One of the biggest entertainment events took place last week
on Sunday, the Grammy Awards. And while I did not watch the actual awards show
myself, I was able to read several perspectives on a very controversial topic
in relation to the Grammys. For one, both singers Chris Brown and Rihanna were
in attendance. This is only possible after Rihanna lifted a restraining order
against Chris Brown sometime last year, only about two years after he violently
assaulted her on the eve of the 2009 Grammy awards. What seems to be shocking,
at least to me, are the allegations that Rihanna and Chris Brown may be getting
back together, they have recently recorded a song together and he has been seen
in attendance at one of Rihanna’s parties. I think it is needless to say that this
issue is not solely about Rihanna and Chris Brown, but rather that this is
about the image that is projected and received by many of their fans. Many of
the articles I read mentioned that the Grammys also played a huge role in
perpetuating the idea that if you are violent against women, and if you swiftly
apologize, then you will be welcomed back as if you were some sort of a hero,
who survived something. Chris brown has quickly been re-embraced by his fans
and the awards committees and all of this sends a clear, troubling, message: if
a man is violent against women, she is to blame, and we should prevent the
abuser from moving on by continually bringing up the incident. Many people will
undoubtedly make the argument that if Rihanna has already forgiven him and even
wants him back in her life, why can’t we too forgive him? I think that the
answer to that, at least for me, lies in the fact that Chris Brown never
acknowledged the extent of his actions against Rihanna and he acted like he was
the victim throughout the years even now. Sure, his ratings may have suffered
for maybe a year or so, but I think it makes sense that some people would
refuse to listen to music put out by a person who is violent against women. In
the time after his altercation with Rihanna, I think it is important to note
that Chris Brown failed on many occasions to have a real conversation about the
seriousness of the issue and how to prevent it from occurring again or ever. He
has been incredibly childish in refusing to speak on the matter and has, in my
opinion, shown his true colors (smashing windows, walking out from interviews,
etc.). Chris Brown’s influence is huge and I think that we as a society
underestimate his influence. This evident in his young female fans who took to
the internet to live-tweet about him during the Grammys, where comments such
as, “Chris Brown can beat me if he wants to,” were hugely popular. One may hope
that even if Rihanna and Chris Brown do end up together, as a society we will
not stop speaking up about domestic violence and hopefully make the abuser more
accountable for his actions instead of excusing them.
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