
.authored by something.of.substance.
(originally published 2/22/09 on WL + addendum added 3/8/09)
The horror of intimate partner violence, as demonstrated by celebrity music couple Rihanna and Chris Brown, is in no way glamorous. Or, so you’d think. Yet, teenagers interviewed by the Chicago Tribune not only supported Brown’s actions but started coming out as members of intimate partner violence themselves. Here’s the twist: they’re showing off the wounds they’re proud to have incurred in the name of “love”.
Not every teen interviewed by the paper condoned violence. Some called it “bogus” and others said violence is never allowed. These teens appear to be in the minority. As written in the February 20th article for the Tribune:
“…other teens insist violence is sometimes justified in relationships.
While young fans have plastered Rihanna’s MySpace page with notes of support, many comments on Brown’s page express delight at the possibility that he battered a woman.
Kriana Jackson, a sophomore at Sullivan, said it’s a sign of a broader culture of acceptance of abuse.
“There was a girl at school this week with a scratch on her eye,” Jackson said. “She was talking openly about her boyfriend hitting her, but she was smiling and saying it was funny.”
Young people carry these attitudes into adulthood, experts say, and young targets of dating violence are more likely to succumb to aggression in later relationships. …”
Google searches for “Rhianna and Chris Brown in love” are up. YouTube videos like “Chris Brown & Rihanna KISSING” have seen their views jump into the multi-millions in the past week. Comments are also rising accordingly. Surprisingly (or maybe not), public opinion is split two ways. Either intimate partner violence is seen as a “mistake”-
“god, EVERYONE makes mistakes. we’re not perfect. stop hating on chris and just imagine for a second, you’re in his position”
or indefensible-
“All men who hit women for any reason need to be eliminated period. Chris Brown you look like a woman beater.. I can see it in your eyes.. It’s sickening to see all these unreal affectionate pictures of these 2.. Don’t ever let a cute or pretty picture of a couple fool you. The handsome, talented man can hypnotize you with his fame and popularity, but is only good at putting on his act. In reality he mostly likely only has 3 brain cells..”.
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