the photo

I will not be posting the recent photo that was released of Rihanna. If you need to check it out go to some other site or blog.

I was really upset upon seeing it on tv this morning. And what struck me about this photo was the fact that here was a bruised, saddened and frightened women that didn't deserve this. Although I did expect worse - this was bad. You can tell someone totally connected with her face many times. This was intentional. And I dont want to hear about drinking, drugs or any other lame excuse. She was beatdown!

What gives another person the right to strike out at another? Dude just thought it was ok to brutalize her and then leave her on the sidewalk? A rational, kinder, calmer gentlemen would have just taken her home. Let her be mad for whatever reason - just don't feel that its ok to BEAT HER DOWN!

See what has happened in society is we just accept that its ok for... (ok, I'm gonna go there...) for MEN to just abuse, curse, disappear and abandon their women. We have to teach our young men to be respectful of the women in their lives. Its not ok to hit, yell, berate, and use women.

A message to the men - if you are tired of the ol' ball and chain, girlfriend, wife, etc. - then step!! Tell your woman you are tired of whatever, go find a hobby or counselor to relieve your anger issues and leave BEFORE you have these knock-down drag out fights! Don't do the sneaking around behind her back, lying to her, getting other chicks pregnant, etc.

I am so tired of hearing people say - if you are a victim - you need to leave. Well, first off, it ain't that easy. If it was easy many, many women would have picked up and left. Think of how many times we have heard of women that did leave, that did go to court and still they were stalked and killed. Has anyone paid attention to the stats on women that are killed while pregnant? The numbers are high. This abusive situation is much more serious than a few bruises. Its deep, violent, psychologically damaging and deadly.

I want for people that know this is going on everyday around them (whether it is family, neighbors, co-workers, etc.)and we need to get involved.

If you hear it or see it -- just discreetly call the cops! Let's us step up our game in society. Let's write to our politicians and see that we have more serious jail time for batterers. Most of all lets save some lives!

I don't want to hear of the battered women syndrome! If you are living with a maniac -- wouldn't you be afraid to seek help?! So if you know of someone that is living in this fear - don't just tell them to call a hotline - tell them to make a plan, help them make a plan and help them to SAFELY get out!

See, everyone NOW wants a piece of Chris Brown. But where was everyone beforehand! You cannot tell me this was the first time he put his hands on her. Rihanna needs to check the people that she surrounds herself with.

As for him - my only advice is to get counseling and go join the military. Why the military? Because its obvious dude like to throw down and the military needs some guys like that. That fighting energy is what the country needs right now and his career is dead! He couldn't sing/dance on your local street corner for change!

But then again - everyone still loves R. Kelly!

All in all, I hope Rihanna can get past this in one piece! I hope we as a society can stop passing judgment about others and do what it takes to get involved and care about other peoples struggles!

Not cry and attend funerals after!