Youth React to Alleged Rihanna Assault

Originally published on Youthradio.org, the premier source for youth generated news throughout the globe.

There's a storm of gossip about R&B singer Chris Brown's alleged assault on his Grammy Award winning girlfriend Rihanna. Fans are speculating about whether he did it, and if so, why he did it -- and who's to blame.

Even before all the facts are in, young people are taking sides, on MySpace, on blogs, and in lively face-to-face interactions like this one produced by Youth Radio.

Many of the singers' fans are teenagers, and that's raising discussion about whether they are role models, and what young people are taking away from the story. The alleged abuse occurred on the final day of National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Week. One in three teens report experiencing abuse in their romantic relationships, and 1 in 5 teens report physical or sexual abuse by a boyfriend or girlfriend.

Voices include: Ahmina James, Joshlyn Patrick, Logan Barnes, Rynesha Snowden, and Brandon McFarland.

Youth Radio/Youth Media International (YMI) is a youth-driven converged media production company that delivers the best youth news, culture and undiscovered talent to a cross section of audiences. To read more youth news from around the globe and explore high quality audio and video features, visit Youthradio.org

Comments

[ReesieKitty]

04:26 PM on 02/24/2009

It is scary. All these kids think that because Brown is famous and popular, somehow it was Rihanna's fault that he beat the snot out of her. And sadly, she will most likely drop charges and let him get away with it, under pressure from her record company and her supposed community of other artists. I don't particular­ly care if Brown came from a bad homelife or if Rihanna was mean to him or whatever. Just NOTHING makes hitting your girlfriend or anyone else acceptable­. It's so tragic that these kids just don't get that at all.

[jemiltd]

12:18 AM on 02/15/2009

I see that all of the judgmental­ists are still out there. Without any facts. Some speaking from their own pain, some just talking. Before we throw this kid under a prison, we need to know the facts. While there is absolutely no excuse for physical abuse, we don't really know if they were abusing each other or not. Yes, even pretty women can be abusive. Men don't usually like to tell that truth. But I know of several, one of whom I interviewe­d for days (4 of 5 of his wives were abusers. Key here was that his mother beat his father regularly, in front of her children. Yet he called the beatings "tussles") No one knows the truth yet, including the media.
As to the actual extent of injuries, her own father, speaking to OK magazine claims she is just fine and one resource says she was seen with Chris, checking out of the hotel on the Sunday following his arrest.. Again wait for the facts, but use this as a learning opportunit­y for your children; a split second decision can devastate your life for a very long time if not forever. As all the folks in prison who decided to use fists, guns, knives, drugs in that defining moment.

[BARRISTER]

03:41 AM on 02/14/2009

"who is to blame" YOU, the American Public for making these very ordinary people 'Celebriti­es". That is "who is to blame".

Having said that, the very question is a condemnati­on of the Society that gives value and importance to violence and uncivilize­d behaviour. Rap "Moguls" abound. That they then display their neandertha­l behaviour in a public way should not suprise anyone.

How is that old saying again? "You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear"?

Res Ipsa Loquitor !

[kissmygrits]

02:15 PM on 02/13/2009

If he did it, "who's to blame." Wow. Just wow. There are no words. Maybe she deserved it? Wanted it? We have so, so far to go in this country until women are equal human beings.

[RobinSeattle]

10:09 AM on 02/13/2009

Here is what gets me about this whole Rihanna-Ch­ris Brown thing:

In 2006, Phillies pitcher Brett Myers punches his wife out on a public street in front of shocked bystanders and baseball writers yawn and the ballclub and MLB treat it like it never happened.

However, Brown assaults Rihanna and the media is on this like ants on a picnic. What is up with that media? Domestic violence okay if an athlete does it but not a musician?

[Dorraj]

01:23 PM on 02/12/2009

they are not attacking her cause she is a female they are attacking her cause they have heard for a while that she would smack chris brown around and belittle him in public. Also I think other females know females can be drama queens and provoke violence. That doesnt mean in any way should you EVER hit a women especially not like that, but lets make sure we know this was a one sided attack before we go off the deep end.

[maribelle1963]

08:50 PM on 02/12/2009

What does "go off the deep end" mean in this context? This thread is about kids reacting to the news/

She was bloody, bruised and BITTEN, screaming so loud that passersby called 911. That is NEVER okay. NEVER.

[notconfindtweenhatnboots]

03:22 AM on 02/13/2009

According to Entertainm­ent Tonight, Police have said they are likely going to file Attempted MU. R D. ER charges...­. due to the extent of the injuries..­...

She is lucky to be alive....

[qb2333]

01:10 PM on 02/12/2009

"Fans are speculatin­g about whether he did it, and if so, why he did it -- and who's to blame."
Maybe you should change this introducto­ry statement. Unless it was self defense, there's no question as to who's to blame. Are you kidding?

[maribelle1963]

08:50 PM on 02/12/2009

Good catch, qb2333.

[kissmygrits]

02:16 PM on 02/13/2009

Thank you.

[VicksieDo]

11:53 AM on 02/12/2009

The amount of negative comments toward Rihanna on her MySpace amazes and disgusts me. Is the culture to defend the abuser? ICK.

[kissmygrits]

02:17 PM on 02/13/2009

In a word, YES.

[elsie900]

11:50 AM on 02/12/2009

The fact that a young GIRL is attacking Rihanna in this way is the most horrifying thing.