I've been amazed by the reaction to Rihanna's plight -- especially by blacks stars who at first came out and denounced Chris Brown's behavior and later backtracked. Oprah makes a strong statement, and the entertainment media suggests she was too strident.
Ashanti-- who has been an advocate for victims of domestic violence in the past -- has said what so many others have also expressed in similar wishy-washy statements, "A lot of people are speculating. Only those two know exactly what happened. I think that we shouldn't judge. You know, it's obviously very unfortunate."
Hello! Did you see the photo?! Everyone knows exactly what happened. That oaf beat that poor young woman to a pulp and admitted to threatening her life. I don't care if it comes out that Brown himself was beaten every day of his life -- it doesn't mean that we can't judge this incident. Unfortunate? Try brutal, inexcusable and criminal.
Why is this happening? Do other celebrities fear impending litigation for defamation? Has their management told them that "judgmental" doesn't track well with the fans? Why are stars so afraid to call it like we've all seen and heard it?
And it has translated to some fans excusing the behavior and even suggesting that Rihanna is somehow partially responsible for being treated like a punching bag.
But at least one celebrity has been willing to step forward and really help young women see the dangers of abusive relationships and how to avoid or escape them.
Martina McBride has partnered with the National Domestic Violence Hotline on their website for teens at www.loveisrespect.org. Visiting the site, one can see the great care and the commitment to the cause to help young women stay away from abusive relationships.
Even before entering, once you have typed in the address, there is a warning that when you visit a site, it could be discovered later by someone else. They strongly advise that if you fear reprisal for doing so, there are phone numbers to call right away.
After entering the site, there are many ways that the organization tackles the issue. There are links to answer "Am I being abused?" or how to get help for yourself or a friend. A chat room with peer advocates is available 24 hours -- there is even a "Teen Dating Bill of Rights."
McBride's involvement is with their "My Time to Shine" program which encourages young women to make the most of their teen years and to seek out healthy relationships. While the soft-spoken McBride has tread lightly in her opinion of Brown -- she at least expressed that the man needs some help, and she would get her own daughter out of a situation like that.
For that simple statement, and her involvement with this organization, Martina McBride might hopefully undo some of the damage that the cowards in the music business have perpetrated. She isn't hemming and hawing and hoping for the best -- she's actually doing something about it.
I had to delete a comment that was an obvious ad -- they tried to sound like a legitimate response, but I wasn't fooled...
Posted by: Colette Moran | April 02, 2009 at 11:27 AM