Spring Break
Pop Culture
by Shelly Shore
Staff Writer
Arts | 3/10/09
Posted online at 10:40 PM EST on 3/9/09
/ Last updated at 5:30 AM EST on 3/9/09
Domestic "Disturbia" is still going, kids.
Chris Brown and Rihanna made headlines back in February when TMZ reported that Brown had allegedly beaten Rihanna senseless and was being pursued by the police for assault charges. Over the course of the next few weeks, details were leaked slowly, including a blow-by-blow of the fight itself, rumors about pregnancy and cheating, pictures of blood on the interior of Brown's car and even a police photo of Rihanna's battered face.
Well, we're not done yet.
Rihanna shocked and appalled women's rights fighters everywhere when she took Brown back this week, apparently forgiving him for his "mistake." According to Star Magazine, she told a close friend: "It's not his fault. When he hurts me, he's a beast, but then he turns into my angel … He'll cry like a little baby when he makes it up to me, and that's the part I love." Apparently, Rihanna hasn't gotten the memo that abuse isn't a one-time thing-if it happens once, chances are it'll happen again.
On Friday, March 6, Chris Brown appeared in a Los Angeles court and was charged with two felonies: felony assault and making a criminal threat. Given there were visible injuries, the conviction of making criminal threats is punishable by up to nine years in prison. While Rihanna has expressed that she will testify against Brown if she is legally required to, fans are still disappointed with her. A user on the gossip site Oh No They Didn't wrote, "I probably won't ever look at her the same way again." Another fan on jezebel.com wrote, "Even though I understand the cycle of domestic violence … I am still angry and sad."
Still, some fans are doing their best to be understanding. "So many women don't have the strength to remove themselves from an abusive situation. That makes me incredibly sad."
It is incredibly sad. What's even sadder is the sheer number of people who will watch Rhianna's example and follow it, remaining in dangerous abusive situations under the belief that it is not their significant other who is hurting them but some other part of them. The cycle of domestic abuse will continue. While it's easy to understand Rihanna's struggle and the difficulty of her decision, as a high-profile role model she has a responsibility to do what's best for her followers-and herself.
Chris Brown and Rihanna made headlines back in February when TMZ reported that Brown had allegedly beaten Rihanna senseless and was being pursued by the police for assault charges. Over the course of the next few weeks, details were leaked slowly, including a blow-by-blow of the fight itself, rumors about pregnancy and cheating, pictures of blood on the interior of Brown's car and even a police photo of Rihanna's battered face.
Well, we're not done yet.
Rihanna shocked and appalled women's rights fighters everywhere when she took Brown back this week, apparently forgiving him for his "mistake." According to Star Magazine, she told a close friend: "It's not his fault. When he hurts me, he's a beast, but then he turns into my angel … He'll cry like a little baby when he makes it up to me, and that's the part I love." Apparently, Rihanna hasn't gotten the memo that abuse isn't a one-time thing-if it happens once, chances are it'll happen again.
On Friday, March 6, Chris Brown appeared in a Los Angeles court and was charged with two felonies: felony assault and making a criminal threat. Given there were visible injuries, the conviction of making criminal threats is punishable by up to nine years in prison. While Rihanna has expressed that she will testify against Brown if she is legally required to, fans are still disappointed with her. A user on the gossip site Oh No They Didn't wrote, "I probably won't ever look at her the same way again." Another fan on jezebel.com wrote, "Even though I understand the cycle of domestic violence … I am still angry and sad."
Still, some fans are doing their best to be understanding. "So many women don't have the strength to remove themselves from an abusive situation. That makes me incredibly sad."
It is incredibly sad. What's even sadder is the sheer number of people who will watch Rhianna's example and follow it, remaining in dangerous abusive situations under the belief that it is not their significant other who is hurting them but some other part of them. The cycle of domestic abuse will continue. While it's easy to understand Rihanna's struggle and the difficulty of her decision, as a high-profile role model she has a responsibility to do what's best for her followers-and herself.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Brooke
posted 3/10/09 @ 3:40 PM EST
I can say that honestly this reminds of Bobby Brown and Whitney Houstin. It is real sad that Rihanna felt that she took him back because she feels it wasn't him that was doing it. (Continued…)
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