Run's House Rules

I was draped on my couch feeing sorry for myself because I woke up with a bad cold and had to cancel Marathon brunch plans, when inspiration came in an unusual form. I was flipping through the channels and paused on MTV. The network was displaying a marathon of its own of episodes of "Run's House," a reality show featuring ex-rapper turned reverend, Joseph "Run" Simmons of Run-DMC. Now I was a Run-DMC fan back in the day (Remember "Walk this Way", "Mary, Mary" and You be Illin' "?) so I thought I would check the show out. Run, his wife Justine, and their 2 daughters (Angela & Vanessa) & 3 sons (JoJo, Diggy & Russel II) live in a Mc Mansion in suburban New Jersey.

On the episode I was watching, the youngest boy, Russel II, kept swiping his older brother, Diggy's clothes. He would then stroll around the house in them. Run & his eldest son, JoJo, thought that the baby was jealous of Diggy's newfound popularity with the ladies. And by ladies, I mean middle-school suburban NJ girls :-) While he & Russel II were trying to play video games, a half dozen girls called looking for the very suave Diggy.

Run tried to cheer up his youngest son by taking him on a shopping trip to "Diggify" his wardrobe. He was careful to stay within a reasonable budget, and it was refreshing to see that there are celebrities who sill understand the value of money and are willing to impress this lesson upon their children. Score one for Reverend Run.

Back home, Russel II swaggers into the living room to the delight of his very supportive family. But Diggy gives his brother the benefit of his wisdom. He tells him that he gets that it's not about the ladies, but that Russel just wants to fit in at school and be popular like Diggy. He tells him, however, that he has to do it by being himself & not by copying anyone else. Score one for Diggy.

They have different family sayings like, "Squashed." Angela & Vanessa have a disagreement over their collaborative work for the family's clothing label. These two young ladies express themselves directly & honestly & with respect for each other. At the end of their discussion, they make sure that the topic is now "Squashed," which means their disagreement is truly resolved b/c it is forgiven & will be left in the past. They have a little hand gesture routine that goes along with it. Score one for Angela & Vanessa.

The values this family has and the way the members communicate & show their caring was absolutely inspiring. In a world where swag reigns and Sweet Sixteen is anything but, where celebrities encourage their children to run wild and conspicuous consumption has reached obscene heights, it is reassuring to know there are families like Run & Justine's. I can't wait to see what happens next week!