This morning as I was leaving the house I heard an interview between Steve Harvey & Company with Judge Lynn Toler, you know the one who took Judge Mableen's place on Divorce Court. Well she was on the show to promote a special two-art episode that will air Thursday and Friday where Televangelist Juanita Bynum comes on the show to seek a dissolution of her marriage to Bishop Thomas Weeks III. But the thing is, I am not sure that her husband is even in the courtroom. (His attorney says their real mediation is scheduled for May 13th). So if there is a mediation scheduled, why the need to be on Divorce Court ? A need for publicity perhaps?
If you've been living under a rock you don't know the story, but here it is just in case: last summer Weeks attacked Bynum in the parking lot of an Atlanta hotel. Battered and bruised she held a press conference and mentioned that because she's been a victim of domestic violence this would be her new platform. Then came the two-part interview in Essence (complete with cover story). And then she was silent, sort of. Then last month, Weeks pleaded guilty to the charge and received three years probation. But the story didn't end there. Rumors of text messages between them in which she said she still loves him were rampant. Now comes her very public television divorce (before a real one happens).
Bynum may believe that she is doing this to be an example to women in the same situation. And the message to get out of dangerous situations and seek help is powerful. I think it would be more compelling, however, if she were telling it from a healed position. Are we to believe that she is already healed? If not, her actions are akin to inviting the world in to watch your open heart surgery with no anesthesia.
Maybe I am biased because I didn't jump on the Bynum bandwagon from jump street. I am always concerned when the messenger outshines the message. (The same reason that I won't attend a church that makes you stand on line to get in like you're at a concert.) However, she did sway me a bit last summer when I heard her speak at the Essence Music Festival. But I do remember her talking about her skin care and cosmetics lines and it gave me pause. Still, I even bought her CD. Later, I gave her the benefit of the doubt when those You Tube videos featuring snippets of her sermons began circulating. One of them focused on her telling her audience they needed $500 pens. (Remember how Jeremiah Wright came across in a sound bite.) But somewhere between the Festival and now, she lost me.I decided she really wasn't my cup of tea but may be an effective trumpet for a specific audience. But right now I can't help but look at her sideways anyway because this Divorce Court appearance seems suspect to me. Tell me, am I missing something here? And if any of you watch these shows please let a sister know what you think. As you know I have become reality adverse and that's exactly what this seems to be.
