Smita Satiani examines the different levels of privacy or respect accorded to Rihanna and accorded to Chris Brown and then provides a sober assessment of our male-dominated culture's rationalization of terrorism or violence against women. They say, 'we've come a long way baby,' yet the culture continues to operate on the assumption that boys will be boys and violence against women is not terrorism, it's not a hate crime, it's just something we have to live with. Besides, she was probably asking for it. The video clip of Rihanna under the microscope serves as Exhibit A. I recommend reading the entire post. Here's an excerpt:
Holed up in an 8th floor suite of the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas, Chris Brown managed to stay reasonably clear from the majority of press and public following his alleged attack on girlfriend Rihanna. Not until days later did he release a statement of apology, and according to the LAPD, we will likely never see his mug-shot . While it is fair to say Brown’s image has been criticized, his privacy, in many instances, has been preserved.
We cannot say the same for Rihanna. Going where no major news outlet had yet gone, The LA Times revealed Rihanna’s identity as the victim, calling it “fair game.” Immediately, many charged Rihanna to report and prosecute, claiming she had to do it for the “restoration of her own self-esteem.” A week later, a bloodied and beaten picture of her was leaked on TMZ with the appearance of an official investigation photo, probing a LAPD internal investigation . And when I didn’t think it could possibly get any worse, yesterday, the NY Daily News ran a story entitled “Chris Brown learns anger management; could Rihanna use it too?,” inferring that Brown’s violent attack might simply have been a reaction to Rihanna’s temper.
TGW: Battered Rihanna Photo: Hate Crime Evidence
Terrorism Misogyny Chris Brown Feminist Politics Gender News Violence Against Women Hate Crime
