Chris Brown’s Acts of Violence Brushed Aside for Sake of “Talent”
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March 1, 2012 • Emma Reif, Print Opinions Editor
Filed under Entertainment, Opinions
Flashback to 2008. Chris Brown was at the peak of his career, releasing single after single in a constant stream of success, dating the beautiful singer Rihanna, respected by music critics, and beloved by millions of fans. But then, after one evening, it all fell to pieces.
This excerpt of the police report, taken from MTV.com, is only a snippet of the infamous events that took place between Rihanna and Brown.
“A verbal argument ensued and Brown pulled the vehicle over on an unknown street, reached over Robyn F. with his right hand, opened the car door and attempted to force her out. Brown was unable to force Robyn F. out of the vehicle because she was wearing a seat belt. When he could not force her to exit, he took his right hand and shoved her head against he passenger window of the vehicle, causing an approximate one-inch raised circular contusion.”
Chris Brown should be in jail for his brutal actions. And yet, this man of violence is performing on the Grammy’s to thousands of adoring fans.
Allowing Chris Brown to perform at the Grammy’s is a disgrace not only to Rihanna, but to the 1.3 million women who are victims of domestic abuse each year. Brown’s actions have labeled him as a violent, malicious criminal two years ago, and this label does not change with the passage of time. Brown’s actions are condoned for the sake of his “talent,” and this sends the message out to young people everywhere that violence in relationships is accepted in society’s eyes.
The reaction students had to Brown’s performance simply supports this theory. The amount of girls tweeting “Chris Brown can hit me any day, as long as he’ll kiss me after!” and other variations of this notion has numbered so great, websites have formed, compiling some of the worst quotes.
“Girls are placed off track by the glitz and glamour and lose track of reality,” senior Kendra Austen said. “I find it disturbing how people can get over public abuse and battery so quickly.”
Chris Brown is back to his superhuman status as pop artist and teenage heartthrob again, as if nothing had happened. The pain that he put Rihanna, her family and friends, meant nothing, apparently.
Rihanna recently released a new single, labeled “Birthday Cake”, featuring her ex boyfriend and attacker. This sexually explicit song includes lyrics reading “It’s not even her birthday, but I want to lick the icing off” and “I know you wanna bite this.” Although whether Rihanna is back with Brown or not is still debated, it not uncommon for abused women to stay with their partner.
According to CNN.com, many women do return to their abusers, due to a “pendulum of pain” effect. After the fear has subsided from an attack, the woman begins to feel guilt and pity for her partner, and her emotions overcome her natural instinct to flee. Rihanna is falling into that same down spiraling category.
Rihanna needs support than ever from her fans, support from them to give her the strength to leave Brown, once and for all. No woman should be subject to such humiliation, pain, and heartache.
Abuse isn’t just a feminist issue, it’s a human rights issue. Chris Brown isn’t an artist, he’s a lip synching idiot who’s gotten by on his good looks and mediocre hip hop tracks. Besides, violent actions should in no way be condoned because of the talent or fame the afflicter possesses. Whether the greatest musician in the world or just an average person, abuse is illegal, immoral, and inhumane, and it labels the perpetrator as a criminal.
Watch this poignant television ad for the PSA about domestic abuse.
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