Rihanna's Battered Face is Now on Display
Her Fame Can Be Used to Highlight This Kind of Senseless Abuse
Feb 20, 2009
The torrid and often times unreliable world of tabloid media, those publications like Star Magazine, the National Enquirer Magazine and most recently TMZ are seemingly always on the prowl. Which can often mean reporters hanging out at LAX, or working hard to follow or stake out celebrity hangouts, homes and vacation haunts. All to get the so-called dish on famous people's private information, private intimate moments, and gathering intelligence about their all to personal liaisons. Perhaps it's this public fascination and seeming titillation with the famous (i.e. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie) as well as the infamous (i.e. O.J. Simpson and Michael Jackson) that leads to the kind of interest in a story like the physical battering of entertainer Rihanna by her former companion Chris Brown.
Interest in Story Stems From Popularity and Status of the Now Infamous Former Couple
As the no-show Grammy speculation regarding both scheduled performers Rihanna and Brown circulated throughout traditional news media circles, the tabloid genre geared up for its usual circle and then strike like vultures mode over the story. The tabloid media upstart TMZ and the programs executive producer Harvey Levin commenting on the TMZ television program said that he had seen the photos of Rihanna and this was not a joke, may have actually gotten this one absolutely correct. Rihanna, a very popular 19 year-old singing sensation and former model and beauty queen from Barbados, is a multi-platinum selling artist who is currently tied with fellow artist Beyonc'e Knowles for the most number one hit songs of the decade according to statistics from Billboard magazine. Is now at odds with the formerly squeaky clean American singer-songwriter, dancer, music video director and actor Chris Brown, who at the ripe-old-age of 18 has enjoyed phenomenal success as a multi-platinum selling recording artist as well as having taken an interest in acting and directing. With unlimited potential it could be ruinous to his music career and to the image he has created for himself which has allowed him to be as successful as he has been to this point.
Concern For Rihanna's welfare Verses Potential Incarceration For Chris Brown
Much speculation surrounds the the former couple with the public rightly concerned for Rihanna's well-being, while at the same time showing an obvious disdain for the physical abuse dished out by Brown. Since the incident there has been constant speculation as to whether Brown will eventually be charged for making criminal threats and assault or battery, or if he will able to avoid being charged in an area of the country that has a reputation of being lenient on celebrities. The other obvious speculation surrounds what the argument that spilled over into a physical confrontation could have been about. Rumors have circulated around the tabloids and the internet about potential infidelity that could have led to the altercation.
Bigger Question is Related to Abuse of Women
The more important issue that this whole sordid tale my bring to light is the plight of women in abusive male dominated relationships. Some interesting statistics from the American Journal of Public Health (1/2008) concerning battered women include:
- 7% of women (3.9 million) are physically abused by their partners, and 37% (20.7 million) are verbally or emotionally abused.
- Every 9 seconds a woman is physically abused by her husband.
- 95% of assaults on spouses or ex-spouses are committed by men against women.
- 30% of women presenting with injuries to the emergency department are caused by battering.
Perhaps through this terrible event Rihanna or Brown my find the strength of character to draw proper attention to this difficult but important issue. It might be prudent for one or both to get ahead of this scandal by creating a non-profit organization or becoming the spokesperson (in Rihanna's case) for this issue by using their celebrity status and monetary wealth in this very constructive and positive way.
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