As R&B Singer, Rihanna's story unfolds, there's something that really got me to thinking. As I sat in my car on this sunny St. Patrick's Day listening to her song, my heart went out to her all over again.Yes, she's recording a duet with that woman-beatin' man of hers. Yes, I hope he's prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Yes, I hope they both find some sort of peaceful retribution for the pains they wear. But, damn -- I have to wonder, should we have seen this coming?
We oftentimes embrace the principle that personal matters should never be brought into a workplace.... and in theory, that would be wonderful. But, we all know that the human mind rarely works that way. I believe that when your personal life is in turmoil, unless you have split personalities, that turmoil will manifest itself in every little thing you do.
Now, let's take Rihanna into consideration. She's a singer, and just a couple of thoughts ago, I asked should we have seen this coming. Where I'm going with that is... think of her song titles, Disturbia, S.O.S., Unfaithful, Hate That I Love You, Rehab, Breaking Dishes.... and the list goes on and on...
I guess rich and famous celebrities can't even escape the ills of humanity. They cry out just like everyone else, and I wonder did anyone listen to her prior to her assault being plastered all over the news....
yep celebs are just like us...
ReplyDeleteIt's a sad story, one we hear far too often, but one that is more prevalent in the middle and lower classes of America.
ReplyDeleteDoesn't make it any less distasteful that Rihanna is one of the haves, and there are many more have nots in the same boat.
It's just another example that, across lines of wealth and gender and color and age and orientation, we are all the same.
It could have been any of us.
You know what really grabs me on this guys... is the fact that she's so damned young. A wonderful life is sprawling ahead of her, and this whole thing will forever change that.
ReplyDeleteI hear ya, fellas... they are just like us, and it could be anyone -- but the darker, deeper message is... she would have had to literally get on stage and sing "My man's beating me" -- a one line song over and over again before anyone even turned an eye.
I liken it to the "Car Alarm Effect". You hear someone's car alarm go off, and what do you think about it? How many of us have called the cops vs. how many of us brush it off as a cat dancing on someone's hood?
2 words!!!.... Tina Turner!!!...she came out on top....I think Rihanna will to!!
ReplyDeleteI believe and this is just me, that many times, we, the public at large, place our role models ie movie stars, singers and other fandom-based mortals onto a pedestal that seemingly they cannot possibly fall off of and yet, when they do - victim or aggressor - the fall is all too great in dimension and a spectacle for the entire world to view. It is true as well that they, too, are just like the rest of "us". Potential targets as victim as well as potential labels for being the aggressor. We each breath the same air, drink in the joys of life and bare fruits of our labor based upon what we are taught to believe in most. The choice between right or wrong however, is sometimes a lesson that even the most powerful in stature or enamored as being brilliant and most talented cannot seem to learn in a single moment of chance. A shame really; to be blinded by what we know to be unjust but at the time we are being abused/used, we look far and away rather than near and within. Another fine piece of "blognificence", my friend.
ReplyDeletewhere are parents in this situation?
ReplyDeleteWhy is everyone so quick to jump to the woman's defense when no one knows the real story.
ReplyDeleteKevin, you remark on how young she is and how this will change everything for her. That's a little naive. She'll feed off this for years. She's media product.
And as for Chris Brown, he too is a victim. "That woman-beatin' man of hers..." Such judgement! He's only a kid himself. And, if he did do that which he is accused of, perhaps people should look to the causes of the problems, not the symtoms (namely the whole "baby boy" culture these guys are trapped into.)
Wow, ka-os. Our first argument! How monumental -- let's start with the naivety on my part. The Tina Turners and Robin Givens of the world would whole-hearted disagree with that part of your comment. Yes, she's a media product, but she's not the first young celebrity to go through something like this. Whether she feeds off it or not, the true naivety is in believing that it won't change everything for her in one way or another... emotionally and professionally. Many of us that are old enough to remember past stories know how this song and dance go, my friend.
ReplyDeleteAs for knowing the real story, yes, there are always different angles. But the public DOES know that he has apologized. The public also knows that she walked away beaten, and he has yet to show any defensive wounds on his body. The public DOES know that there are no other suspects in this case, and Rihanna has yet to indicate that someone else beat her. This is all about putting 2 and 2 together, and recognizing the behavior of a victim of physical abuse -- not judgment. In fact, I did write that I hope he found some sort of peace just like her.
Which leads to your thoughts that he is a victim. I agree. But "people" shouldn't look to the causes of his problems -- he should, and quick. I am not familiar with the "baby boy" culture you are referring that he's 'trapped' in -- but I'm sure there are countless other young singers and celebrities out there that may be trapped in it as well. Do their girlfriends (or boyfriends) end up beaten?
Thanks for your thoughts, ka-os.
LOL... we aren't arguing, just engaging in a lil healthy debate.
ReplyDeleteYes, he has apologised. But, again, he's a kid: how many advisors do you think pressured him into making that statement, whether he wanted to or not (not to mention pressure from the public). I guess what really bugs me about this whole thing is that everyone, male/female, gay/straight, is automatically on the side of the female. Just because she was hit doesn't make her right, or a victim. It seems to me that women are allowed to say and do exactly as they please and (straight) men are expected to lie down and take it.
In other words, Brown has been tried and convicted just because he's a man. Where's the equality in that?
Lastly, I've never physically struck someone how I was with, but, like a lot of us, I've been in an abusive relationship, where I was the "victim", so I like to think I know a thing or two about it.
Thanks for responding, even though you completely disagree with me on this!