Okay, let Chris Brown win a Grammy. A vote is a vote. But allowing him to perform on the Grammy’s is a slap in the face to survivors of domestic violence everywhere. I was willing to let my crusade against Brown’s THREE Grammy performances this year begin and end with a lengthy thread of debate on my Facebook page until I saw the latest update.
Apparently, Chris Brown is rumored to have approached an “attractive brunette” on February 10th at the Lasio Professional Hair Care suite Grammy gift lounge and dropped this innovative pick-up line:
“Can I get your number? I promise I won’t beat you!”
Though his rep has issued just a brief comment doubting Brown would say something “that stupid,” I can’t help but disagree. No, I don’t know Brown personally (something I feel quite thankful for), but judging by his past grace (we all remember when he threw a chair through the GMA window), I’d say this isn’t so far fetched.
Now, I know you’re all thinking “but I heard he and Rhianna were out together recently and have hooking up.” The struggle survivors face when faced with an abusive relationship is more than most of us could ever imagine and the battle to get them to leave is one many fight each day, and I certainly would never minimize that struggle for Rihanna.
But the Grammy’s didn’t just mess up once (or three times, but who’s counting?). If you haven’t had a chance to check out Rhianna’s video for “We Found Love” I suggest you do. But brace yourself. The video opens with a voiceover from fashion model Agyness Deyn saying, “You almost feel ashamed that someone could be that important. No one will ever understand how much it hurts… you almost wish that you could have all that bad stuff back, so that you have the good.”
The video shows Rhianna with a Brown look-a-like (Sisqo must not have been available) as they go through their relationship of sex, drugs, rock and roll, and some fun at an innocent carnival.
The Grammy’s should have never let Rhianna perform this song. The song on its face is catchy and has proven to be a hit in local Massachusetts gay bars, but the video has transformed it into a message about domestic violence that the we didn’t need to broadcast once again. The concept that abuse is but one moment, a few incidents, that don’t define the quality of the overall relationship is a dangerous message to send to men and women of any age. Sure, celebrities are usually not very good role models, but when you choose a life of such influence, there are topics that extend beyond any celebrities wishes to have a private life not meant to be a shining example for 12 year olds.
Take a look at some Tweets during the Grammy’s in response to Brown’s performance. Though violence of any kind, regardless of whatever type of relationship you’re in, is unacceptable, I’d be hard pressed to remember that if Brown ever approached me in a club. As a Facebook friend commented Sunday night, “I bet chris brown watches those illegal videos of foreign women killing baby animals with their spiked heels.”
