by Heather “The Literary Heat” Covington
Editor of Disilgold SOUL Magazine
On June 22, 2009 Chris Brown,19 slowly entered a Los Angeles Courtroom with an entourage of security for a preliminary hearing to await the fate and outcome of an incident with singer Rihanna during a pre-Grammy Awards Show. The night of this violent incident which made headline news across the world, watchers of the Grammy’s were already alerted by hosts that both artists would not be attending the show.
Viral emails throughout the Internet indicated that the scene between Chris Brown and Rihanna lead to a violent exchange of punches, choking, kicking, threats and obscene behavior, and as based on Rihanna’s statement after the incident and disparaging pictures of the singer leaked onto the net by media resources such as TMZ. The photos showed the singer with a puffy and swollen face, dried blood of and around her lips and several darkened head contusions on her cheeks and forehead leading label mate artists like Jay Z and Kanye West to make public statements. The situation became ugly and messy as the lives of two of today’s top artists seem to crumble within days.
The photo of Rihanna’s ravaged face immediately created a circus of reaction by members of social media online and mixed with reflections both favorable toward Chris Brown as a younger artist who may have over reacted upon singer/ girlfriend Rihanna retrieving his text messages from his cell phone. The content may have contained evidence of sexual relations with other women spurring singer, Chris Brown to attack the artist. Speculation of a relationships with his manager were rumored although contested by both his management and close family members. As a result, Rihanna, may have thrown his keys outside of his vehicle. At some point her own head hit the dash board of Chris Brown’s vehicle due to a car accident.
Additionally, upon singer Chris Brown returning to his vehicle upon retrieving his keys, Rihanna made a statement to someone on her own phone to have the cops there when she arrived home. This triage of events then lead singer Chris Brown to violently choke the singer and shout threatening obscenities such as, “Now I am really going to kill you when we get home.”
Members unfavorable toward the artist and clearly against domestic violence under any circumstances believed the artist should be given time in prison at the full extent of the law. More photos leaked of him at events like the Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers game leading people to believe he was insensitive, immature, out of control and reliving his past as a victim and witness of abusive actions of his step father toward his mother. The signer vehemently told the world prior to the incident during an appearance on Tyra Banks Talk Show that he did not want to follow the same course.
Despite a squeaky clean image, and strong support from his mother, having been named Bill Board’s Artist of the Year 2008 and gaining a nomination for his hit with American Idol winner Jordin Sparks, the breakdown of his image and painting of a monster lead to certainty of a conviction when Oprah got on national air to host a show on domestic abuse along with daytime rival Tyra Banks who both unified in efforts to shun women out there who stay in violent relationships to get out.
Emphasis was placed throughout media on Oprah’s forewarning facial gestures alerting Rihanna to stay away from Chris Brown who lost several endorsement deals such as for Doublemint Gum. Rihanna was also, advised to stay clear of Chris Brown or she would lose her lucrative endorsements with companies like Covergirl. Rihanna would make her first public appearance at a red carpet event in a gothic black crop pant suit with puffy shoulder sleeves gaining interest back on her fashion savvy from media. However, the support would not last long online, for both artists have suffered a diminishing of fans for both of their actions which lead up to the incident and evoked mixed reactions as the possibility use of alcohol may have been a culprit.
Like a modern day Westside Story, the fate of both artists in the long run will be decided by the media as Chris Brown became ONE LUCKY MAN. Maybe it was his expensive gray suit that fancied the judge. His lawyers optioned for a plea deal where the artist without reluctance admitted he intended to harm Rihanna, thus igniting the judge to clap with enthusiasm and immediately sentence Chris Brown to 5 years of supervised probation and 6 months of community service in his hometown of Virginia.
Perhaps, he can keep a journal during his “180 Days of Redemption” and Community Service. Some are speculating that he’ll have to clean graffiti or enact in a young teen outreach program to teach youth the circumstances of abuse and violence. He has been ordered to stay at least 10 yards away from Rihanna at same attended industry events and over 50 yards away from her anywhere in the world.
Chris Brown will have to endure embarrassment as paparazzi takes photos of him while serving community service time. His probation alone will probably cover the full remainder life of his singing career. The question is can Chris Brown and Rihanna revive their careers after this incident? When Tina Turner braved the world during her own personal bought with abuse, Ike Turner sort of disappeared into oblivion. Chris Brown got on YOUTUBE to tell the world he is no monster.
I just wonder what would Rihanna would have said, and who agreed to cooperate at the full extent of the law with authorities if the case did go to trial. Perhaps, a multi-million dollar book deal awaits both artists who have learned and taught other young men and women about the repercussions of one evening out gone bad.
Just because one is talented, successful and wealthy does not mean they cannot become a victim of abuse and wind up dead. I don’t think Chris Brown is a monster or Rihanna is half a siren as folks paint the Barbadian singer who had every right to push buttons, but these actions could have fatally ended her life.
Rihanna did not get a chance to even make eye contact with Chris Brown at the event and I know it cuts like a knife, but it is best to move on. The way the human mind works when pushed to the limit varies from person to person That’s why there are jails and prisons for those who can’t control their actions. Chris Brown and Rihanna are too talented to stifle their careers with anymore rhetoric provoked by insensitive media.
Instead of Chris Brown releasing a song that will evoke a fatal blow to his career, he should choose retribution. A man who does not respect a woman will never be a success! any insensitive song followed by this incident will destroy this young man’s career forever. Only a fool in media would do any more harm to these beautiful artists. I wish them the best and hope they continue to perfect their craft. Don’t blow it and let media stir your emotions down the wrong path. “Follow your heart, forgive and LIVE!”
Chris Brown will receive his final sentence on August 5th.
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