Disappointed. Enraged. Sympathetic. Those are only a few of the thing I feel right now. Thursday night I sat in front of my television, anticipating the first appearance of the Backstreet Boys with all five members intact. Was I pleased? Not in the least. I am not even going to start on Kevin..because, well, I’m sure most of you know my opinion on the new look he so eloquently sports. Instead, I am going to dive right into the host. Jamie Foxx.

I understand that many people are not particularly fond of the Backstreet Boys. That’s a given. I also am aware that someone chosen to host the Video Music Awards may not be a huge BSB fan, either. Fine. But it is my belief that all humans should act descent, respectably and polite. Mr. Foxx was none of the above. Jamie Foxx’s jokes were cruel, and cold-hearted. They disrespected AJ McLean, and the Backstreet Boys in addition to every other human being in the world who has suffered from alcoholism. Addiction to anything is not something to be taken lightly, and sure as hell isn’t something to be joked about. AJ has a serious problem, and the man had enough confidence and pride to make this problem public knowledge. He got help, and he is still fighting. Mocking him, or making him the butt of your comedy act is not going to help him along with his battle.

MTV should be ashamed of itself. To allow such harsh words to be spoken on a show, viewed by millions, was irresponsible. Teenagers world wide tune into MTV daily, youths learn ‘life’ from this channel. It is wrong to belittle someone for having a problem that 13 million other Americans suffer from each day. For a channel who is supposed to care so much for musicians, they showed complete lack of compassion in regards to AJ. Quite the example MTV has set for the children of today. Huh?

I received a petition written to MTV in regards to the VMA’s, which I gladly signed. Written in this petition was an extremely good point. MTV announced ‘up to the minute’ news on AJ and his battle with alcoholism. And then turn around, as soon as AJ is released from rehabilitation, to insult and ridicule him. NSYNC has recently posed for ads promoting safe sex.... Joey Fatone is a FATHER, unwed, mind you. He has participated in premarital sex...and is now left with the responsibility of a child to care for. Teenagers look up to him, idolize him, and whatever Joey does, they want to do. Sex included. Did anyone at MTV point that out?? When ‘rockers’ go public with drug problems..do they get mocked?? The answer is NO, no to everything. So why is AJ the exception? Exactly, there is no reason for everyone else to move on with their lives while AJ must stand to take the insults and cruel jokes. It’s unfair, degrading, and affects more than JUST AJ.

AJ took a stand, and fought against his addiction. He had enough faith in humanity to admit he had a problem. Backstreet had the decency to go to MTV first..to let the world know that one of their members was in need of help. And how are they re-paid? Alcoholism is widely known and experienced by MANY. Insulting a recovering alcoholic is in turn insulting and disrespecting fellow alcoholics as well as friends, family and FANS of those who suffer from this popular problem. MTV was not mocking one lone person, they were mocking an entire community, country, and world.