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Grammy Embrace Of Chris Brown Draws Criticism

Chris Brown Grammys

First Posted: 02/13/2012 4:37 pm Updated: 02/14/2012 4:10 pm

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By JAKE COYLE, The Associated Press

NEW YORK -- The Grammy Awards' warm embrace of Chris Brown three years after his assault of Rihanna has drawn the ire of viewers who claim the controversial R&B star shouldn't have been rewarded with such attention.

Brown was front-and-center three times during Sunday's Grammys. He won best R&B album for "F.A.M.E.," he performed a single from his upcoming album, "Turn Up the Music," and he opened a dance tribute to "Soul Train" creator Don Cornelius.

The imagery of Brown's Grammy glory was striking because it was, literally, a return to the scene of the crime. On the eve of the 2009 Grammys, Brown beat his then-girlfriend Rihanna, for which he later pled guilty to a charge of assault and was sentenced to five years of probation and six months of community labor.

Since then, Brown has worked to repair his image, undergone domestic violence counseling and rediscovered popularity with his hit album "F.A.M.E. (Forgiving All My Enemies)." Last year, his restraining order was eased. The former order required Brown to stay 50 yards away from 23-year-old Rihanna, but the restriction was reduced to 10 yards if they were at a music industry event. Rihanna also performed Sunday but the two never shared the stage.

On Sunday evening, Twitter was abuzz with questions of Brown's significant role in the proceedings. Many critics argued against the Grammys' decision to celebrate Brown and endorse his comeback.

New Yorker music critic Sasha Frere-Jones called Brown's return "one of the Grammys' weirdest choices ever," and cited R&B singer Drake as the more deserving star in the genre to celebrate.

In an op-ed, Valerie Strauss for The Washington Post said that while people deserve second chances, "That doesn't mean they deserve a chance to strut around the Grammy stage a few years after being convicted of felony assault."

Jeffrey Goldberg for The Atlantic tweeted: "I don't look for the Grammys for moral clarity, but, really? Do the words `felony assault' mean anything at all?"

Grammy producer Ken Ehrlich defended the show's backing of Brown on "CBS This Morning" on Monday. He said that he was "kind of rooting" for Brown.

"I just believe people deserve a second chance," said Ehrlich. "The year he had this year, really brought him back into the public. He really deserved a second chance."

Certainly, there are many fans of Brown - "Team Breezy," as he calls them - and they, too, took to social media to defend Brown. But some of those tweets were also held up as examples of questionable taste.

The site Buzzfeed gathered 25 tweets from Brown fans with lines such as: "I don't know why Rihanna complained. Chris Brown could beat me anytime he wanted to."

The feminism blog Feministe cited such reaction as evidence that "we as a society have a lot more work to do" to educate on domestic violence.

Rita Smith, executive director of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, also questioned the message the Grammys were sending.

"If an awards show is going to highlight an artist, what an awesome message they could send if we got an update somehow about how that artist had changed in a positive way," said Smith. "Otherwise, the message becomes wait for a period of time and go on with business as usual."

Brown, who didn't attend last year's Grammys even though he was nominated for three awards, has sometimes portrayed himself as embattled. On Sunday, he tweeted, "Team breezy we have come (a long) way ... No matter what anyone says ... WE MADE IT!!"

In his acceptance speech and performances, he made no mention or gesture to his last, abbreviated trip to the Grammys. But he did tweet - and then delete - the message: "People who make mistakes and learn from them are ROLE MODELS too. I'm just happy to inspire growth and positivity."

Rihanna also performed Sunday, singing her hit "We Found Love" and transitioning into a duet of "Princess of China" with Coldplay's Chris Martin. Rihanna was nominated for four awards, including best album for her disc "Loud." She shared in the wins for best rap/sung collaboration and best rap song for Kanye West's "All of the Lights," with Kid Cudi and Fergie.

But many performers watching at home questioned Brown's involvement.

"Are Chris Brown's mom and dad CBS and Grammy Brown?" sarcastically wondered Eric Stonestreet of "Modern Family."

The singer Michelle Branch tweeted: "Trying not to go off on a rant but ... Chris Brown ... (bites tongue) have we forgiven him?"

"View" co-host Sherri Shepherd took a similar tact, writing, "Looks like all is forgiven (with) Chris Brown. That's all I'll say."

See photos of all the Grammy performances

Related on HuffPost:

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By JAKE COYLE, The Associated Press NEW YORK -- The Grammy Awards' warm embrace of Chris Brown three years after his assault of Rihanna has drawn the ire of viewers who claim the controversial R&B ...
By JAKE COYLE, The Associated Press NEW YORK -- The Grammy Awards' warm embrace of Chris Brown three years after his assault of Rihanna has drawn the ire of viewers who claim the controversial R&B ...
Read more from Huffington Post bloggers:
Nico Lang

Nico Lang: Look at Them Now: How the Grammys Failed on the Chris Brown Controversy

When the Grammys celebrate a space where women are not safe and then bring that space into our homes, we have a duty to do more than shut off our televisions.

Filed by Erin Clements  | 

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desireewhyte
32 Fans
01:36 PM on 02/22/2012
If Rhianna requested the restraining order to be dropped to level one a year ago, chances are they were starting to talk and/or see each other before that. So less than two years after being "savagely beaten" Rhianna was able to deal with him like it wasn't that big a deal to her. I'd guess that there was more to the story than any of us were ever aware of.
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defaultusername
0 Fans
01:46 PM on 02/17/2012
It might, maybe, sorta, kinda be one thing if he wasn't lowering the bar for musical talent close the level that Young Money did (well, Young Money lowered the bar for music in general worse than any artist ever could in the history of this planet existing). But he is and still is doing so, so ____ him.
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Thomas Capps
0 Fans
05:03 AM on 02/17/2012
People always attack individuals on top. You barely heard any of Michael Jackson's peers beat him down for years. And half the people commenting wouldn't even know who the hell he was if he hadn't been all over the news. Just because people are famous doesn't make them any less human but society acts like. Hell my neighbor use to beat on his wife and I don't see anyone blogging about the every day individuals.
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Va2Talk
1 Fans
11:50 PM on 02/16/2012
We DO NOT NEED 2 forgive Chris Brown we R NOT God! There is only one Judgment Day! The main ones who keeping this going include Lambert has skeleton in their closet as well. We are NOT perfect!

Chris Brown was young and he made a huge mistake and then again on the other hand we WAS NOT THERE and do NOT know what happen that night were we? BUT it do not matter what happen that night because it was 2+ years ago - let it go and move on! DO NOT throw stones into someone else glass house when your stuff is NOT straight.

Chris you have did a remarkable job by facing were you were wrong at and doing something about it that is more than most people would have done and they are much older than you. Keep your head up and do whatever you need to do. Do NOT let the negative get you down. People talk about Jesus Christ (or they use to it might be against the law now)! Be proud of yourself as for Virginia is proud of you too! Your people got your back! – OUTSTANDING JOB CHRIS BROWN!!!!!!! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORKS AND DO WHAT THE COURTS ASK YOU TO DO AND HOPEFULLY ONE DAY SOON DUMB A** PEOPLE WOULD LET THIS GO!!!!
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Vascopolis
46 Fans
05:12 PM on 02/15/2012
I don't know about other persons on THIS Forum, but I have NO IDEA... who this fellow is. Yes. It's true. I have NEVER heard of Chris Brown. Fact.
I HAVE heard that Iran is seconds away from a Nuke. I know Egypt is hanging on by it's fingernails and that Greece is on the verge of Civil War.
I know that Bank Interest and CDs are at 0% and my 90 year old Mother has depleted her life long savings accordingly and that she is about to lose her home because she can't afford her property taxes on $560. / per month Social Security.
But who cares about all that. The REAL problem is, I don't have a clue as to who "Chris Brown" is. I can see from ALL OF THIS 'to-do', if I don't find out who Chris Brown is, the world is in deep trouble.
And America can't figure out why they are broke. Wow.
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Cranston Lee
0 Fans
06:20 PM on 02/16/2012
Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule monitoring world events to comment on this trivial domestic violence issue. I guess we can all learn that, from your very presence here, it's possible to be aware of several things at once. Thank you!
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Chamorrita08
9 Fans
04:54 PM on 02/15/2012
CB had NO criminal record. Therefore did NOT warrant prison time. Folks need to understand what this young man did in his PERSONAL life is irrelevant when it comes to his JOB / PROFESSION. I'm 50+ years old and I KNOW for a fact young kids today do some very VERY stupid things, its part of being immature. Immature means they lack common sense when it comes to decision-making, good judgement AND consequences. Kids today THINK they KNOW everything when the truth be told they know NOTHING! Wisdom and maturity comes with time/age. What's MORE IMPORTANT is whether we LEARNED from our mistakes, DID we GROW from the experience?, DID the lesson add value and we minimize future risks?

Repeatedly crucifying Chris Brown is NOT going to CHANGE what he did to Rihana... and just because he "tweeted something silly" on Twitter does NOT mean he has NOT learned from his past mistakes. People continue to judge every little thing this young man does, for what? To crucify him even more? Others have made mistakes, R. Kelly, Ben Roethelisburger, etc. HAVE ALL made repeated mistakes and they are GROWN men!! Even MEN OF THE CHURCH have all made mistakes. We ALL have done some stupid things when we were 16, 17, 18, 19, etc. Does it make it right? NO, does it make it excusable? HELL NO, but that's the reality when you are YOUNG....that's the downside and the reality.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
ElTommo
50 Fans
 
05:42 PM on 02/16/2012
Except when you aren't a famous celebrity, domestic violence cases in California almost universally result in time behind bars.
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yolandatark
0 Fans
12:33 PM on 02/15/2012
Funny, I have read many comments. I am an older woman. I can tell there are a lot of young people making comments. Chris Brown was 19 years old. He was still a child. When I was 19 I made dumb mistakes that probably affected my entire life. Try never to judge a person because of what you think or what you heard. In the end and at the end of the day "what goes around comes back around" I promise you that. Chris Brown is receiving blessings right now. Maybe it is because he made his peace with God and Rihanna. And he received his award because he is extremely talented. Keep living and see the mistakes you'll make in your life. Jesus died for our sins and we all deserve forgiveness. Move on. Remember Vanessa Williams fall from grace? She has proven herself over and over again. She was 18 when she posed for the nude photos. It is dumb to punish her for it forever. Grow up!
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Lucille
326 Fans
07:36 PM on 02/14/2012
never liked Chris Brown because of his temper and I wasn't surprised when he blew up last year after Robin Robins questioned him, on Good Morning America, about Rhianna.

I wasn't comfortable seeing Chris up on stage either because I felt he deserved jail time instead of probation. After he beat Rhianna the little kid in him ran away leaving an injured Rhianna in the car for any pervert to attack her too as the car doors were open (Rhianna threw the keys out the car because Chris was both driving and punching her in the face).

I don't like him and the entire awards show stunk anyway. I hope the Grammys get new producers next year, some with integrity.

Let Chris pick up his award, but don’t feature him, giving him two televised performances. I can’t imagine what abused women who have been beaten, set on fire, stabbed with knives, shot, etc., were thinking watching this abuser on stage being feted?
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shag11
244 Fans
07:18 PM on 02/14/2012
I was driving a car full of women on that night and it just amazed me the "pass" they gave brown, with a few suggesting Rhianna must have done something that warranted him to beat her like that. Amazing. I was raised by women, and saw all angles, but, no one deserves to be beaten-up like that. Well, maybe Brown has an ol' school payback coming.
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autumn days
2 Fans
07:12 PM on 02/14/2012
Some of you people need to get a life and move the eff on. I'm sorry but if R. Kelly can go to the Grammy awards. Freaking R Kelly a known child molester. If Roman Polanski can get a standing ovation at the Academy Awards, if people can still rave about Woody Allen, and if Sean Penn can receive an Oscar with little fanfare then let Chris Brown get his damn award. My point being that there have been greater offenses commtted by celebrities yet for whatever reason people can not seem to let this go. It was terrible. No man should ever put his hands on a woman. I get it but at the same time, It's been 3 years we have not heard of another such instance of him beating up his girlfriend. If freaking Rihanna can let it go then so can the rest of us.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Comidoki
Scare a Republican, Register to Vote
411 Fans
08:50 AM on 02/15/2012
Can you please explain to me the logic in giving someone a pass based on other people not being sufficiently punished for a crime? So are you saying if someone brutally beat up your mother, we should give them a light slap on the wrist because R Kelly is a child molester and wasn't punished in your mind?

We all know there are flaws in the justice system, a major one being the rich and famous seem to get away with more than the average person.
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edwena1
26 Fans
01:17 PM on 02/15/2012
Autumn Days -- AMEN!!!!
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kwoodberryesq
187 Fans
 
07:00 PM on 02/14/2012
Well, music in the past few years has been hot garbage anyway, so who gives a flying leap! Only reason I even watched the Grammys was in hopes of a great tribute to Whitney. Needless to say that effort fell flat!
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rockyroad
484 Fans
06:25 PM on 02/14/2012
Must say, the comments have been stunning.

Best wishes to you all!

Be happy, be smart and keep yoursleves and your families safe!
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Martiniman
66 Fans
05:56 PM on 02/14/2012
Everybody is right that its time to move on - CB, please move the hell on outta here!
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Diasamax
78 Fans
05:53 PM on 02/14/2012
He has been punished enough. If Rihanna who received his abuse has moved on, everyone else needs to do the same. If she had a problem with him, she would not have been there or performed. Chris Brown followed the mandates of the court and people have to remember that he himself was a victim of domestic violence when he was growing up with his mother. He served his time and has to be allowed to prove that he has changed. People have to stop being hypocrites wanting people to become better and yet when they try, slam them for their efforts.
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Lucille
326 Fans
07:44 PM on 02/14/2012
Actually Chris served no time at all when he should have been sent to prison. Maybe if he had people wouldn't feel that he got away with it. Chris Brown destroyed his guest room on Good Morning America last year because a woman (Robin Robins (or whatever her name is)) dared to ask him about what he did to Rhianna. I hope he doesn't hurt anyone else, but that seems unlikely.
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Simba216
24 Fans
09:18 PM on 02/14/2012
Brown didn't have a criminal record. Everyday people with clean records do not get jail time either.
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edwena1
26 Fans
01:18 PM on 02/15/2012
Sent to prison , please get a life.
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knosiswar
Major General Smedley Butler - get to know him
172 Fans
05:44 PM on 02/14/2012
yep, time to move on. hopefully they BOTH learned their lessons.
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mustchange2012
45 Fans
06:22 PM on 02/14/2012
That is the thing, did he?
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Lucille
326 Fans
07:57 PM on 02/14/2012
And exactly what lesson should Rhianna have learned, how not to get beaten? How does one do that when the abuser doesn't have the words "I beat up women" on his forehead? Does Rhianna now know how not to get beaten up by her boyfriend in his fancy car? Do you have the syllabus? Will you post it on this blog?

God I wish Huffingtonpost’s moderators would allow me to tell you how I really feel about your (st$*&ed) comment.
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knosiswar
Major General Smedley Butler - get to know him
172 Fans
10:02 AM on 02/16/2012
hopefully she's learned that if you don't start something, there won't be nothing. I feel no remorse for her when she was the one who was intiating the violence. she should have a tattoo that if you talk to another girl I will try to wreck the car on the interstate while we're in it and then try to gouge your eyes out!
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