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What does the Chris Brown/Rihanna incident say about the state of relationships in the African American community? What does it say about the perception of black males in the media? When it comes to the Chris Brown case, there are some important questions that the black community needs to answer, as well as some areas in which we must hold ourselves accountable.
Here are some issues we address in the latest Sharpton/Watkins conversation below:
1) Does the quick forgiveness of Chris Brown tell us that we don't value the lives of black women?
2) If Rihanna is really interested in dating Chris again, does this send the wrong message to domestic violence victims? At what point should the state intervene?
3) What if the woman also hits the man? Does that change the rule stating that a man should never hit a woman? How many men are unfairly incarcerated for domestic violence each year?
4) If women are willing to look past Chris Brown's behavior and still buy his records, does that justify the consistent disrespect of black women by recording artists such as Lil Wayne and others? What would an artist have to do or say to get women to stop supporting him, or is nothing off limits?
5) What is the role of African American men when it comes to holding male artists accountable in their treatment of African American women?
These questions and more are answered during the conversation below. Enjoy!
Dr. Boyce Watkins is a professor at Syracuse University and author of "What if George Bush were a Black Man?" To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here.
Comments: (13)
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By: Carolyn on 9/19/2009 10:53PM
We really don't know what really happen, but everyone makes mistakes and hopefully we learn from them.God forgives but it seems as if the media refuse to forgive Chris Brown. If she hit him first (reports state in the past she slapped him before and he pushed her)a natural reflex is to hit the person back.I don't think its okay for a guy to hit a girl but it's not okay for a girl to hit a guy either and think he is not gonna hit you back.In relationships you have to respect each other. When Chris makes a new cd I will be buying it I think he is an exceptional singer and dancer very gifted blessed by God with talent.
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By: MYSTICAL on 9/21/2009 2:33PM
CHRIS BROWN AND ALL BLACK ARTISTS/ENTERTAINERS/ATHELETES WHO REAP THE BENEFIT OF CROSS OVER APPEAL...SHOULD KNOW THAT THEY HAVE TO BE DOUBLY CAREFUL. MANY ARE JUST NOT MATURE OR SKILLED ENOUGH TO AVOID THE PITFALLS THAT WILL RUIN THEIR CAREER AND REPUTATION..WHY ARE WE WASTING TIME AND SYMPATHY ON CHRIS..? WHILE I AGREE THAT ITS A SHAME AND DOUBLY SO SINCE RHIANNA WANTS FOLKS TO LEAVE THEM ALONE...HE WAS WELL PAID AND ENJOYING THE LIMELIGHT...NOW ITS THE OTHER EDGE OF THE SWORD. WE HAVE LESS INFLUENTIAL AND MORE DESPERATE FOLKS THAT DESERVE OUR SYMPATHY. ESPECIALLY IF ITS STILL BEING DEBATED.
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By: Lmary on 3/21/2010 6:01PM
Give me a damn break!! 'Disrespect' black women my A##!! If black women want the so-called disrespect to stop then STOP perpetuating those very same things yourselves!! Like the nasty skanks on 'Flavor of Love' and 'I love New York' and criticizing someone BESIDES rappers. Please black women don't say SQUAT about how Hollyweird treats us or black males in the MEDIA or stand-up comedians like Chris Rock. Who is the EPTIOME of a misogynist but NO let's blame it all on rappers because we are too damn LAZY to find complex solutions to complex problems and look for an easy scapegoat. As for Chris and Rhianna why should Chris be ANY more vilified than WHITE MALE celebrities who are also just as guilty of spousal abuse. Like thug Charlie Sheen who has a HISTORY of violence when it comes to women or Oscar nominee and total sleazebag Mickey Rourke or buffoon Ozzy. They are ALL guilty of DV but the ONLY time a face is put on domestic violence is when it's a black male not THAT'S hypocrisy!!
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