funeral of my ex-wife Whitney Houston.  We were seated by security and then subsequently asked to move on three separate occasions.

“I fail to understand why security treated my family this way and continue to ask us and no one else to move,” he said.  “Security then prevented me from attempting to see my daughter Bobbi-Kristina. In light of the events, I gave a kiss to the casket of my ex-wife and departed as I refused to create a scene. My children are completely distraught over the events. This was a day to honor Whitney. I doubt Whitney would have wanted this to occur. I will continue to pay my respects to my ex-wife the best way I know how.”