Chris Brown Scandal

In recent news, two artists were missing from the Grammys: Chris Brown and Rihanna. I’m not going to explain the whole ordeal, because I’m sure we all have heard it on every music and news channel by now, but if you’re not up to speed, read the story here: http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2009/02/09/2009-02-09_chris_brown_revealed_history_of_family_a.html

So Chris Brown allegedly beat up girlfriend and R&B singer Rihanna. We don’t know why, what happened, or any real truths about the situation. I’m hearing a lot of different things about it: some say she hit him first, some say Rihanna is denying that her facial bruises came from him, and that they came from a minor accident, and some are saying that it was actually another woman that he got into an altercation with. Here’s what I think.

There is never a reason a man to hit a woman. Ever. However, I think we as fans and onlookers need to sit back and chill before we judge the boy. Although it has been confirmed that he turned himself in to the police, we don’t know what actually went on because—we weren’t there. The biggest issue I have with this is that everyone is being so judgmental, not only to his character but also to his artistry. Of course things are going to happen like Double Mint Gum dropping him from his endorsement deal, because the company doesn’t want negative attachments, but as fans? People are calling in to news programs saying they’ll never listen to his music again, blah blah blah, but is that really fair? I heard someone call into a show and say, “I want Rihanna to know that her fans have her back.” Really? You’re in Oregon calling a television hotline... Do you know her enough to “have her back?” Are you going to fly out to L.A. and find Chris Brown and slash his tires? I don’t think so… It’s really easy for us to judge a star whose business is constantly in the streets, but can we look at ourselves? How many arguments and altercations have we all gotten into with our significant others? We’re just lucky it’s not on the news…

In no way am I saying that Brown had any right to put his hands on any woman (whether it be his girlfriend or anyone else), but let’s try our best to realize that it’s really a sensitive and personal situation. It’s just really sad and unfortunate stars have their rights taken away from them as soon as they become public figures, and that’s just what you have to pay as a famous individual, whether it be in sports, music, acting, or otherwise. But somehow, we have to be mindful to that. We don’t know everything that happened. And that’s the reality. Let’s leave the situation to the people who were actually involved.