I am not a celebrity news blogger. We talk politics here, but the Ike and Tina circus surrounding black recording artists Rihanna and Chris Brown became more surreal as a graphic photo showing the injuries inflicted on her by boyfriend Chris Brown surfaced on TMZ and I must comment. The cocoon of silence protecting Rihanna was broken today after her publicist released a brief missive to the press:
At the request of the authorities, Rihanna is not commenting about the incident involving Chris Brown. She wants to assure her fans that she remains strong, is doing well, and deeply appreciates the outpouring of support she has received during this difficult time.
Chris Brown, attempting damage control, issued a statement Sunday which read in part:
“Words cannot begin to express how sorry and saddened I am over what transpired,” the 19-year-old batterer said in a statement released by his publicist. “I am seeking the counseling of my pastor, my mother and other loved ones and I am committed, with God’s help, to emerging a better person.”
Brown added, “Much of what has been speculated or reported on blogs and/or reported in the media is wrong. While I would like to be able to talk about this more, until the legal issues are resolved, this is all I can say except that I have not written any messages or made any posts to Facebook, on blogs or any place else. Those posts or writings under my name are frauds.”
Brown, who has suffered the loss of lucrative endorsements like Doublemint, is said to be reeling from the cacophony of negative publicity, but remains upbeat that he will ultimately beat the rap. This incident is ugly, tragic, and unnecessary. These two have everyting most young people can dream of and for it to be marred by a thoughtless act of gratuitous violence is really sad. As one brotha to another, I hope the Los Angeles DA will, like your hit song says “take you down.”
As for the beautiful Rihanna, I only have one thing to say: Leave him, baby. Don’t let this birthday be your last.
Skeptical Brotha 