Is anyone else sick of this Rihanna story?

[bjbowers]

well that's not how it came off to me.

http://www.tmz.com/2009/03/01/chris-brown-strikes-the-pose/

 

[Worknprogress]

What possessed her to take him back is beyond any of us that hasn't had to go through abuse. I won't judge her because I haven't walked in her shoes.

 

[kathryn]

well that's not how it came off to me.

http://www.tmz.com/2009/03/01/chris-brown-strikes-the-pose/

Looks like a variation on an "F..... you" gesture to me.

 

[SirenSongWoman]

With regard to the Chris / Rhianna story, those of us who have worked in the field of domestic violence intervention (which I did for almost eight years) see it as a fairly textbook example of a domestic violence episode: assault, report and medical intervention, review of case by prosecutors and possible charges, and later reconciliation between the abuser and the victim. And dropping restraining orders filed by the victim. And asking prosecutors or the court to drop a no contact order issued from a pending criminal case. This is far more common than a victim separating from her abuser and staying separated, especially victims in Rhianna's age group.

I think this is an important story to keep playing for awhile, because it at least sparks dialogs within families and within social groups as well as in the media at large. I did find it gratifying that (I think) MSNBC posted an online story stating, importantly, that strangulation ("choking") within the context of a domestic-violence event is a very good indicator of future homicidal violence. Strangulation has come under increasing scrutiny in the field of domestic violence intervention, and many states have now made it a felony to strangle an intimate partner regardless of the level of injury sustained.

Regarding "helping" intimate-partner beaters clean up their act . . . meh. The domestic abuser is of a very distinct personality type, and that personality type feels he is doing nothing wrong. Very gifted at presenting a meek, calm face to the world (as well as to the victim in the early stages of the relationship), the mask can come off in a second when the abuser is in the mood to control by whatever means necessary and whatever the abuser is in the mood for. And I have yet to see a successful treatment program for that.

A-Jock

Since his court appearance, Brown has been seen playing basketball with his buddies and jet-skiing. He doesn't have a care in the world. Smug little sociopath.

 

[SirenSongWoman]

It also could be a european gesture, equivalent of the finger (the French do the 'bras d'honneur'---hit your bicep with one hand while sending the forarm of the hit arm up in a 'fists up' gesture---certainly easier to show than to describe!)

In Italy that's "Up yours!" Or it was in "Cinema Paradiso."

 

[ladysaraii]

Since his court appearance, Brown has been seen playing basketball with his buddies and jet-skiing. He doesn't have a care in the world. Smug little sociopath.

But, and I ask this seriously, what is he supposed to do? I think that no matter waht he did, people would criticize. If he sat in his house, people would say he was putting on a front. And we really dont know what he does with his time, we just see the photos they show us.

Not making excuses, just thinking.