Readers, Kanye, and now Rihanna forgive Chris Brown?

Three weeks ago Chris Brown turned himself into Hollywood police for allegedly beating his girlfriend Rihanna, and readers flooded the comment threads of LA Now. Many of those who left a comment supported Brown in one manner or another.

Even after a photo was leaked which appeared to be Rihanna battered and bruised, readers continued to remain loyal to the 19-year-old R&B heartthrob here on the Comments Blog and around the web.

After singer Ne-Yo, who has toured with Brown and co-written a song with Rihanna, met with Rihanna Monday he told MTV that whenever he meets up with Brown next he will tell him that what happened was "inexcusable" but "that's still my homeboy at the end of the day."

Meanwhile there's video on the cutting room floor, Reuters says, of Kanye West asking a Culver City studio audience, "can't we give Chris a break?" On a VH-1 episode of "Storytellers" that airs tonight, West defends a handful of celebrities including Michael Phelps, Michael Jackson, and O.J. Simpson), and then says that he can relate to Brown. "I know I make mistakes in life," the dapper rapper said during the 3-hour concert and conversation that was edited to 90 minutes. Although some of West's defenses will air, the Brown part won't, writes Reuters.

Now People is reporting that Sean Combs has opened one of his Miami homes to Rihanna and Brown and the two are reconciling on Star Island. 

So were our readers right to defend Brown all along? Could Rihanna (as they have suggested) be part or most to blame for the argument and altercation, as well as previous abuse at the hands of Brown in the past?

-- Tony Pierce

AP photo of Rihanna and Chris Brown at the 2008 MTV Movie Awards in Los Angeles by Matt Sayles

Comments

[Tessa]

I'm stunned I can't believe what I heard I was speechless at first. I thought for sure it was just gossip. Put it this way hopefully he never does this again and if he ever did no one would have sympathy for her since hearing they are back together . For the ones who stuck by Chris through it all it amazed me and worried me as well. What does it say that the younger generation think that it is okay for someone to beat you up and then still support person who hit her ( give the person a break) How backwards is this? I felt i was reading some 18th century attitudes about men beating up on woman. We have come along way yet it seems we are right back where we started about abuse. The support should have been solely towards Rihanna but now hearing about her taking him back thats just plain nuts! What does this imply to the ones that look up to her , I wonder what her next song will be ' Beat me up baby' Because Ill take you back honey'

[cshel718]

You can't be serious.

As is often the case, battered women tend to forgive and return to their abusers - it's a terrible dance that nonetheless requires a partner. Rhianna, sadly, is apparently emotionally damaged as well - anyone who returns to or would even consider returning someone who physically abused them usually feels that they are in some way responsible for, or deserving of, the abuse.

With the exception of physically attacking Brown, no matter what Rhianna said or did is NO EXCUSE for Brown's actions. All the male celebrities showing support for their "homeboy" are likely guilty of abuse as well, which is why they're asking for "understanding" from the public.

Abusers need to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, and ANY woman who goes back to the man who abused her is in serious need of therapy, not a love nest from some well-heeled celebrity where they can "work things out". At some point, though, if the woman goes back to her abuser, she makes her choices and must live - and eventually die - with them.

[k]

Are you !*##!% kidding me?! It's articles like this that perpetuate all manner of violence against women. The author should be ashamed.

[MICHELE MCCARTHY]

No one ever, ever ,ever, should be hit or beaten It is assault.Do not window dress it.MOST VIOLENCE IS AGAINST WOMAN AND CHILDREN NO ONE SHOULD MAKE EXCUSES.

[John]

So West feels the need to defend OJ Simpson? Maybe it was Nocole Brown's fault and poor old OJ had to slit her throat and Ron Goldman's for good measure. Just a mistake. Stick to "singing," clown, although what I heard on SNL could hardly be called that.

[Voice of Reason]

RIHANNA HAS MADE A STATEMENT TO THE WOMEN OF THE WORLD THAT ABUSE IS 'OK'. THIS STATEMENT IS CRIMINAL WHEN CONSIDERING HER YOUNG FEMALE FANS!!!!!!!!! SHE HAS ALSO SENT A MESSAGE TO MEN THAT IT IS 'OK' TO ABUSE WOMEN.
I UNDERSTAND THAT SHE IS VERY PUBLICLY SUFFERING FROM 'BATTERED WIFE SYNDROME', BUT HER QUICK RETURN TO THE ARMS OF HER ABUSER ACTUALLY HOLDS VERY NEGATIVE IMPLICATIONS FOR SOCIETY!!!
THE LAPD ALREADY IS EXTREMELY LENIENT OR IGNORANT WHEN IT COMES TO DOMESTIC ABUSE. THIS CASE, HAD RIHANNA TAKEN A STAND, STOOD TO HELP SOCIETY BY SHOWING WOMEN THAT THEY CAN LEAVE AN ABUSIVE SITUATION AND GOTTEN THE POLICE TO TAKE THIS MORE SERIOUSLY. UNFORTUNATELY, SHE HAS DECIDED TO NEGATIVELY IMPACT HUMANITY!!!!!!
IN NEW MEXICO, IT IS ONE OF THE ONLY STATES THAT ACTUALLY HAS VERY STRICT LAWS WITH REGARDS TO DOMESTIC ABUSE. WOMEN ARE PROTECTED AND MEN ARE INCARCERATED FOR LONG ENOUGH TO RECIEVE HELP WITH THE ISSUES THAT TRIGGER THEIR VIOLENCE.
IGNORING THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A VERY LONG TIME, AND NOW RIHANNA BLEW THE DIVINE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A POSITIVE CHANGE. THERE ARE NO WORDS FOR HOW SAD THIS IS!!!

[sm]

Tina Turner apparently taught her nothing. Sad :(

[DDHGUser]

I don't understand why Rihanna would go back to Chris Brown!! This is so frustrating. When you look at the picture of her injuries, as a woman, I was personally offended, but I'm even more offended that she would actually go back to the guy who abused her. It's one thing to forgive him eventually, but quite another for her to get back together with him! -- DontDateHimGirl.com

[wowie.]

wow. isnt that some stuff?
well i still support chris brown.
this article doesnt have enough evidence to prove theyre back together though...

[kayd]

All you ppl need to shut up and look at this clearly. This is very simple... KEEP UR HANDS TO UR SELF.. DON'T HIT NO ONE IF YOU DON'T WANNA BE HIT. Best believe it u will get a reaction for every action. The media builds these celebrities up to bring them down. For the last time LEAVE CHRIS BROWN ALONE. He has worked hard to get to where he is, too hard for this s*** to destroy it. You need to mind ur business and let them work it out, its not ur choice nor ur life..... KEEP YOUR HEAD UP CHRIS, STAY STRONG AND BE COOL............ MUCH LOVE.............

[Jason]

next time chris is going to kill her

[c]

I agree with the other posts that the message is sending to women about forgiving men's violence is unexcusable.

I am boycotting Chris for his violence against Rihanna.

I am boycotting Kayne, Diddy, and Ne-Yo for their support of violence against women.

I am now also boycotting Rihanna for her modeling to other women complicity towards violent behavior.

May their money (the only thing they obviously care about) be drained from their coffers.

[Gaby g.]

"Could Rihanna (as they have suggested) be part or most to blame for the argument and altercation, as well as previous abuse at the hands of Brown in the past?"

What year is this?? 1950? I am shocked and outraged that the LA Times would allow such a blog entry to be posted under its name. It's one thing to try to provoke an intelligent dialogue on an important issue; it's another thing to legitimize a position accepting abuse.

[twilightdoll53]

I will never listen to another chris brown song again. Ne-Yo Diddy Kayne all have mothers daughters sisters and i am sure they would be upset if it happened to any one of them. what a bunch of selfish selfabsorbed f***ing morons.I will boycott all of them and I hope all other women will to.The sad thing is that most of these singers fans are women and they clearly DO NOT CARE ABOUT OR RESPECT THEM . So I think that they did it to.

[Nichole]

um...who cares. I guess we dont have enough of our own personal problems so we gotta concern ourselves with the Chris Brown and Rihanna drama. I believe that TuPac put it best when he said "ONLY GOD CAN JUDGE ME". As far as I am concerned, God bless these two talented young people-WHATEVER they decide to do. They have their whole lives ahead of them and more mistakes to make. I am not excusing ABUSE of any kind, I'm just saying don't be so quick to judge people...HE WITHOUT SIN CAST THE FIRST STONE...

[Disappointed]

If this is true I will be so disappointed. As a black man with female relatives, and friends who have been abused, my experience is that some women return to the abuser after they have been battered. The reasons range from their own feelings of responsibility to justifying the abuse as a sign of caring. There is nothing that anyone who cares about them can tell them. The victim has to figure out for themselves (usually after several additional beatings), that the abuser does not respect them. Unfortunately many women never leave. Others leave only after being beaten in front of "friends" in public. The unfortunate reality is that they just don't hear the concerns of anyone who sees the beating as a serious problem. The more you try to explain why it is wrong, the more they ignore your appeals to reason.... and they sink deeper into the abusive relationship.

I am really hoping that with the resources at her disposal, she can be an example of empowerment for all young women. I hope for a public champion leading the charge against domestic violence. Assuming that this story is true, she has become a famous example that abused women can now use to justify their acceptance of their own abuse.

There is no excuse for what has happened. Chris Brown's actions are not excusable or minor.

[Tessa]

You know what amazes me is this... If that didn't actually happen as the press stated it did. Why didn't Rihanna deny all if it was untrue. She didn't its that simple... that says the entire story ..

[This article is awful!]

I have been hit by a woman once and I never felt the need to "DEFEND" myself by punching her in the face with my fists. Chris brown and Rihanna are not in the same weight class as fighers. He could have left the car, and run away. He could have held her arms down. I didn't notice any bruises or scratches on his face. Does that mean she was throwing body punches? In a car? It is ridiculous to suggest that Rihanna is reponsible for beating her own face with Chris Brown's fists. Ne-Yo is young and loyal beyond reason... maybe excusable. But Kanye and Diddy have shown that they are truly morons. In the heat of the moment, Chris Brown could have killed her.

[Tessa]

It's this simple. If you believe that he didn't do it why then hasn't Rihanna denied the allegations from the start ? She hasn't has she? What does this tell you?

[phil55]

I do not forgive the media for making this an every day story for weeks.

[twitter.com/mccaw]

So IF/WHEN she gets popped again, she'll be partially to blame here. If she had kicked a batterer to the curb after the first time, he can't hit her again. I don't pity Rihanna after this point.

[Worried]

This just is sad to me. She is one of the countries top leading female performers she should be standing up and defending herself and setting an example that domestic violence is wrong and should be dealt with severely. She is only making herself look bad and being a horrible influence to the younger female generations that look up to her. She is now becoming a poster child of PRO-Domestic Abuse. It disgusts me, she knows its wrong, she wouldn't of called the police and all she has to do is pick up a newspaper, turn on a radio, TV, or computer and see she has 100% support from fans, media and fellow celebrities. She is a huge disappointment :( She should of never called the police and had this go public, if she was only going to let him continue to beat on her.. :(

[pam]

This comes to me as no surprise. Rihanna portrays a woman with a weak mentality and no backbone and Chris Brown is a deeply troubled individual.

They are the new Bobby and Whitney!! I can't wait to see them do drugs together :-(, sad but true.

Rihanna, sadly you and Chris' sales will drop. so dont be surprised because many people are offended by your decisions.

You must realize that although you want to have a life of your own, you are role models and are idolized for your decisions. Thats the price of fame!! This was definitely not the way to go, first off lying to your fans about the initial relationship and now promoting physical abuse.

I like you Rihanna but what are you trying to prove?
And Chris you've been lying since the day you were signed!

[ShawtyShotgun]

Ok so now I'm like what? I don't even know anymore. I understand that they may love each other but when a man well boy puts his hands on you, "WHAT'S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT?"

I know many may say well I'm not in the relationship so I don't know but what we do know is that he was booked and she was beaten. Point blank. End of story. This is just getting ridiculous now.

Thursday he has his court date at 8:30 and I guess we shall see what happens then. Until then, this just makes me sick!

[donna]

There's no doubt that a physical altercation took place between the two. What took place? I don't know and only they know the entire story. Innocent until proven guilty. I grabbed my son's arm to keep him from falling. He had an awful bruise for 2 weeks. His school called child protective services. Some people bruise differently then others. Maybe she initiated the altercation, maybe not. Maybe he put his hand on her face trying to keep her at a distance and from hitting him, maybe not. He's a young strong man and could hurt her and cause bruises in any number of ways. Maybe he beat the crap out of her, maybe not. We don't know what took place. STOP JUDGING!!!