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Teen Fans Blame...Rihanna

Experts stress need for education

By Evann Gastaldo, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 19, 2009 8:51 AM CDT

(Newser) – Who deserves the blame for Chris Brown’s alleged attack on Rihanna? Not Brown, say many teens. A recent survey showed 46% blame Rihanna, while 52% placed blame on both parties, the New York Times reports—and the level of support has parents worried. "She probly ran into a door and was too embarrassed so blamed it on Chris," wrote one teen. "She probably made him mad for him to react like that," said another.

Why the seemingly irrational response? Brown’s “posters are on the bedroom wall, the last face they see before they sleep,” said a teen mag editor, explaining that it’s hard for many to accept that the young star who once appeared alongside Sesame Street’s Elmo would abuse someone. Others, like the author of a book on hip-hop, blame it on the culture: “This is the air that hip-hop breathes.”

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (4)]

Rihanna arrives at the Clive Davis pre-Grammy party in Beverly Hills, Calif. on Feb. 7, 2009, left, and in this undated photo provided by TMZ, Rihanna is shown after she was beaten, according to TMZ. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles and TMZ)

Singer Chris Brown stands in a courtroom at the Criminal Justice Center in Los Angeles Thursday, March 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Pool, Bob Chamberlin)

Rihanna, left, and Chris Brown are seen at the MTV Movie Awards on Sunday June 1, 2008 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)

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She probably made him mad for him to react like that. You know, like, bring it on? - A ninth grade girl

He shouldn’t get into trouble if she doesn’t feel that way. She probably feels bad that it was her fault, so she took him back. - A ninth grade girl

The celebration of a stereotype of an aggressive, physical, often misogynistic masculinity that often justifies resolving conflict through violence. It can’t be held responsible for this, but it can’t be ignored. - Tricia Rose, author of The Hip Hop Wars

My best friend got hit by her boyfriend, and I don’t see people making a big deal about it. - Danielle Shores, 17

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COMMENTS

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Showing 2 of 2 comments

sache

Mar 19, 2009 4:30 AM CDT

Who knew teens were so clueless.

Rob

Mar 19, 2009 4:17 AM CDT

This is news because the blame is shifted to the victim here. There is no excuse for the physical attack she received. And it looks as if this guy's "contrite apology and discovery of God" will get him off the hook. If the record needs to be set straight, and apparently it does, this guy needs to be sent to trail and prosecuted for the whole world to see or we will never get this kind of violence under control. I guess I care less for the individuals involved in a specific incident, but feel that an incident can play a role in reducing the number of incidents to follow.

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Teen Fans Blame...Rihanna