Many Boston Kids Blame Rihanna for Chris Brown Beating Her? Seriously?
By Robert Schlesinger, Thomas Jefferson Street blog
Are they kidding?
The Boston Public Health Commission released a survey recently showing that nearly half of Boston youths say that the pop star Rihanna was responsible for the beating she received from boyfriend Chris Brown.
Seriously? What the hell is wrong with kids? Or at least Boston kids?
I've pretty assiduously avoided learning any of the details of the Rihanna-Brown dust-up because, well, I just don't care about lifestyles of the rich and apparently famous. But survey results like this send a chill down my spine.
Put aside the specific celebrities at hand and just contemplate that a boyfriend beat his girlfriend badly enough to send her to the hospital. Boston kids' reaction? 46 percent of the 200 Boston youths (ages 12 to 19) surveyed say getting beaten up was the girl's fault (51 percent blamed the boy, 52 percent laid blame with both). Unless the woman took a running start and charged headlong at his fist, it's hard to see what the 46 percent are talking about.
More? 44 percent said that fighting (as opposed to arguing) is a normal part of a relationship. Unless that 44 percent are in an intramural kick-boxing league, they need to reorient their views of what's normal.
My favorite? 52 percent believe that Chris Brown is getting a bum rap from the media. He tried to throw Rihanna out of a moving car, slammed her head against the car window, and then punched her in the face. I can see where that might be tough to spin.
My friend Lylah Alphonse has a good take on this:
Michael Phelps gets dropped by sponsors for toking up, but Chris Brown beats his girlfriend and is up for a couple of awards?
How did we go from telling our preschoolers "use your words" and "don't hit people" to this?
I can only hope that 200 is not a representative sampling of Boston kids, let alone youth nationwide.
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Reader Comments
Chris Brown beating Rihanna
This is what I am going to say it is not Chris Browns fault! Rihaana must have did something to him for him to beat her up.
ITS NOT OKAY TO BEAT SOMEONE
Chris Brown physically abused a woman he loved.That is NOT okay and we shouldnt be okay with it. For all of the young teens who r "in love" with Chris, how can u love someone who would do that. His actions show that he can't handle himself and everyone has control over their emotions and actions. He allowed himself to get provoked if Rihanna really did do that and couldnt control himself, it sounds like a spoiled little two year not getting his way. He will beat you again Rihanna if you get back with him and you deserve better. Everyone deserves someone eho will treat them with respect and will love you for you. Chris Brown deserves to go to prison...he's guilty...
Rihanna's mistake
Okay, this is what I truly don't understand! Rihanna gets beat up by boyfriend Chris Brown. Then, she runs and tells the media she doesn't want to continue an abusive relationship. Now she takes him back. Are you serious? What was going through her head when making a decision like that?
All I have to say is Rihanna made a mistake in taking Chris Brown back. That just proves she likes to get beat up, and now since her boyfriend is a little less famous, don't you think everybody will stop recognizing them?
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