RIHANNA'S UNAPOLOGETIC LIVES UP TO ITS TITLE
While Rihanna is not singing from the same song-sheet as domestic
violence campaigners, her album will surely spark further, much-needed
discussion of the issue.
*Rihanna clearly has no yearning desire for an easy life. Unapologetic is her seventh album in seven years and arguably the most contentious due to the presence of an abusive ex-boyfriend, Chris Brown, and some provocative lyrics.
The title sets the tone: this is a record that some will find shocking.
The two have reportedly reunited recently…both sending messages that can be interpreted as being insensitive to the issue of domestic violence.
According to the book Health First! The Black Woman’s Wellness Guide, “every 15 seconds, a woman in the United States is beaten by her partner and one in four women has experienced some form of violence at least once in their lifetime.” Black women, as with many other factors, are impacted by domestic violence more so than White women. The consequences of the attacks by someone they love are more deadly for Black women.
Rihanna is busy promoting her latest album, Unapologetic. As with the title of her album, she seems unapologetic regarding how she has chosen to live her life. Granted she is free to love who she wants, but it seems she may be flaunting her abuse experience through her nonchalant attitude and her profanity and violence infused lyrics.
Oprah’s recent Next Chapter interview of Rihanna provided a very revealing glimpse into the complexities of her frame of mind. Rihanna admitted that she had forgiven Chris because she loves him. She also connected her experience to him to her relationship with her father, coming to terms with both. She shared how she had a strained relationship with her father because of his abuse of drugs and her mother. Interestingly, it was reported that Brown’s stepfather abused his mother as well.
She felt as if she “lost (her) best friend.” Instead of feeling like a victim, she felt protective of Chris because all the bad attention he was getting. Before forgiving Chris and restoring the love, she had to get through her anger…anger that she expressed in her music, clothes and attitude. Perhaps this is what we see in her “We Found Love”, “Man Down” and other videos.
Brown pleaded guilty to hitting, biting and chocking Rihanna during an argument after they drove from a pre-Grammy party. As a result, Brown was sentenced to 180 days of community service, five years probation and domestic violence counseling. Additionally the judge issued a five-year restraining order prohibiting Brown from being within 50 yards of Rihanna…clearly this is null and void now.
He seems to have expressed little public remorse, besides his two-minute YouTube in July of 2009, regarding the abuse. Brown reportedly destroyed his dressing room and broke a window following an interview with Robin Roberts on Good Morning American in March of 2011.
During the interview Roberts asked Brown about Rihanna. Though he told Roberts he was past that, clearly his destructive outburst showed he had not fully come to grips with his anger issues.
Prior to reuniting with Rihanna, Brown had been in a two-year relationship with aspiring model Karrueche Tran.
Thankfully, no intimate violence was reported between them. Yet, there was a lot of media attention on their relationship and rumors of reconciliation between Rihanna and Brown during the same timeframe.
Rihanna and Tran were engaged in Twitter battles regarding Brown.
Jay Z and others have reportedly expressed their displeasure with Brown’s treatment of Rihanna. Jay Z, who took the then 16-year-old Barbados born newcomer and propelled her to stardom, reportedly expressed his disappointment when the two love birds released duets (“Birthday Cake” and “Turn Up the Music”) earlier this year.
The two were caught hugging and kissing at the 2012 MTV VMAs. Rihanna even affectionately patted Chris on the head. The couple clearly have a connection to each other that perhaps only they can understand. They reportedly spent Thanksgiving together as well.
Although Rihanna may have forgiven him, many are still very angry and unforgiving, with outraged columnists accusing the singer of almost single-handedly derailing feminism.
The reunion of Rihanna and Chris may be their personal business. But domestic violence is the business of everyone. but on a personal note ...I wish them love and good luck!
TIME 100: The List
By Stella McCartneyWednesday, Apr. 18, 2012
TIME magazine has named Rihanna one of the most influential people in the world.
PHOTO: Terry Richardson
I can't remember when Rihanna and I first met, but I think it was near a dance floor and one of her tracks was playing. The thing I remember was her being a normal person, not what you'd expect of a young woman about to take over the world. She's one of the coolest, hottest, most talented, most liked, most listened to, most followed, most impressive artists at work today, but she does it in her own stride. She works hard, very hard. She gives to her fans, friends and foundation not just herself but her energy and spirit.
Rihanna, 24, goes out of her way to support the people she believes in. She is one of the few people I know in that world of fame and celebrity who aren't all about themselves. She'll give a real part of herself to an ordinary person she may meet, and that's rare.
*Rihanna clearly has no yearning desire for an easy life. Unapologetic is her seventh album in seven years and arguably the most contentious due to the presence of an abusive ex-boyfriend, Chris Brown, and some provocative lyrics.
The title sets the tone: this is a record that some will find shocking.
The two have reportedly reunited recently…both sending messages that can be interpreted as being insensitive to the issue of domestic violence.
According to the book Health First! The Black Woman’s Wellness Guide, “every 15 seconds, a woman in the United States is beaten by her partner and one in four women has experienced some form of violence at least once in their lifetime.” Black women, as with many other factors, are impacted by domestic violence more so than White women. The consequences of the attacks by someone they love are more deadly for Black women. Rihanna is busy promoting her latest album, Unapologetic. As with the title of her album, she seems unapologetic regarding how she has chosen to live her life. Granted she is free to love who she wants, but it seems she may be flaunting her abuse experience through her nonchalant attitude and her profanity and violence infused lyrics.
Oprah’s recent Next Chapter interview of Rihanna provided a very revealing glimpse into the complexities of her frame of mind. Rihanna admitted that she had forgiven Chris because she loves him. She also connected her experience to him to her relationship with her father, coming to terms with both. She shared how she had a strained relationship with her father because of his abuse of drugs and her mother. Interestingly, it was reported that Brown’s stepfather abused his mother as well.
She felt as if she “lost (her) best friend.” Instead of feeling like a victim, she felt protective of Chris because all the bad attention he was getting. Before forgiving Chris and restoring the love, she had to get through her anger…anger that she expressed in her music, clothes and attitude. Perhaps this is what we see in her “We Found Love”, “Man Down” and other videos.
Brown pleaded guilty to hitting, biting and chocking Rihanna during an argument after they drove from a pre-Grammy party. As a result, Brown was sentenced to 180 days of community service, five years probation and domestic violence counseling. Additionally the judge issued a five-year restraining order prohibiting Brown from being within 50 yards of Rihanna…clearly this is null and void now.
He seems to have expressed little public remorse, besides his two-minute YouTube in July of 2009, regarding the abuse. Brown reportedly destroyed his dressing room and broke a window following an interview with Robin Roberts on Good Morning American in March of 2011.
During the interview Roberts asked Brown about Rihanna. Though he told Roberts he was past that, clearly his destructive outburst showed he had not fully come to grips with his anger issues.
Prior to reuniting with Rihanna, Brown had been in a two-year relationship with aspiring model Karrueche Tran.
Thankfully, no intimate violence was reported between them. Yet, there was a lot of media attention on their relationship and rumors of reconciliation between Rihanna and Brown during the same timeframe.
Rihanna and Tran were engaged in Twitter battles regarding Brown.
Jay Z and others have reportedly expressed their displeasure with Brown’s treatment of Rihanna. Jay Z, who took the then 16-year-old Barbados born newcomer and propelled her to stardom, reportedly expressed his disappointment when the two love birds released duets (“Birthday Cake” and “Turn Up the Music”) earlier this year.
The two were caught hugging and kissing at the 2012 MTV VMAs. Rihanna even affectionately patted Chris on the head. The couple clearly have a connection to each other that perhaps only they can understand. They reportedly spent Thanksgiving together as well.
Although Rihanna may have forgiven him, many are still very angry and unforgiving, with outraged columnists accusing the singer of almost single-handedly derailing feminism.
The reunion of Rihanna and Chris may be their personal business. But domestic violence is the business of everyone. but on a personal note ...I wish them love and good luck!
TIME 100: The List
By Stella McCartneyWednesday, Apr. 18, 2012
TIME magazine has named Rihanna one of the most influential people in the world.
PHOTO: Terry Richardson I can't remember when Rihanna and I first met, but I think it was near a dance floor and one of her tracks was playing. The thing I remember was her being a normal person, not what you'd expect of a young woman about to take over the world. She's one of the coolest, hottest, most talented, most liked, most listened to, most followed, most impressive artists at work today, but she does it in her own stride. She works hard, very hard. She gives to her fans, friends and foundation not just herself but her energy and spirit.
Rihanna, 24, goes out of her way to support the people she believes in. She is one of the few people I know in that world of fame and celebrity who aren't all about themselves. She'll give a real part of herself to an ordinary person she may meet, and that's rare.
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