The Obsession With Rihanna and Chris Brown-Are They Being Good Role Models?

It seems like the media is obsessed with pop singer, Rihanna, and her on-again-off-again boyfriend, R& B singer, Chris Brown. Back in 2009 he beat her to a pulp and then they appeared to break up but were still seen together. Then, after a few weeks, it seemed as though they had broken up and had both moved on.

In September, Rihanna told media mogul, Oprah Winfrey, in an interview, that she still loved Chris Brown. Not long after Rihanna’s interview,  Chris Brown broke up with his girlfriend of two years, saying he didn’t want his “friendship” with Rihanna to hurt her. Now, the couple (presumed) is being seen together regularly.

Because they are both in the spotlight, many are wondering if their re-union does not send a dangerous message that domestic violence is acceptable.

We asked the question, “Is it right to be concerned about Rihanna going back to Chris Brown and the message that she is sending or is too much pressure being put on her to be a “role model”?  on our Facebook page  and the responses are as follows: ( Feel free to respond to the question yourself.)

“People need to mind their own business and let the young people live and learn”

 

“SMH THIS IS THE HOT TOPIC IN OUR COMMUNITY HUH?HOW BOUT WE BE ROLE MODELS TO OUR OWN KIDS.”

 

“Quite frankly I don’t care. She’s grown and can do what she wants. I would be more concerned if parents weren’t setting the examples of who a role model should or shouldn’t be. Growing up I never looked at celebrities as role models. I looked at family members, members of my church etc. Also we often forget that these people are human just like we are.”

 

“It’s her life and her choice to be with whomever she wishes to be with, I don’t understand it, but I don’t have to. She’s an entertainer not my child’s role model, that’s my job as a parent.”

 

“I don’t believe in domestic violence…but that’s her choice”

 

“Life is Full of experience good or bad, you can live not to have experience both and without mistakes how can you learn. She is Old enough to decide, to chose with whom shes going out with period.”

 

“It’s right to be more concerned about what’s going on in your own home! What are YOUR children doing? And why are they looking up to Rihanna and not their doctor, or their parents? Or someone else positive in their lives?”

 

“Ummm as “black America” i don’t care..But if its true then Chris is stupid!.. Should he do anything to hurt her again.. And this includes yelling he can get 3 to 5! He’s the dummy why would you give any person such control..
Rihanna hounded Chris… I don’t feel sorry for her!..”

 

“too much pressure to be a role model…”

 

“It is her their decision to live their lives as they choose. We spend too much time and energy focusing on what other people are doing. Ask yourself, what am I doing to live the best life I can?”

 

“The question itself is a sad implication that we as Black people are not instilling the proper morals and values into our seeds. People that have time to concern themselves with the private lives of celebrities are clearly mismanaging their most valuable resource (TIME). Which celebrity knows who or cares who the average person dates? If you like and support an artist, athlete or any other celebrity then support their art, but never regard them as role models; they are no better than anyone else. That dad or mom that is doing all they can do to provide for their seeds are the true heroes and role models. That is all.”

 

“It is right to be concern about what happens to any member of the Black community BUT If we, the Afrikan Community Study and understand RACISM we will know it is not her decision. On the slave camps the slave masters choose your mates. What ever happen with that proverb it takes a village to raise a child. Where are the Elders of the African Community.”

 

“actually it’s non of anyone’s business what anyone else does with their life, whether we like it or not. they had the power to get over it and forgive, why can’t everyone else?”

While some responders are concerned, an overwhelming majority feel that the couple should be left alone and if it turns out that getting  back together was a mistake then they will have learned a lesson. As for being role models, an overwhelming majority of responders seem to think they are not and should not be viewed as such.