Rihanna Has Forgiven Chris Brown, Why Haven’t You?

**rasnegas** · February 15th, 2012, 07:32 AM

(An opinion piece by Deidre White after Chris Brown received heavy backlash following the Grammys)

Chris Brown seamlessly performed the techno-infused “Turn Up The Music” from his forthcoming album with electrifying energy and jarring moves and he led the Soul Train line with more of his artistic footwork as an ode to the late Don Cornelius. . Even if techno isn’t your thing—or Chris, watching him perform like none in his generation was titillating hinging on awe.

Chris, the 22-year-old who is making moves that most post-adolescents will only read about made a triumphant return to the 54th Grammy Awards after a three-year aperture following the highly publicized assault on then-girlfriend pop-star Rihanna.

Well…his return was mostly triumphant— during the show. Afterwards, hell broke loose.

Shortly after the award show, many took to Twitter, which is now proxy for “hidden in plain sight” interviews, to hurl insults and discontent for Brown’s comeback to the Grammy stage and for doing so more than once.

“Are Chris Brown’s mom and dad CBS and Grammy Brown?” Eric Stonestreet of Modern Family asked.

“Chris brown…people don’t forget! #chrisbrownbeatswomen” Jack Osbourne tweeted. “If Chris Brown had worn a wife beater, the irony would eclipse the whole show #chrisbrownbeatswomen.”

“Why wasn’t Chris Brown fired from ‘music’ (public dancing) when he beat up that girl?…Dear ‘thugs’ and ‘gangstas’ of the hip-hop industry, how is it that none of you ‘handled’ Chris Brown? #thuglife #prisonrules #getsome,”Ethan Suplee tweeted.

We, the public, knew Chris would break his absentee Grammy streak this year; there had been talk in January and a recent confirmation, yet no one protested. But for some reason, the performer actually performing rubbed folks the wrong way and simply put—pissed them off.

While assault is not to be taken lightly or championed or commended, why can’t Chris Brown, who has gone (and is going) through the proper societal channels in place to pay for his felony, be forgiven publicly? So he is to take brutal tongue lashings and Twitter floggings until people, who presumably weren’t aware of him to begin with.

Would it matter if he was—say an actor? Obviously, yes.
Does Charlie Sheen ring a bell? The actor who was once raking in $2 million for “Two And A Half Men” per episode. Since Brown’s charges are religiously brought to the forefront, let’s take a look at not one, but some of the assault charges from the once highest paid television actor.

(While I despise bringing up what a person’s past holds, my doing so is for calculated measures as to how the ongoing vilifying of Chris Brown is incomprehensibly unfair.)

According to USA TODAY: in 1996 Sheen is taken into custody and charged in the assault of former girlfriend Brittany Ashland. A year later, he pleads no contest to the charges and receives a suspended sentence and two years of probation from a California judge; In 2006 Sheen and second wife Denise Richards announce they are divorcing. During a bitter custody dispute later that year, she claims that he had physically and verbally abused and threatened to kill her. As a result, she receives a restraining order against him; In 2009, Sheen is arrested Dec. 25 in Aspen, Colo., and booked on suspicion of second-degree assault, menacing and criminal mischief in a domestic-violence dispute with his wife, Brooke Mueller; In 2010, Sheen pleads guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge in the domestic-assault case stemming from the Christmas incident and is ordered to spend 30 days in rehab as part of a plea deal at a court hearing in Aspen, Colo. In exchange, two other charges are dropped. The judge also sentences the actor to three months’ probation and orders him to complete 36 hours of domestic violence counseling.

Yet, I can’t recall the backlash akin to Brown to fire Sheen or a call for an end to his career or a call for his replacement on the production. As a matter of fact, his antics had to become scathing against the show’s producer before any changes were made to the line-up. Did Eric Stonestreet or Jack Osbourne unleash repugnant tweets about his well-documented assaults against women?

Or what about Miranda Lambert? Did she call Charlie out in an irresponsible, equally loathsome tweet in the name of fairness?

“And Chris Brown twice? I don’t get it. He beat on a girl…Not cool that we act like that didn’t happen. He needs to listen to Gunpowder and lead and be put back in his place. Not at the Grammys.” (“Gunpowder and Lead” is Lambert’s song about a woman preparing to kill her husband when he gets out of jail.)

Did she just patronize violence while speaking out against violence? Weird. And “put back in his place”? I won’t touch that.

Chris has talked about his past demons of seeing his mother abused at the hands of his stepfather and how the ramifications of living such abuse have harmed him. Should he get ongoing help to help relinquish the pain and anger from his childhood? In my opinion, yes. Should he be banned from performing—no.

Some of the remarks heaved against Chris’s performance at the Grammys three years past his assault charges seem to be misplaced anger coming from a personal angle more so than the two, Chris and Rihanna, involved. Seemingly, Chris shouldn’t be alone in dealing with past pains.

I do think the release and accessibility of Rihanna’s battered and blue face images make the public less likely to forget…and forgive. Seeing Rihanna’s bruises at the click of a few Google searches can elicit anger about the male-to-female attack. That I get. While I’m not asking the public to let such horror fade, I am asking to allow this young man, who obviously, needs some healing, time to do just that. If you wish to not see Chris perform, it’s okay to not actually watch his performances.

While I’m sure Rihanna appreciates the support from the Twitter world, I wonder if Eric Stonestreet is involved in any local organizations for abused women. Rihanna told Esquire Magazine last year, “Obviously, I had some resentment toward him for a while, for obvious reasons. But I’ve put that behind me. It was taking up too much of my time. It was too much anger.”
I think it’s wrong and unfair to not allow Chris a chance to move on. Rihanna has forgiven him, why can’t you?

Rihanna Has Forgiven Chris Brown, Why Haven

**rasnegas** · February 15th, 2012, 07:33 AM

My spacing looks waaaay off....sorry...I think I know why. Next time it will be correct.

**WhateverLolaWants** · February 15th, 2012, 07:40 AM

I am not a fan of Chris Brown, but I was thinking about this the other day while listening to Pink's Please Don't Leave Me when she sings the line, "You're my perfect little punching bag."

There is more than on double standard going on here.

*DIVA! · February 15th, 2012, 07:58 AM

Where were they when Tommy Lee beat Pamela Anderson?? I am not a fan, but come on!!

**stef** · February 15th, 2012, 08:09 AM

my problem with him is that he's not the poor boy this article tries to make him out to be.

While I’m not asking the public to let such horror fade, I am asking to allow this young man, who obviously, needs some healing, time to do just that. If you wish to not see Chris perform, it’s okay to not actually watch his performances.

he's a douche who has proven over and over again that he hasn't changed his bahavior (remember the broken hotel window in NY, where he walked around aggressively without his shirt on?). or his immature twitter rants. he's not someone who's seriously trying to change their ways and needs some "healing time".

**witchcurlgirl** · February 15th, 2012, 08:16 AM

I think it’s wrong and unfair to not allow Chris a chance to move on. Rihanna has forgiven him, why can’t you?

What Rhianna does is her own business. I never forgive or forget when men beat their partners. It's just a little quirk of mine.

**Novice** · February 15th, 2012, 08:20 AM

If Chris Brown was repentant, or even not so much of an arsehole, he might be able to get over it. However, he's not, and therefore why should anyone else forgive him when he continues to behave like he did nothing wrong.

Oh & all that BS about him not actually posting to his own twitter page? Just that.

ChrisBrown'sTwitterAccount'sAngryTweetsToCritics,'HateAllUWantBecuzIGotAGrammyNow!'

1 11

Posted on Feb 14, 2012 @ 07:30PM print it send it

Twitter/Splash News

By Debbie Emery - Radar Reporter
Chris Brown is known for his violent temper, but on Tuesday, according to his Twitter account, his anger was aimed at his followers on the social [COLOR=blue !important][COLOR=blue !important]networking [COLOR=blue !important]site[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR], rather than his ex-girlfriend.
The R&B [COLOR=blue !important][COLOR=blue !important]singer's[/COLOR][/COLOR] official Twitter feed lashed out at critics who had slammed the Grammys for honoring him during Sunday's awards show, and had bitter words for those bashing him.
PHOTOS: The 10 Sexiest & Most Scandalous Style Moments At The 2012 Grammy Awards
"HATE ALL U WANT BECUZ I GOT A GRAMMY Now! That's the ultimate F**K OFF!" The tweets from Brown's account said at the height of the rampage.
Earlier in the rant came: "Strange how we pick and choose who to hate! Let me ask u this. Our society is full of [COLOR=blue !important][COLOR=blue !important]rappers[/COLOR][/COLOR] (which I listen to) who have sold drugs (poisoning).
PHOTOS: The Best, Worst & Wackiest Fashions At The 2012 Grammy Awards
"But yet we glorify them and imitate everything they do. Then right before the worlds eyes a man shows how he can make a Big mistake and learn from it, but still has to deal with day to day hatred! You guys love to hate!!! But guess what???"
The tweets from Brown's account were responding to a number of prior tweets from celebrities who didn't believe he deserved to not only win a Grammy for F.A.M.E., but also to perform twice during the show.
PHOTOS: Grammy Awards’ Top Hairstyles
It was only three years ago that Brown was arrested and charged with felony battery on Rihanna, the night before the 2009 Grammy Awards, and while the Umbrella singer didn't object to him being there this year, many others did.
Country singer Miranda Lambert tweeted: " I don't get it. He beat on a girl...," adding, “Not cool that we act like that didn't happen."
PHOTOS: Stars Arrive At The 2012 Grammy Awards
While Michelle Branch wrote: “Trying not to go off on a rant but...Chris Brown...*bites tongue* have we forgiven him?”
The Twitter comeback, which has since been removed from Brown's page, concluded with this promise.
PHOTOS: The Best, Worst & Wackiest Fashions Of The Grammy Awards Over The Years
"Guess its time to release the video SOON!!!! Lol
"IM BACK SO WATCH MY BaCK as I walk away from all this negativity #teambreezygrammy."
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Despite the messages being on his personal page, an insider exclusively told RadarOnline.com that Brown didn't write the profanities himself.
"Brown didn't Tweet that, someone does his postings to Twitter and when he saw that he ordered it taken down immediately," the source told RadarOnline.com.
Chris Brown's Twitter Account's Angry Tweets To Critics, 'Hate All U Want Becuz I Got A Grammy Now!' | Radar Online

**gas_chick** · February 15th, 2012, 08:22 AM

Originally Posted by *DIVA!

Where were they when Tommy Lee beat Pamela Anderson?? I am not a fan, but come on!!

Tommy Lee went to jail for what he did what did Chris Brown get? Anger management classes?

I don't have to forgive shit but again I don't really give a fuck about Rhi Rhi or Chris Brown.

**Valley Doll** · February 15th, 2012, 08:35 AM

I have no problem with anyone forgiving Chris. There's nothing for me to forgive, as I'm not the one he beat.

However, I need to see more self-awareness on his part. That he gets what he did was wrong and he needs to find ways to resolve his anger and whatever childhood issues he may have.

He came from an abusive home with his mother's bad boyfriends, so I try not to completely throw shade on the guy. But he has to accept his drama and try to get better. Until then, people will always point a judging finger toward him.

The article does make one strong point. Charlie Sheen gets chance after chance and he's a known abuser. He SHOT Kelly Preston, for crying out loud. If any of these celebs are going to trash Chris, they need to be consistent. Trash all of them who abuse and neglect.

**bubblegumblades** · February 15th, 2012, 09:10 AM

Originally Posted by Valley Doll

I have no problem with anyone forgiving Chris. There's nothing for me to forgive, as I'm not the one he beat.

However, I need to see more self-awareness on his part. That he gets what he did was wrong and he needs to find ways to resolve his anger and whatever childhood issues he may have.

He came from an abusive home with his mother's bad boyfriends, so I try not to completely throw shade on the guy. But he has to accept his drama and try to get better. Until then, people will always point a judging finger toward him.

The article does make one strong point. Charlie Sheen gets chance after chance and he's a known abuser. He SHOT Kelly Preston, for crying out loud. If any of these celebs are going to trash Chris, they need to be consistent. Trash all of them who abuse and neglect.

This is exactly it...he doesn't appear to get what he did was wrong. His apologies seemed insincere, and the fact he got so pissy and victimised when they weren't instantly accepted says a lot to me. If he'd understood the magnitutde of what he'd done I think he would have realised shit like that takes time, and he needs to do more to show he actually realises he has a problem and is trying to solve it.

**Seth82** · February 15th, 2012, 09:13 AM

sounds like Miranda Lambert was quoted as saying "it was not cool" that Chris Brown was at the Grammys

**BBDSP** · February 15th, 2012, 09:15 AM

It's not a matter of forgiveness. He showed who he is, and I don't like what I see. Same with all the other beaters out there.

That's my prerogative. If someone has an anger problem and/or comes from a background of domestic violence, they need to do the hard work to overcome it, not whine about it.

**Valley Doll** · February 15th, 2012, 09:21 AM

Originally Posted by Seth82

sounds like Miranda Lambert was quoted as saying "it was not cool" that Chris Brown was at the Grammys

I wonder if she would say the same thing about Glen Campbell. Has he ever apologized to Tanya Tucker? Again, I need to see consistency.

**McJag** · February 15th, 2012, 09:29 AM

Originally Posted by Valley Doll

I wonder if she would say the same thing about Glen Campbell. Has he ever apologized to Tanya Tucker? Again, I need to see consistency.

That was so long ago I doubt Miranda Lambert ever knew that, nor would over half of the audience.
Chris Brown is fresh on everyone's mind.

**Jadestone** · February 15th, 2012, 09:37 AM

Twitter didn't exist back when Kelly Preston got shot. Things might have gone down a bit differently if it had.

I'm a bit tired of articles that are all about, "Why is Y getting a free pass but X isn't?" Just because Y (insert any celeb here) did something and "got away with it" doesn't mean X should. Especially if X is an unrepentant prick who clearly hasn't learned a fucking thing like Chris Brown.

And fuck Charlie Sheen! I don't have the eloquence of January in my hatred towards him, but at least Charlie is sometimes funny, even though he clearly has domestic abuse issues and he's the lowest of scumbags. I could never stand him, anyway, but if everyone had to go on about what an ass all other celeb domestic abusers are when they're talking about a newer incident, no one would ever get anything done. Just because people don't go on and on about shit doesn't mean the person they're not going on about isn't just as hated as the person they are going on about. (That probably made no sense.)