In 2009, Chris Brown made headlines when he was arrested for viciously attacking his then girlfriend, Rihanna, before the Grammy Awards. According to the official police report, which was obtained by TMZ, Brown left Rihanna with a split lip, a bloody nose, multiple bite marks, and bruises. Yet, the industry was somehow quick to forgive the musician.
Just three years later, he was welcomed back to the Grammys, where he won the award for Best R&B Artist and gave a rousing performance. Not everyone was ready to applaud Brown, however. On Twitter, a number of viewers lamented his comeback. “Whenever I see Chris Brown nominated for anything or performing, my soul dies a little,” wrote one user. Meanwhile, HelloGiggles condemned the Academy for honoring a domestic violence perpetrator: “I’m frustrated that the mainstream media is covering this story like it’s any comeback story, like an exiled prince’s return to a former glory.”
While the Academy may have had a short memory, the impact of his actions has been lasting. “For me, and anyone who’s been a victim of domestic abuse, nobody wants to even remember it,” Rihanna told Vanity Fair. “Nobody even wants to admit it. So to talk about it and say it once, much less 200 times, is like… I have to be punished for it?” Moreover, Brown has an extensive history of violence against women, having been accused of multiple crimes since attacking Rihanna.
If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233. You can also find more information, resources, and support at their website.
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Nicki
