I recently did an e-interview with feminist and writer, Amy Richards regarding a feminist's perspective on the Rihanna and Chris Brown case and domestic violence in general. Here are the questions and answers of the interview!
Q: When the occurrence first happened, Rihanna reportedly did not want to press charges again Chris Brown or even testify against him. What is your opinion about that?
A: This is very common -- women don't want to "tell" on the men they love -- even if they did bad things to them. They just don't want to get them into trouble -- it's a natural instinct. Also I think one/she fears retribution -- if you tell you will be blamed for "ruining them" and/or for looking for a story. It's not easy for women to win in those situations.
Q: Three weeks after the assault, Rihanna returned to Brown and were spotted on Miami Beach. First, why do you think she did this and second, do you think that it was a good idea considering there was still a chance that he may become violent again?
A: I think it was a bad idea, but also a natural one -- women often think "it was only once" and male abusers often convince that it was random behavior and not part of a pattern. And so the are seduced by the fact that it was a once-off -- however, more often than not the behavior does repeat itself and women often get into more serious issues for assuming that it only takes once.
Q: How do you think this affected fan's reaction with them being such role models? (ie. influence female fans)
A: I am not sure they were great role models -- to the extent that they were famous yes -- but the attention on them as role models was more after the fact and just de facto because of their fame... I think it was an important moment to distinguish between fame and role models.
Q: What message do you think this is sending out to women?
A: I think the situation was very realistic and reflect many women's realities and to that extent we should talk about it more. The only thing that made it markedly different is the money and power and thus we assume that powerful people are immune to being vulnerable -- that was the best teaching moment of how human powerful people are.
Q: What do you think women should do if they become the victims of domestic violence? What are some of the important steps both people involved should take?
A: Women must be heard and listened to -- they have to take their stories seriously and that often comes as a consequence of other people taking their stories seriously. I think women need outlets -- friends, coworkers, mass media, support networks -- all echoing their reality and sadly the fact that violence (at various degrees) is almost as common as not. I think women must report the violence --if only to create a paper trail for future violence. I also think that women need to know what their options are -- i.e. how can they simultaneously tell on this person and continue to love them. They plan themselves for this contradiction and that's wrong.
Q: Do you think Rihanna's comeback and change of style is being focused on more than the real issue of violence? And how do you think Brown's image was affected by the occurrence?
A: Absolutely -- but I think she is using it to her advantage. At least trying to hide the facts of the case.
This interview was extremely insightful. Thank you to Amy for sharing her opinion and expertise with us.
