Ms. Direction

Chris Brown continues

The compilation of “I’d let Chris Brown beat me” tweets that I posted got over 700 notes, so while I really wasnt planning on writing a huge big thing about this, here are a few more thoughts/opionons/responses on the subject.

“It’s not that Chris Brown is categorically unforgivable. It’s more that he’s no longer an acceptable vehicle for corporations to use to sell products to young adults. On a human level, I’m more than willing to eventually forgive Chris Brown, once he seems genuinely remorseful and changed (which, at this point, he definitely does not). But there’s no obligation to continue supporting him as a pop star. Chris Brown would not exist without millions of dollars of production and marketing and styling and whatever else. He’s not some troubled genius that exists on his own, creating pop music in a corner. He’s just a handsome and fit guy who can dance and sing pretty well. There are plenty of other people who are more than capable of filling that role and who haven’t beat a woman into a state of unconsciousness. Why not give one of them a chance to be rich and famous instead?”

— VICE on Cord’s Chris Brown post

Police report detailing the Chris Brown/Rihanna incident

The post that started it all: I’M NOT OKAY WITH CHRIS BROWN PERFORMING AT THE GRAMMYS AND I’M NOT SURE WHY YOU ARE

Responses to…

“OMG it was a joke. I dont actually want Chris Brown to hit me.” Ok so, you think domestic violence is funny? No. But jokes are meant to be funny, right? I was just pushing the envelope, being edgy. But by saying that, you’re essentially saying domestic violence is anything less than a very serious issue that should be addressed in our society.

Everyone has a line of what they consider is funny and not. I’ve said inappropriate things before and I’ll say them in the future. I have, on occasion giggled (more out of discomfort than something hitting my funny bone) at a joke that was in very poor taste. But my line is definitely domestic violence and I will stand up for this more than anything else. If you think saying something like “I’d totally let Chris Brown beat me” is in any way anything other than a horrible reminder that you’re the sort of person that allows domestic violence to continue in this society then you deserve all the hate coming your way.

“If Rihanna is ok with it, why arent you?” Firstly, I very much doubt Rihanna is okay with it. She might not want to play the victim for the rest of her life. She might not want to be reminded about the situation over and over again. She might not want to see the images of her bruised, swollen face ever again but I highly doubt she is okay with the situation. She may understand that in her line of work, she will run into Chris Brown and doesnt want that to be a big deal. She may understand other factors about their personal relationship that we will never know. But I’m sure she’s not okay with it.

And whether or not she is okay with it, doesnt mean I have to be. If Rihanna, in all her fame and influence, won’t stand up against domestic abuse, someone has to. And if that falls to random internet bloggers who will cop abusive comments then so be it. I’d so much rather someone, anyone, stands up against this issue rather than sweeping it under the carpet because the actual victim refuses - for whatever reason - to discuss it.

“But he hasnt done it again!” And he completed his probation and anger management etc etc. Does not make the fact that he ever beat someone so hard it warranted hospitalisation okay. See above quote about Chris Brown not appearing remorseful and now this tweet from him. I can almost guarantee he will hit another woman in the future. What if he hit Rihanna so hard she died. Would it still be okay that he “hasn’t done it since”?

“You’re not angry at [other celebrity] and he did the same thing (or worse) once!” Generally speaking, people are usually outraged at other celebrities for their behaviour (especially when it involves violence). The reason it doesn’t seem like as a big of a deal as this is because other celebrities show remose and creep back into the limelight slowly. Hardly ever has anyone demanded their poor life choices not effect their careers like Chris Brown has. Others do their dues. And while it doesn’t make their past actions ok, if there is ever a second chance, it should be awarded in those situations rather than to Chris Brown.

On top of this, the Grammy’s were the self-proclaimed “victims” of Chris Brown outburst 3 years ago, so for such a huge institution to invite him to perform after these kinds of actions perpetuates the idea that the whole situation is over/is okay, and another “victim” will just forgive and forget. Rarely do large companies continue their support of an artist when police reports as serious as the one linked above are involved.

“Don’t people deserve second chances?” In my opinion, no. Not in this case. And when they do, they have to work for it. You can’t just expect a second chance.