Domestic Abuse is Okay for Celebrities?
Kathryn Allen
Issue date: 3/11/09 Section: Op Ed
I'm nowhere near a die-hard fan of Chris Brown, but I'll admit it, 'Forever' was the soundtrack of my summer. Presently, whenever I hear that particularly catchy tune, I not only change the song, I feel guilty knowing the fact that my 99 cents were given to a wife-beater. On Sunday, February 8th, 2009, after a night out celebrating the upcoming Grammy's, Chris "Beat Down Brown" and his girlfriend, pop princess Rihanna got into a physical altercation, resulting in severe injuries for Rihanna.
The story has been plastered over all news media ranging from tabloid magazines, to celebrity gossip websites, and is even being discussed on daytime talk television shows such as 'The View.' Even if you're not paying attention to current celebrity news, the story is everywhere. But unlike every other frivolous celebrity gossip stories, like "Brangelina" and their ever expanding family circus, or whether Amy Winehouse is adding another trip to rehab to her resume, this conflict between such two widely known and talented performers is no laughing matter.
For someone who thinks that Chris Brown is the epitome of perfection, I was utterly shocked and skeptical of the story, labeling the news as just another rumor aimed at slandering his reputation. Then came the eyewitness accounts, police arrests, and horribly disturbing pictures of the aftermath, undoubtedly confirming that Brown used his spectacular dancing skills to win a boxing match against Rhianna.
With the story generating so much immediate press, many performers have issued public statements commenting on the situation. Unfortunately, celebrities such as T.I. and Terrance Howard have outwardly expressed sentiments of condolence and concern for Brown, truly calling into question how we, as an American society, view domestic abuse. When is it ever okay to inflict harm upon someone else, especially when that person is supposed to be your partner, your best friend, your loved one?
Although what exactly caused this violent argument to ensue is still unknown, the rumors have ranged from text messages alluding to unfaithfulness, to Rhianna throwing the car keys out the window. Whatever the cause may be, the answer to conflict is obviously never to turn and beat the living daylights out of your girlfriend. For such prominent figures to be lending support and solace to Brown is not only wrong and unacceptable, but they're supporting the shameful stereotype that male celebrities can get away with being womanizers.
Now I know it is quite safe to assume that the intelligent students of Manhattan College know right from wrong and are mature enough to realize that domestic abuse is never the answer to anyone's problems. With that being said, the audacity and ignorance of Chris Brown is disgusting. Is he blind to the fact that millions of teenagers idolize him on a daily basis, and furthermore that thousands look at his personal relationship with Rhianna as a model for their own lives?
As recently as two weeks after the beating, Chris has been spotted frolicking in Miami, jet skiing as if the memory of him being arrested for brutally harming his girlfriend never existed in his mind. The lack of responsibility and remorse that he has shown for the situation has made me lose all faith in Brown as a performer. It's a shame that a performer with so much talent and success showed his ugly side so early in the game.
The story has been plastered over all news media ranging from tabloid magazines, to celebrity gossip websites, and is even being discussed on daytime talk television shows such as 'The View.' Even if you're not paying attention to current celebrity news, the story is everywhere. But unlike every other frivolous celebrity gossip stories, like "Brangelina" and their ever expanding family circus, or whether Amy Winehouse is adding another trip to rehab to her resume, this conflict between such two widely known and talented performers is no laughing matter.
For someone who thinks that Chris Brown is the epitome of perfection, I was utterly shocked and skeptical of the story, labeling the news as just another rumor aimed at slandering his reputation. Then came the eyewitness accounts, police arrests, and horribly disturbing pictures of the aftermath, undoubtedly confirming that Brown used his spectacular dancing skills to win a boxing match against Rhianna.
With the story generating so much immediate press, many performers have issued public statements commenting on the situation. Unfortunately, celebrities such as T.I. and Terrance Howard have outwardly expressed sentiments of condolence and concern for Brown, truly calling into question how we, as an American society, view domestic abuse. When is it ever okay to inflict harm upon someone else, especially when that person is supposed to be your partner, your best friend, your loved one?
Although what exactly caused this violent argument to ensue is still unknown, the rumors have ranged from text messages alluding to unfaithfulness, to Rhianna throwing the car keys out the window. Whatever the cause may be, the answer to conflict is obviously never to turn and beat the living daylights out of your girlfriend. For such prominent figures to be lending support and solace to Brown is not only wrong and unacceptable, but they're supporting the shameful stereotype that male celebrities can get away with being womanizers.
Now I know it is quite safe to assume that the intelligent students of Manhattan College know right from wrong and are mature enough to realize that domestic abuse is never the answer to anyone's problems. With that being said, the audacity and ignorance of Chris Brown is disgusting. Is he blind to the fact that millions of teenagers idolize him on a daily basis, and furthermore that thousands look at his personal relationship with Rhianna as a model for their own lives?
As recently as two weeks after the beating, Chris has been spotted frolicking in Miami, jet skiing as if the memory of him being arrested for brutally harming his girlfriend never existed in his mind. The lack of responsibility and remorse that he has shown for the situation has made me lose all faith in Brown as a performer. It's a shame that a performer with so much talent and success showed his ugly side so early in the game.