Chris Brown & Rihanna

I don't follow most of this pop culture bullshit intentionally. I really don't care that much, but I haven't been able to avoid the coverage of the alleged incident involving Chris Brown and (maybe?) Rihanna.

Here's the problem I have with it: everyone has leapt to the conclusion that he is indeed guilty of the assault and many people keep proclaiming "you don't hit women". I'm still old-fashioned enough to believe in the whole "innocent until proven guilty" thing. Crazy, I know! Trust me. I do not like the way many will come to the defense of certain entertainers. I am speaking here specifically of members of the Black community who will try to paint individuals like Mike Tyson, Kobe Bryant, R. Kelly, O.J. Simpson, and even Michael Jackson as victims who are being persecuted by the man because they are Black men. That is some ripe BULL SHIT! Even worse is that these people will often come to defense of these individuals at the expense of women and children. To read some of the things people said about the girl in the "R. Kelly" tape was sickening and sad. The fact that people actively sought to reveal the identity of an alleged rape victim in the Bryant case was appalling. I don't even need to tell people what was done to Nicole Simpson Brown. While only one of the five individuals I just named were actually found guilty of the crimes they were accused of, the leap to their defense by many in the public was barely based on any real facts about the cases.

That said, the Chris Brown situation is sort of the opposite, at least from the sites I've read. Granted, one of those sites is Jezebel which is chick-friendly to say the least. The commentors however are practically calling for his head. They demand this be the end of his career and contrast this with the Michael Phelps case. I will not pretend that am okay with domestic violence. My mother went through that shit. I do not, however, by into the "man can't hit woman" thing. While most men are generally physically larger and stronger than most women, that is not always the case. While one would generally lock down on a large man who hits a smaller guy, would one feel that way if the smaller guy picked the fight, if he threw the first punch? Why should there be an exception for women? This "women are delicate creatures who can't be harmed" business serves to further double standards that are in place in other areas of our lives.

But my real beef with all this is the assumption of guilt. We have become a hysterical, Nancy Grace society where the minute a newsperson says someone has done something, then it is deemed true. Individuals are tried and convicted in the public eye based on such flimsy evidence as, "he hired xyz attorney" or "he won't leave his hotel room". I missed the part where hiring a lawyer when you are arrested and charged with a crime was a bad thing. I missed how being hounded by reporters asking you if you beat your girlfriend makes you want to go for a stroll in the park.

I have to get back to work, so this incoherent little rant must stop here. The gist of it is that I really hate people rushing to judgment about things they don't have all the facts on. Oh, but one more thing, the other piece is people acting like Rihanna now HAS to become this spokesperson against domestic violence and that by not doing so, she is furthering the victim-shaming that is implied by not discussing it. Oh, my god because why on earth would she possibly NOT want to talk about something so very personal? Ugh! The things people think celebrities owe them are beyond ridiculous. If she chooses to speak on it (assuming this is all true, that is) bully for her. However, if it is easier for her to deal with this privately then more power to her.

I'm gonna take some deep breaths, calm down, and get back to work.