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News Day Tuesday: Rihanna Speaks Out
Posted by Jen.
November 10, 2009
Categories:  Discussion
13
comments


Photo Credit: Amp Radio
Hey GBD, I stole News Day because I wanted to share Rihanna’s interview with Diane Sawyer for 20/20 with you.

Last February when Rihanna and Chris Brown were involved in an altercation that led to a picture of her battered face being seen around the world online, I was as shocked as I imagine you guys were.

There are all kinds of stories on domestic abuse, but to have it blow up in the news because of this young, successful couple was a real wake-up call. In our celebrity-saturated culture, somehow it hit home harder for some people that such a beautiful young star would have gone through this abuse than if it was a neighbor or a friend.

The aftermath played out exhaustively online; the paparazzi following their every move, fans jumping to defend one or the other, and all of the “are they back together or aren’t they” speculation. And then the assault went to court. In June, “under the plea deal, he [Brown] pleaded guilty to one count of assault with the intent of doing great bodily injury in connection with the argument inside a rented Lamborghini on a Hollywood street in February.” He has spoken out and apologized to her publicly, and in August he was sentenced to probation and community service. He must also attend domestic violence counseling and there is now a restraining order in place to keep him away from Rihanna.

This interview is the first time Rihanna has publicly spoken out about what happened that night. She talks about the escalation of their argument, the attack and all of the thoughts and emotions that followed it. She is candid and speaks openly about her confusion and going back to Chris out of love, and also how ultimately, she couldn’t bear to set the example to young girls that’s it’s okay to go back to a man who hurt you.
I think this interview is a must-see for women and men, as it gives an inside look at the psychology of abuse and the pain, confusion and mix of love and hate that all come as natural reactions to domestic assault.
Watch Part 1 of her interview, and from there or here, view Part 2 and Part 3, and tell us what you think.

If you or anyone you know is experiencing anything that looks like abuse, in the United States call the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline at 866-331-9474 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE. Love Is Respect.org is a great resource for finding out what qualifies as abusive and what you can do to help yourself or others. Do Something.org is another awesome site with a focus on teen dating violence.

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G

November 11, 2009

Gah, every bloody time they showed his picture, I wanted to find a car and run him down with it. :P Next, how the heck could his fans say she did something to deserve what he did?! And to that degree…O_o

*sigh* I hate that domestic abuse is still such a problem. The worst part is that it could be happening to someone one of us knows right now and we wouldn’t even know. Scary thought, scary thought.

*goes off to get car*


Marianne

November 11, 2009

I hate that the awesome wedding video on youtube has one of his songs. Makes me feel so bad for liking it. Stupid Chris Brown ruining everything. EVERYTHING. :(


Marianne

November 11, 2009

well dontcha know, always blame the victim! they do it on SVU all the time.


G

November 11, 2009

Oh, yeah. Because women just walk around with signs on asking for guys to do stuff like that. I know they say they can’t decipher our signals, but holy smokes! COULD YOU BE ANY MORE OFF?!


Marianne

November 11, 2009

It works as a rape defense, sadly, so they probably figure: why not?

We were totally asking for it.
Every.Single.Time.

Thing is, they probably do believe that. I honestly don`t get it.


G

November 11, 2009

I don’t get it either and it actually disgusts me. That’s right, something disgusts me…


Marilyne

November 11, 2009

First, I’m so glad you posted those videos, I wanted to watch the interview on tv but I missed it!:(

I hope it made us realise it can happen to anyone and that women are not looking for it or anything. I would not have known about her difficult childhood. Each time I hear a story like that, that reminds me how little we think we know about a person in general, about what that person has been through.

and I applaud Rihanna for speaking up about it and sending a message of awareness.:)


Binks

November 11, 2009

I saw this interview on Sunday night on utube.

I was very proud for Rihanna to talk the way she did, it has to be a an incredibly hard thing to do, so I give her props for it.

I think its easy for people to judge on domestic abuse, or rape, or other types of things, because a lot of us aren’t in the situation. It was very interesting and eye opening to actually hear from someone who has been through it and will openly talk about it. I think its a huge eye opener for most people to get a different perspective on things.

Diane Sawyer gets props too, for being able to ask the tough questions and getting the one-on-one with Rihanna.

The interview had me completely glued to the screen, and I got a lot out of it. I hope more people watch it and learn a new lesson.

Thanks for posting about it Jenny! :)


Jen.

November 11, 2009

I wanted to post this interview because I felt it was so raw, and I was glued to it too.
My Mom works with women who have experienced domestic violence, and I had a personal experience with it in a past relationship, and so I feel so fiercely passionate about spreading the message that it is NOT OKAY to disrespect another human being, and that we need to develop the belief that we deserve better. The National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence has a copy of the Power and Control Wheel, which explains all different aspects of domestic violence, including verbal, emotional, sexual and physical, and methods including intimidation, threats, isolation and coercion. Check it out here: http://www.ncdsv.org/images/PowerControlwheelNOSHADING.pdf

I think the hardest thing about being in a violent relationship is admitting it to yourself. To be able to say the words “I am being abused” is terrifying, but it’s the first step to freedom.
XO


ICT

November 13, 2009

I like the name of that website, “Love is Respect”, because I think too many people- male & female do not have good understanding of what love is.

Allison Mack had a blog question asking everyone what they that Love was. It was interesting to find that some related love to pure emotion. Love is so much more than that. Then again, others did have clear picture about it.

It would be cool to read what Teens think love is.


Rihanna Speaks Out « halloweencostumewinners

November 21, 2009

[...] Hey GBD, I stole News Day because I wanted to share Rihanna’s interview with Diane Sawyer for 20 /20 with you. Last February when Rihanna and Chris Brown were involved in an altercation that led to a picture of her battered face being …Continued [...]


Elodie

December 12, 2009

I just watched the video. It makes it feel more intense when we listen to her expressing her thoughts and hurts.
This shouldn’t happen to anyone.


Lin

February 10, 2010

i have to say that this woman has got a very strong head on her shoulders.
i loved it when she said, “Even if I did hit him first, that makes it ok for him to do this to me??”
i was dannnggg. girl knows what she’s talkin about.