Russell Simmons defends that poor, sad, innocent, suffering Chris Brown
Russell Simmons has opened his mighty tone-deaf mouth once again and put his foot right in it. The subject: Chris Brown. The gist: Everybody stop picking on Chris Brown. The logic: Because Chris Brown is an innocent young foal of a man being destroyed by fame, which, as everybody knows, is a ruthless, crushing prison dressed up as a life of privilege and riches.
Church! Brown’s straits have grown so dire that he’s had to part with his publicist. His publicist! Cripes, will Brown’s suffering never end? It’s almost as if someone grabbed Brown by the back of his neck and beat him with the dashboard of a rented Lamborghini!
The Simmons essay -- in the same way that a high school book report is technically an essay -- is just too rich to paraphrase. We’re going to have to parse this poetry. Here are some of our favorite excerpts:
"Chris is suffering from the same thing as almost every young star has gone through, including the Disney kids."
Absolutely. Because everybody remembers that time that Nick Jonas trashed the "Good Morning America" green room. Sorry, Russell. Please. Do continue.
"And because of that one regretful incident, no one will give him a break."
Right. That incident where he beat up Rihanna. Or maybe it was the incident where Brown referred to said beating as a “mishap.” Or maybe it was the incident when Brown made homophobic slurs on Twitter. Or maybe it was that incident where all the PAs at GMA had to dash for cover from the flying slivers of Brown-borne shrapnel. Because that one incident should not haunt a young man for the rest of his days.
"Chris Brown is suffering."
Well, yeah. Have you ever had your hair bleached? Hurts your scalp like a mother.
"I am troubled by the people, critics and members of the media who drag Chris away from his art. His freedom is deeply rooted in his artistic expression. It is during those seconds of stillness when you're dancing that the Christ/Buddha/Allah/Moses inside of you is awakened and comes to power."
Yeah, absolutely, like that time when -- wait, what?
"Coming back home is a very difficult thing. Coming back to being normal, coming back to that pure place of artistry."
You sure, Russell? Because the cracks that Brown left in the windows at the ABC TV studios are absolutely gorgeous. They’re like Jackson Pollock meets Banksy. Art is still alive and well within Chris. Promise.
"My heart and office door is always open to him."
Hey, that’s terrific. I just hope your office doesn’t have any windows.
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Chris Brown can be near Rihanna again, if he doesn't annoy her
-- Leslie Gornstein
Photo: Chris Brown, left, and Russell Simmons attend the "F.A.M.E." album release dinner in New York City. Credit: Larry Busacca / Getty Images
Brown is suffering from delusion of grandeur.
Posted by: Abby | Mar 25, 2011 at 02:29 PM
Wow! I thought everybody knew money doesn't buy happiness. I learned that a long time ago as a middle class black kid in a predominantly wealthy white academy. I first used to judge my rich counterparts as so lucky and well off. All the money for the newest clothes and trips all over the world. So lucky. However while attending a retreat with some of my classmates I learned through, a very emotional intimate circle of confessions, that some of my richest classmates were suffering inside due to various reasons. A few who even contemplated suicide. So even if Chris Brown has all the riches in the world I will not judge himjust as I willnever judge anyone who has any type of problem, no matter how well off you think they are. Rich, poor, black white brown, gay or straight, everyone has their problems and demons and I hope Chris finds and gets rid of them while he is still young. He is only 21 for goodness sakes. The media needs to stop bullying this kid because I feel what he did to rihanna was terrible, but so is this cyberbullying that has gone on with chris brown. LA. Times two wrongs don't make a right.
Posted by: drew | Mar 25, 2011 at 03:02 PM
yes thats exactly what it is "bullying." chris and rihanna have both moved on and both are having a good year. time for everyone else to move on. what makes this kind of bullying different from school yard bullying? charlie sheen seems to enjoy the negative news. go hype on him. really. talk about beating a dead horse with a stick. chris can dance and he makes great songs lets talk about that. lets talk about his come back.
Posted by: shell517nj | Mar 25, 2011 at 04:17 PM
WOW. Leslie Gornstein, smh...guess in your little world no body makes mistakes and grow from it in peace, i guess in your world pure criticism is best and 'constructive' criticism is nothing worth mentioning. Im not a fan of chris, but looking at your blog..you sound just like another person who hates, no matter what that person do. you find ways to nit pick.
Exposure gets too you, some handle it well. Others not so much..chris was one of the great ones, till the rihanna incident. He made a mistake and im glad he did his time for it, the whole world( including me) hated him for hitting rihanna. Unfortunately, chris grew up to domestic violence, believe it or not it IS really common, for victims who watch or been through domestic violence to act the same way of the abuser later down in life. It is REALLY common for people who take anger management to slip up and have an episode. but because he's famous i guess its ok to put him down whenever he messes up. WOW. No one condones his actions and i dont either but its reading stuff like this that makes me think thats crazy how they continually praise charlie sheen on his crazy rants but chris is a "thug" or a cry baby when he has has a rant or lashout. Same thing with kanye west. SMH
Posted by: Rich | Mar 25, 2011 at 04:42 PM
I think chris brown is nice and sweet it doesn't make any sense he is a human being like everyone else and he should be treated with respect so let him live his life
Posted by: jasmine Ludd | Mar 25, 2011 at 04:51 PM
Again, that “one regretful incident” was smashing a woman’s face in, fleeing the scene and calling anyone “haters” who dares bring it up. Yea, let’s cut that kid a break. Let’s feel sorry for the little coward who couldn’t handle a few questions from the woman on the ABC talk show. Chris Brown's newly displayed outburst / vandalism give the public a real good picture as to how he has matured since the Rhianna incident. Even Oprah Winfrey said, "If a man hits you once, he will hit you again. He will hit you again." Sorry, Russell Simmons beating the crap out of your girlfriend is a far cry from the "types of struggles that all those other Disney kids have." Name a current male Disney star that has been charged with assault & battery for physically beating a girl? Chris Brown needs to realize that it is going to take a very long time for the public to forget about & forgive him for his assault on Rhianna. Those gruesome pictures displayed in the media will NEVER go away, that is a scar Chris Brown will have on his resume for life!!!
Posted by: Lewis | Mar 25, 2011 at 05:08 PM
How can you fault a young man who,s personal idol seems to be Dennis Rodman!
Posted by: Erica Stephens | Mar 25, 2011 at 05:45 PM
Russell is right. The things Chris is passing through is the same thing many talented artists also faced. Michael Jackson never really got a chance to showcase his full potential because the media was so stuck in the past and his personal life. They are doing the same with Chris, but he needs to be steadfast in the Lord and be strong and he will do well.
Posted by: Misty | Mar 25, 2011 at 05:50 PM
His new album FAME is amazing. I bought it the other day to show my support for him. He's been through so much. Lets not all forget that he is still young and still growing. Yes, he's done wrong in the past and he's really trying to move forward with his life. Seems that every time he takes a step forward, the media pushes him back.
Posted by: Fionna | Mar 25, 2011 at 08:28 PM
oh that makes sense, this is written by a woman....
Posted by: John Stamos | Mar 25, 2011 at 09:36 PM
Gosh, that's harsh. You're suppose to help people get up, not look down on them and laugh. Sure, Chris made stupid decisions, not mistakes, DECISIONS. But it doesn't mean we should shun him for the rest of his life. Try a bit of sympathy, and don't act as though you know all sides of the story.
Posted by: Jess | Mar 25, 2011 at 10:08 PM
It amazes me how as soon as something bad or negative happens, the media is ALL over it and gets the public hyped about it but good or positive things are not news worthy so its not discussed in the media. Because of this, people only hear the bad things Chris and other celebs do and as such, they are seen as constantly causing trouble or having outbursts. The negative always overshadow the positive, but I guess that is the way of the world today. I bet if his appearance on the show was exemplary, it wouldn't be talked about today.
Posted by: Lisa | Mar 26, 2011 at 02:18 AM
I agree with Russell Simmons, we need to let Chris Brown rest and heal if Rhianna can forgive him ,since she is the one he hurt,then we need to leave it alone. I am sure he learned from his mistakes, even the judge said he is doing good,but the public is still holding grudges we need to let Chris grow
Posted by: YVONNE | Mar 26, 2011 at 08:39 AM
Oh! please! Russell sell your crap else where! Chris Brown Come correct!! Just say it! Your mothers relationships did affect you.. and your working hard to make a change!! My parents relationship totally made me run! from others! I dont believe your a monster Chris Brown!! Your human! you made a mistake and until your say that deep down your upbring played a role in your fall, you'rer going to keep falling!! not all the bleach and tats in the world are going to change the inside..... I grew up in a house of abuse! i know! Go work it out!!
Posted by: Annitte | Mar 26, 2011 at 09:53 AM
Chris the blond hair is just not working...it's creepy Dennis Rodman like...just icky, really...
Posted by: Dancingbear | Mar 26, 2011 at 11:47 AM
It is attitudes like yours, Mr. Simmons, making excuses for their actions, that Chris Brown, Lindsay Lohan, Charlie Sheen and all the rest act like such FOOLS. There are no REAL CONSEQUENCES for their actions. All three of the above-mentioned should have gone to jail a long time ago.
They are going to continue to act like animals and feel a sense of entitlement until someone in law enforcement decides to do their job. And I don't men probation and one year of anger management.
In addition, as long as society (you and I) accept their behavior as "ok" they will continue to get away with it until someone is killed. Then its too late.
Posted by: Ann | Mar 26, 2011 at 06:57 PM
Mr. Simmons I forgot to mention all of the other teen stars and Disney kids who have NOT beat up their boyfriends/girlfriends or trashed other peoples property. They have CHOSEN NOT to.
Mr. Simmons, people have choices and those choices lead us down the roads we travel and to the consequences we receive in life.
Mr. Brown CHOSE to beat Rhianana and Mr. Brown CHOSE to destroy that room because like a two-year old having a tantrum, he didn't like what was happening to him.
Posted by: Ann | Mar 26, 2011 at 07:05 PM
funny that...most of his defenders are women. remind me again why beating up women is a crime when so many women say its ok as long as you say 'sorry' after?
Posted by: mike | Mar 27, 2011 at 05:51 AM
Rule number one you never hit a women,ever,dont care who you are or what happend,if you cross that line their is no cumming back.He did what he did because he is a ingnorant fool,what he did can never be forgoten...
Posted by: cony | Mar 27, 2011 at 07:22 AM
I wonder if Mr. Simmons would like his beautiful daughters to go out with Chris Brown?
Posted by: lwc | Mar 27, 2011 at 11:00 PM
It is not surprising that some people are getting tired of the constant references to the Rihanna fracas. Enough is enough. He pleaded guilty and has done his punishment. Let him get on with his life.So he lost his nerve at GMA, most people would if they had to talk about an incident which happened two years ago.
Posted by: Heilige Bimbam | Apr 01, 2011 at 03:13 PM
He's right. At what point does he get a second chance. The second chance doesn't have to be with Rihanna.
Posted by: h. nichols | Apr 07, 2011 at 02:55 PM
Russell Simmons is not as smart as everyone thinks he is. His success in Rap and clothes do not translate to intelligence and wisdom about everything else is like. Arguably, his hip hop legacy does not qualify him to be the role model so many people treat him like. Defending a woman beater who constantly shows that he has a temper? I understand RS is tryin to be supportive...but this was just a stupid decision.
Posted by: Middle | May 08, 2011 at 11:47 AM