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To music media of all forms,
Okay, we get it. You’ve had your fun. You have readers to poach and gawkers to feed. We understood. Now stop it.
A few days ago, many of us who believe that physical abuse isn’t okay were horrified to see Chris Brown take the stage at the Grammys. What’s more, we were aghast when we read the statement about why. It seems that the award show is “over it” and willing to invite him back. No, not the beating, they’re over being stood up.
But while there are a lot of things wrong with the selection of Brown as a performer this year, griping about something which has already passed isn’t going to do anything except establish moral outrage. As he continues to disregard the impact of his fists, tweeting our disapproval isn’t going to fix the solution because for every hater, there is someone willing to disregard what he did, relegating it to the realm of his “bad boy image.” This is evident with the amount of people who tweeted that they’d let Brown beat them. As long as the media continues to support such artists, they will be using their influence to cause great ethical damage.
What we need to do is ensure that the industry stops supporting people who are willing to disregard human decency, and who avoid the ramifications of their crimes through their fame. This is why I make this principle request, and I hope people will support me by passing it on.
I ask that all music media – online, print and TV – boycott any release or performance by Chris Brown. Do not acknowledge its occurrence, nor review its contents. Do not support the creation of a role model unless he is willing to accept the consequences of his influence. For shows where Chris Brown features, focus on another performer. When Chris Brown tweets, ignore him. Unfollow him on Twitter if you can’t control yourselves. There are only two reasons that the media community reports on Chris Brown: talent and controversy. I feel that the first is something which only deserves acknowledgement when an individual is willing to bear the social responsibility which that acknowledgement creates. The latter is something which deflates the morals of journalism and does nothing but stimulate damaging attitudes towards women and domestic abuse.
Chris Brown has lost our respect by showing himself as an abuser. He does not deserve the chance to regain his success until he has taken the appropriate measures to address the things which he has done. If you agree with what’s being said here, please share this link on Facebook and Twitter. Tag every media outlet you can think of. Tell your friends that for as long as Chris Brown stands behind his decision to abuse a woman, throws tantrums at those who ask about it, and gloats about his success despite his predispositions, that he does not deserve to be heralded as a key player in an industry which has the potential to influence young men and women.
For those who have forgotten, or choose to forget, here is an abridged version of the police report. If you have seen this and don’t want to relive it, or you are a victim of domestic abuse and think that this might upset you, skip to after the italics.
“Brown reached over Robyn F. with his right hand, opened the car door and attempted to force her out. When he could not force her to exit, he took his right hand and shoved her head against he passenger window of the vehicle, causing an approximate one-inch raised circular contusion. Robyn F. turned to face Brown and he punched her in the left eye with his right hand. He then drove away in the vehicle and continued to punch her in the face with his right hand while steering the vehicle with his left hand. The assault caused Robyn F.’s mouth to fill with blood and blood to splatter all over her clothing and the interior of the vehicle.
Brown looked at Robyn F. and stated, ‘I’m going to beat the sh– out of you when we get home! You wait and see!’ ” The detective said “Robyn F.” then used her cell phone to call her personal assistant Jennifer Rosales, who did not answer. “Robyn F. pretended to talk to her and stated, ‘I’m on my way home. Make sure the police are there when I get there.’ After Robyn F. faked the call, Brown looked at her and stated, ‘You just did the stupidest thing ever! Now I’m really going to kill you!’
Brown continued to punch Robyn F. on her left arm and hand, causing her to suffer a contusion on her left triceps (sic) that was approximately two inches in diameter and numerous contusions on her left hand.
Brown pulled Robyn F. close to him and bit her on her left ear. She was able to feel the vehicle swerving from right to left as Brown sped away. He stopped the vehicle in front of 333 North June Street and Robyn F. turned off the car, removed the key from the ignition and sat on it. Brown did not know what she did with the key and began punching her in the face and arms. He then placed her in a head lock positioning the front of her throat between his bicep and forearm. Brown began applying pressure to Robyn F.’s left and right carotid arteries, causing her to be unable to breathe and she began to lose consciousness.
She reached up with her left hand and began attempting to gouge his eyes in an attempt to free herself. Brown bit her left ring and middle fingers and then released her. While Brown continued to punch her, she turned around and placed her back against the passenger door. She brought her knees to her chest, placed her feet against Brown’s body and began pushing him away. Brown continued to punch her on the legs and feet, causing several contusions.
There can be rehabilitation, but only through retribution and reconciliation with the truly awful nature of his crimes.
Facebook Pages to share:
MTV, Billboard, AOL, E! Online, Pitchfork
Twitter Accounts to Tag:
@chrisbrown, @pitchforkmedia, @TwitterMusic, @RollingStone, @MTV, @EOnline, @AOLMusic, @Billboard
Feel free to leave any others in the comment sections… My twitter username is @wiredjazz if you want to keep me posted on anything.
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