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Chris Brown vs. the Haters: Why He Gets Vilified and John Lennon Doesn't

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"I used to be cruel to my woman, and physically -- any woman. I was a hitter. I couldn't express myself and I hit. I fought men and I hit women ... I am a violent man who has learned not to be violent and regrets his violence. I will have to be a lot older before I can face in public how I treated women as a youngster."

That's John Lennon admitting to abusing women, specifically his first wife Cynthia, in 1980. I'm reminded of this quote now because of the latest Chris Brown brouhaha. You might have read that he made some vile sexual comments toward a female comedian on Twitter after she called him a "miserable piece of s---" because of his 2009 assault of Rihanna. He then closed his Twitter account, once again getting raked over the coals for every misstep while other artists who've been convicted or accused of domestic violence -- particularly white artists -- get much less attention. And why is that?

The answer is a complicated combination of Brown and Rihanna's popularity, his frighteningly devoted fans, racial bias, the media's obsession with him and the fact that he's been publicly remorseless to the point that he seems shameless. It's like a symbiotic relationship of awfulness and tabloid fodder that doesn't seem to be going away any time soon.

For starters, Brown is still releasing No. 1 albums and winning Grammys, so the spotlight is going to be on him no matter what. Add in his penchant for trouble and the media's love of Rihanna, and there's no way his life won't be scrutinized. He and Rihanna are dreams come true for media outlets from TMZ to The New York Times: Young, attractive, scandalous and always in the public eye.

The internet has been particularly bad for Brown. People who weren't fans -- or didn't know who he was -- before the Rihanna incident were exposed to photos of her beaten face, a damning, haunting image that very well could have ended his career. News of his chair-throwing "Good Morning America" tantrum and club brawl with Drake leaked to the press almost instantly. Before he quit Twitter, we got to see Brown unfiltered, posting photos of his Taliban halloween costume and going on rants that showed he has a disturbing view of women in general. The evidence for his detractors keeps piling up and Brown's handlers seem powerless to stop it (one wonders what they actually have managed to keep quiet).

Then there are his fans. Team Breezy, as they're known, have become part of the discussion thanks to some horrific displays of solidarity. Dozens of women, mostly young, wrote on Facebook and Twitter that Brown "could beat me all he wants" and so on. After the Twitter incident with comedian Jenny Johnson, Brown fans threatened to kill her. As Gawker recently pointed out, other abusive celebrities like Motley Crue's Vince Neil or Charlie Sheen don't have such an obsessive following who defend their favorite star against so-called haters. For the anti-Brown contingent, this influence he has over so many people is just one more reason to bring him down.

Race, of course, factors into the hatred. People proudly and publicly call President Obama a nigger, so it's ridiculous to say it wouldn't play a part in hating a man who beat up one of the biggest pop stars in the world. On the same note, one can't argue that Brown's demonization happened only because he's black.

Dr. Dre's 1991 beating of Fox TV VJ Dee Barnes at a Hollywood party is rarely mentioned anymore, except for a lyric in Eminem's "Guilty Conscience," which happened to be a duet with Dre. Ike Turner and Rick James became punchlines later in their lives (in the latter's case, it seems a "Chappelle's Show" appearance can really make people forget that you've kidnapped, sexually assaulted and burned a woman with a crack pipe). Dre made $110 million last year, the highest of any musician in the world. And when it comes to comedy, Mike Tyson is probably better known among younger audiences as the crazy boxer from "The Hangover" than a convicted rapist.

The time and collective amnesia also work for Lennon, Axl Rose and Sid Vicious, the punk legend who most likely stabbed his girlfriend to death. In the case of the deceased Beatle, it seems the revelations of his abuse mainly came to light after his death, a footnote in his exalted history. It was a long time ago. His fans don't want to think about it, the media won't get any mileage out of bringing it up all the time and he can never hit another woman.

Keeping a low profile works for more contemporary rockers in recent years. During a concert, Ben Weasel of punk band Screeching Weasel punched two women in the face -- an incident caught on video -- and the only fallout was his band quit. He found new members and continues to work, though casual fans probably aren't supporting him as much. John Paul Pitts, the frontman for indie band Surfer Blood, was charged with battering his girlfriend in August 2012. He agreed to a court-mandated program to erase the charge, gave no comments to the press and the band is working on its major-label debut.

On the other hand, imagine if some young white superstar like Justin Bieber or a member of One Direction got caught hitting a woman, then acted like Brown? I'd like to think that the media and the public would treat them the same way.

But until something like that happens -- and it will, barring an epic evolutionary leap or divine intervention -- we're going to hear more about Chris Brown, celebrity abuser number one. You might be sick of the attention he gets, and that is completely his fault -- he's not getting out of his own way. You might believe it's an injustice that other famous men aren't held as accountable for their actions, and that's most definitely true.

So hate Chris Brown all you want, but don't condemn him and ignore the the likes of Lennon, Rose, Dre, etc. In the meantime, we can only hope that someday he has the maturity to change his ways and be honest about how he treats women.

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Alexandra

While I did like the article. I have one problem. ALL the men mentioned in this article besides Chris Brown and a few mentioned in the comments (sheen, Gibson, Tommy lee Jones, etc) were ALL REPEAT offenders. Sheen and Gibson continue to this day. Brown and Rihanna had one fight (one is more enough) and he has gone on to date not one but two other young ladies, neither of which he has laid or been accused of laying a finger on. I don't absolve Brown of his actions and to be honest no one here including the author of this article or the public knows how remorseful Brown was in private. Just because he didn't seem like he was "sorry" to us doesn't mean he wasn't.

He has been in therapy for Anger Management since 2010 and continues. Rihanna herself has gone to therapy as like Brown she is a child of an abusive household. She has admitted to having her own anger issues as well. I'm sorry but I do not believe that Brown belongs in the same category as the other repeaters. He hit, he was charged, he has completed ALL that was required of him by the law and he is still working on himself as well as trying to help other children of abuse so that they don't follow his path. I didn't read anywhere that the others have done anything similar. What more does this young man have to do before the world leaves him alone. His crime happened 3 years ago and he has not had another accusation since. He and the comedian got into because she basically stalked him for more than a year, but you didn't mention that. No you are just like the other outlets, writing half of the truth but not the whole. She was a cyber bully and yes Brown could have chosen another way to handle it. I wish he would have but while the world is so quick to judge his response, why not also focus on the reasons behind it. Had he stalked and bulled her (the comedian) the world would have hung him. But her bullying is okay. Her verbal abuse was just fine. His however was over the line. Nice pass we are giving out to the "favored" ones.

As far as Rihanna and Brown are concerned, it is their relationship, their lives and they are allowed the same rights as we are. They can live the way they see fit making the choices that are right for them. Rihanna said that Chris has changed and that she has seen what he has done and gone through...something we can not say because we weren't there. We preach "Forgiveness" but malign those who give. Nice lesson. I pray that those who judge this young man, never find themselves in need of that same forgiveness they are so unwilling to give.

funny thing is...Brown and Rihanna are not seeking our approval OR forgiveness. They simply ask that we leave them alone and let them get on with their lives.

December 24 2012 at 9:38 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Kathleen

I imagine, (no pun intended) that more people are aware of what Chris did (in this day and age of smart phones and ze interwebs) and not what John used to do so many years ago. While John Lennon openly took responsibility for being an asshat and changed his ways, Chris Brown shows no remorse, cracks jokes about it, and allegedly got a tattoo of an abused woman on his neck. Yes I heard the sugar skull BS and if that's the case I can recommend a really talented tattoo artist that he should check out....Lastly, RiRi is zero help and not using her brain about her public image, she is keeping this in the spotlight by continuing to defend and see him. That move in itself is unsettling for us as she is setting a dangerous example for all the young girls that love her and her music. IMO

December 08 2012 at 11:48 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Joseph

Chris Brown and John Lennon in the same sentence. PUKE!! Chris Brown is talentless garbage.

December 05 2012 at 8:42 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
MARLENE SMITH

I have been saying this for a long time, Charlie Sheen ,Dr. Dre, Mel Gibson. Axle Rose, Sean Penn. John Lennon. Check out these guys MO.Its time to bury this Chris Brown story. Enough Rihanna is back with him and like she said ITS no bodys buisness, so Mother Fuc2$RS stay out of others people business. Now I think CB. need to look around for new handlers, He is young and need to stop with twitter, and keep a low profile both he and Rihanna.

December 04 2012 at 11:12 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
micol1015

For one people are still talking about tit because Chris is easily baited every time someone says something to him about the incident on twitter. So its newsworthy when he fights back and acts like he can't handle the heat.

Second, why are we still talking about this? If Ri wants to be with him and is tweeting out shameless tweets, as if she is subliminally trying to ease us into the fact that they are back together and telling us by hinting that he's her "Diamond in the Sky" and that she is in love with him. Why do we care? If they want that tumultuous love, then let them go at it. Meanwhile, there are kids starving and being abused, animals dying and being tortured, can we talk about how we can stop that?

December 04 2012 at 7:02 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
P.M.

I write this because I just learned of a friend murdering his wife then committing suicide (no, not the football guy). Apparently my friend was abusive to his wife behind closed doors and not many people knew about it. Acceptance that you have harmed another human being is key in whether or not that person can redeem themselves in society's eyes. My friend obviously didn't want it known that he was less than kind to his wife, as this tragedy has shocked all of his friends and family who loved him. Ability to accept responsibility for one's actions takes courage. Inability to do so is a reflection that the person thinks the problem is the other person's fault, not theirs. Reaching out for help to understand why one has committed such an act also takes courage. Chris Brown seems to constantly be heading in a direction that is opposite anything remotely representing a desire to make amends. He still exhibits out of control rage and disdain for women. It is apparent that he truly doesn't like himself. I will not buy any of his music until I see a true change. That goes for Dre and any other violent knuckleheaded person (yes, women can be violent too! I wish somebody would jail Naomi Campbell for her constant physical bashing of people who have the unfortunate luck to be around her bipolar self). Chris Brown just continues to spin himself further and further into an undesirable human being. He always flips out when someone mentions the Rihanna battering. The fact that he still flips out is a great indication that he hasn't learned anything from his huge mistake. If he can't own it, why should the public forgive him? As for his youthful age, It is never too early to grow up. As human beings we shouldn't hurt anyone unless it is in TRUE self-defense (not the stupid Stand Your Ground law in Florida). Then the world might truly be a better place. Now my friend's three little kids have NO parents and will forever be left with emotional scars for life. All because my friend couldn't own his stuff and ask for help. In regard to race, it doesn't matter because battering is battering is battering. It isn't okay for anyone to do it. Redemption is a hard road to walk, but it is a challenge that can be met if the person is willing to do so. R.I.P. Rob and Amber and may GOD be with your children as they grow up without you both.

December 04 2012 at 3:40 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
o

He knows better. This has nothing to do with race, it's an "excuse", that won't erase his deeds.

December 04 2012 at 2:13 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
o

It's 2012 ya'll

December 04 2012 at 2:10 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
svs2274

Race is apparently the MAIN factor. Chris Brown is 23 years old people. Twenty Three!!!! John Lennon CERTAINLY did NOT ACT REMORSEFUL AT 23. He was STILL BEATING WOMEN!! AND HE BEAT MORE THAN ONE WOMAN!!! YET YOU ALL SAY HIS BEVAVIOR IS BETTER THAN CB!YOU WOULD ALL HAVE A CHIP ON YOUR SHOULDER IF ALL OF AMERICA CONDEMNED YOU, AT AGE 20, YET TURNED AN EYE WHEN WHITE SUPER STARS(sean penn,wm shattner,charlie sheen,christian bale,farret fawcett's fiance,rob lowe,mickey rourke,etc) DID WAY WORSE. STOP YOUR HYPORCRISY. I ADMIT AND RECOGNIZE THAT WE ALL FAVOR THOSE MOST LIKE US(OUR OWN RACE). BUT IT SEEMS LIKE EVERYONE IS NOT ABLE TO DO THAT.

December 03 2012 at 3:11 PM Report abuse -4 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to svs2274's comment
Drew

Sorry but I have to disagree. Chris Brown brought most of the attention on himself with his behavior after this all blew up. John Lennons abuse was not known until after he was dead, decades later, so nobody knew when he was 23 about it. Robb Lowes career was wiped out, mickey rourkes was wiped out, these guys had protestors and were shut out of movies for a long time. CB kept right on going, and was not shut out. This is more about publicity than anything else. CB attracts a lot of attention and when he makes statements like his, showing he has not changed, it angers people. Why are you not proud about all the people, black and white that stood up for Rihanna, a black singer and tried to protect her from Browns criminal behavior? This should be enough to show you your theory is flawed.

December 03 2012 at 11:51 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
lee.butler@y7mail.com

Race has nothing to do with why anyone hates Chris Brown over John Lennon. Lennon might have hit women, but his statement about it shows he felt horrible about it, he knew he'd done wrong. John Lennon actually felt remorse for his actions. He also wrote some of the best music of all time and actually did everything possible to try and bring peace or make people do something good... Chris Brown, on the other hand, has never shown any remorse. He is still smug and self serving and willing to fight anyone and everyone, he never showed anything resembling remorse for his actions and has shown to still be horribly violent and cruel towards women, having learned nothing from his violent actions. On top of that Chris Brown makes horrible music and has done nothing to better society or even try, he is self serving and learned nothing about his past.

We vilify Brown because he didn't learn from his mistakes, we praise Lennon because he made up for them.

December 03 2012 at 5:15 AM Report abuse +5 rate up rate down Reply