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Why Is Mary J. Blige Working With Chris Brown?

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Lisabel (ne: Dagnabbit)
06/16/09

In reply to Why Is Mary J. Blige Working With Chris Brown?
Oh Tracie, you had me at the post title.
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VoxPopuli
06/15/09

In reply to Why Is Mary J. Blige Working With Chris Brown?
So much for "No More Drama."
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BubblesDvere
06/15/09

In reply to Why Is Mary J. Blige Working With Chris Brown?
maybe she thinks that he made a mistake, is sorry and should be forgiven.

i know it's shocking to think that a 19 year old boy could have some deep psychological issues and needs help and why would someone might reach out to him rather than condem him?

no, no that would be too ridiculous for words. what was I thinking?
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Hooplehead
06/15/09

@BubblesDvere: What reaction are you looking for here? The guy beat the hell out of and bit a woman who was half his size. Most people on feminist sites don't have a positive attitude towards domestic abusers.
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BubblesDvere
06/16/09

@Hooplehead: I don't care what feminist sites have to say, it doesn't make it gospel and it doesn't make me less of a feminist if I believe that you should extend a hand to understand another person better and help them so that they don't do make the same mistakes again.

Why is it so hard to believe that one human being may not want to judge another human being or allow themselves the right to condeming someone?
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whynotshesaid
06/16/09

@BubblesDvere: Perhaps you can understand that some of us were beaten by 19-year-old men when we were younger, and so it's not quite as easy for us to be as forgiving as you are.
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Hana Maru, used up old slutbag on the pole
06/15/09

In reply to Why Is Mary J. Blige Working With Chris Brown?
I'm seriously disappointed in MJB's comments, leaving aside the question of her working with CB. What does "They're young and beautiful" have to do with anything? "It's two sides to every story, and people need to listen to both sides before they start killing the next person" can only mean that she believes that some circumstances(like the oft invoked rumors about Rihanna's behavior) could justify such a brutal and one sided assault. And is it the public, or the court system that's "killing" Chris Brown? There is such an outpouring of sympathy for this man, along with the sliming of her character, as if the damage to his rep hurts more than her FACE.
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Jackiewsu
06/15/09

In reply to Why Is Mary J. Blige Working With Chris Brown?
Why shouldn't she work with him? Sean Penn works, Sean Connery works, and so does Josh Brolin. I understand the anger but what I don't get is why he gets so scrutinized while the rest of these domestic abusers get a free pass. Why is everyone so quick to damn a 19 year old? Someone made a comment about not buying MJB anymore if she works with Chris. I seriously doubt anyone here is boycotting Sean Penn, Sean Connery or Josh Brolin. Why?
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Evie Havok
06/15/09

@Jackiewsu: What's the one glaring difference between Chris Brown and Sean Penn, Sean Connery, Josh Brolin? Give it a guess.

People can change but if you shove them out and marginalize them they are less likely to do so.
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JessaFields
06/15/09

@Evie Havok: We haven't seen pictures of any of their victims and we have seen a picture of Rihanna after she was beaten up?

I know you're getting at the fact that Chris is the only black man and maybe that is it, but I think a lot people also find it easier to believe something isn't true when they haven't seen the actual evidence.
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Jackiewsu
06/15/09

@JessaFields: here's evidence.

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sshacker
06/15/09

@Jackiewsu: Its hard for people to admit to these things, don't expect any honest responses.
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Evie Havok
06/15/09

@sshacker: Especially among self described "liberals." They don't want anything to do with the words "bias", "prejudice", or "racism."
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JessaFields
06/15/09

@Jackiewsu: I've seen that before (and thus hate Sean Connery), but I imagine a lot of people my age and younger haven't. I guess I'm just saying maybe people aren't angry with these men because they don't know about this stuff (although they should). This Chris Brown thing just happened and was very visible. If Diane Lane were on TMZ with a bruised face, I imagine (and hope) the reaction would be similar to this story.

I could be completely wrong, though.
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Hana Maru, used up old slutbag on the pole
06/15/09

@Evie Havok: What about Big Pun?
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GoldenRatioφ (aka -girl11)
06/15/09

@Jackiewsu: On top of the whole race-based prejudices, the first thing that came to my mind is that when Chris Brown abused Rihanna recently, we live in society obsessed with celebrity, with access to Twitter and gossip sites 24/7, and with more of an awareness (god i hope) of domestic violence. Rihanna's photo after the abuse was posted, for anyone to access, online. The actors you named are all older, and I'm 24 and don't remember when those abuses occurred, and I don't know why people didn't make a bigger deal of them, but I know that even a decade or two ago, people thought domestic violence should stay in the family- that it was personal business, and had nothing to do with the law.
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GoldenRatioφ (aka -girl11)
06/15/09

@Jackiewsu: Oh, and Sean Connery at least is officially boycotted in my book, what a douche.
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Cerridwen
06/15/09

@JessaFields: Exactly. Chris Brown is getting more negative attention currently because the incident was recent and extremely high-profile. And you can bet that, given time, this will fade from the public's memory and Chris Brown will continue to work with very little social scorn, just as these white men did.
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gerbilsoutofexile...is cheap and easy
06/15/09

@goldengirl11: I refuse to see anything with Sean Connery in it. I didn't know about Josh Brolin or Sean Penn, though the latter is such a douchewad I avoid his movies on a regular basis.
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Hana Maru, used up old slutbag on the pole
06/15/09

@Jackiewsu: Add to the list: William Hurt, Robert Downey Jr., Nick Carter, Big Pun, Mickey Rourke(lost his career for reasons entirely unrelated to his beating of model Carre Otis)
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Hana Maru, used up old slutbag on the pole
06/15/09

@gerbilsoutofexile...is cheap and easy: Sean Penn beat his wife Robin Wright, and before that MADONNA.
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Evie Havok
06/15/09

@Hana Maru: Big Pun's been dead for like ten years. He's way before my time and I don't think people remember him that much.
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Jackiewsu
06/15/09

@Hana Maru: "Add to the list: William Hurt, Robert Downey Jr., Nick Carter, Big Pun, Mickey Rourke(lost his career for reasons entirely unrelated to his beating of model Carre Otis)"

Exactly more examples of people who haven't received the same rage and scrutiny as Chris Brown. I remember the Nick Carter incident and it wasn't very long ago.
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Sister Toldja
06/15/09

@Hana Maru: And Biggie? And Tupac? And Puffy? We all know about Pac's rape case (he admitted that he let that girl get attacked and didn't defend her because "that would be like making her (his) girlfriend" and there are stories about the other three hitting their women. BIG even rapped about it.
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Hana Maru, used up old slutbag on the pole
06/16/09

@Jackiewsu: Well, there seems to be a bigger backlash against anyone who would hold CB accountable. So many artists and fans are ardently supporting him because they're so concerned that this will hurt his career. It's too early to say that he'll be blacklisted, and I doubt it's even going to happen.
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Hana Maru, used up old slutbag on the pole
06/16/09

@Sister Toldja: True, all. I racked my brain trying to think of the list I did come up with, I guess because all these guys just come back from the horrible things they do to women. Interviewers in a few years won't be asking Chris about it.
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ihateyourescalade
06/15/09

In reply to Why Is Mary J. Blige Working With Chris Brown?
Also, I think Kanye already recorded that song.
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lauraholtsteele
06/15/09

In reply to Why Is Mary J. Blige Working With Chris Brown?
If true, maybe MJB's seeing that there's a difference b/w working with an alleged abuser, and wanting to be personal friends, boyfriend/girlfriend, with him, etc. I don't think that I see anyone who would want to work with him as actually *endorsing* him or his behavior.
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mepo - Robert Cornhole invented it
06/15/09

@lauraholtsteele: Well in this case she's his business/music partner and that I'm afraid is an endorsement to many (including me). She is actively supporting him through this endeavor particularly as it seems to be his first outing since the crime took place.
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Sister Toldja
06/15/09

In reply to Why Is Mary J. Blige Working With Chris Brown?
Well, I think Mary may have some insight as an industry person that we don't, regarding the nature of the CB/Rihanna relationship. I've heard myself (before and after the beating) that Rihanna was a violent girl and hit Chris all the time. Maybe he has spoken to Mary and discussed his plans for healing and she feels that he is okay to work with. I don't know if this young man should be blacklisted forever for something he did at 19, even though I know it would be quite a while before I'd purchase another of his records.

Interestingly enough, MJB's stepdaughter (who is about 19 or so) recently punched a young rapper who is her on again/off again in the face after he referred to her having an abortion in a freestyle battle. When I saw the tape, I totally understood and prolly would have done the same. But I also know that feeds into the "it's okay to hit boys" madness, which I don't agree with. I guess I am trying to say that if I am a hypocrite, it's not impossible that MJB is as well.
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Hana Maru, used up old slutbag on the pole
06/15/09

@Sister Toldja: Yes, there are a lot of rumors swirling that she's a feisty island girl, that she was herself violent, that she gave him an STD, or dared him to hit her. You have your pick of ways to blame her for what he did. CB really will not be blacklisted forever, but I'm sure he appreciates your concern. There's no precedent of any famous man of any age or race who has not bounced back from their partner violence scandals. There are far too many fans and fellow artists who continue to support him and look for ways to blame her.
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Andalucía
06/15/09

@Sister Toldja: The photos say it all. She was beat the hell up while the only bruises seemed to be on his knuckles. So even if she smacked him, which I doubt, he didn't defend himself, he attacked her. He got out of the damn car to chase her.

Defensive violence isn't wrong, but aggressive violence is. The hell he was just defending himself against some slight woman.

And yes, we can acknowledge that there is a huge gap in size between most men and women. If there wasn't, pro athletes, regardless of gender, would be playing against each other instead of being segregated by it. Honestly, if men hear of a woman taking a man on in any sport, they'd usually laugh because it's basically no contest and yet so many men will be, like, "Well, I'm sure she was violent, too" to excuse a damn beatdown.
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Andalucía
06/15/09

@Andalucía: Edit: I meant to say: "She was beat the hell up while the only bruises on him seemed to be on his knuckles."
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Sister Toldja
06/15/09

@Andalucía: We negate the toll that our violence can have on men, simply because we are not usually capable of physically hurting men as much as they are of hurting us. Being struck by someone who is supposed to "love" or care about you can be emotionially violent even if it's not physically damaging. And I think it's sexist to assume that a male is supposed to be inherently capable of better restraint and behavior because he is a male.

I think both of them are messed up young folks who need some serious therapy. And I don't think either of them will get the help they need because of their fame and access. Women will date CB, men will continue to date Rihanna and the industry will support them so long as they are financially bankable. I think they only way they could get the help they need is if their peers and fans withheld support until they did. But folks enable celebs constantly.

So I DO understand why it seems odd that MJB of all folks would support him and I really want to believe that her working with him means that he is working on himself. But I can also name a laundry list of male artists with daughters who worked with R.Kelly after the rape tape dropped....
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morninggloria
06/15/09

In reply to Why Is Mary J. Blige Working With Chris Brown?
I'm trying to think of a way for Brown to possibly redeem himself to the public. Is there a way?
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Penny
06/15/09

@morninggloria: Yeah, never beat a woman again. So, he won't be redeemed until he's dead. Oh well.
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Santos L Halper
06/15/09

@morninggloria: Killing a puppy on live TV might be a step up for him.
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ShanaElmsford
06/15/09

@morninggloria: He could also apologize and admit what he did in a real, genuine manner.
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morninggloria
06/15/09

@ShanaElmsford: "I'm sorry if anyone was offended...."

Like that?
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EkaterinaBallerina
06/15/09

@morninggloria: Yeah apologize for one thing. Make amends. Anything above the disgusting way he's been acting. I know he's "young" but is anyone, ANYONE, telling him that the way he's acting is childish and offensive? He's not accused of just hitting his girlfriend, he's accused of beating her to a pulp and biting her. That level of anger, he needs help. And by appearances, he's getting none.
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GoldenRatioφ (aka -girl11)
06/15/09

@ShanaElmsford: Yeah, I was watching the Lakers game last night, and not being an NBA fan, couldn't remember whatever came of the Kobe Bryant rape case. I wikipediaed it (yes, during the game), and read his later statement/apology (not "the only thing I did wrong was commit adultery" statement). The statement managed to convince me that he realized he had sexually assaulted the woman, felt sorry for it, and still provided an explanation as to how he could even have done such a horrible thing in the first place. Of course, it could have been entirely insincere, but I guess there is a certain point where maybe you just have move on from it. But Chris Brown has definitely failed to release any statement that could make me feel even the slightest bit less disgusted with him.
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Sputnik_Sweetheart
06/15/09

In reply to Why Is Mary J. Blige Working With Chris Brown?
I clicked on the picture of Chris Brown at the NBA finals and if I had doubt that he is a complete scumbag, I don't anymore. It kills me that he is getting a free pass. I wish more of his peers would stand up to him.
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morninggloria
06/15/09

@Sputnik_Sweetheart: He's got such a shit eating grin.
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thequeenofstartingover
06/15/09

@Sputnik_Sweetheart: Rapper Eve called Chris out on Twitter, during the whole "I'm Not A Monster" brigade. She said everything that everybody wanted to say, but was afraid to. She's my new hero.
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Sputnik_Sweetheart
06/15/09

@thequeenofstartingover: I believe that was fake. Her reps called up E! to say that Eve doesn't have a Twitter account. I know, it disappointed me too.
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That-Dude
06/15/09

@Sputnik_Sweetheart: So, what exactly is the problem? The fact that he is at an NBA game?
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Sputnik_Sweetheart
06/15/09

@That-Dude: From the article:

"Just last night, Brown may have openly mocked Rihanna by attending an NBA finals game with a woman who some say was dressed up as the pop star."
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Penny
06/15/09

In reply to Why Is Mary J. Blige Working With Chris Brown?
To look at this from a different perspective, and this is not my voicing support for Brown in any way, but he's not going anywhere. He's 19 and he's going to be around for a long time. Maybe he could benefit from some time spent with a strong woman?
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kkatt
06/15/09

In reply to Why Is Mary J. Blige Working With Chris Brown?
"before they start killing the next person" interesting choice of words Mary J - what gives?
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Sister Toldja
06/15/09

@kkatt: She's not particularly eloquent.
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Penny
06/15/09

In reply to Why Is Mary J. Blige Working With Chris Brown?
I think her experiences allow her to greatly empathize, with both sides, perhaps more than others.

I just love her, god, that voice. On a side note, I've met her, and she scared the shit out of me.
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Lana Leigh loves Meryl Streep
06/15/09

@Penny: LOL why did she scare you?
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Penny
06/15/09

@Lana Leigh loves Meryl Streep: She's just a really intense force. Scared in a good way :-)
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MizJenkins
06/15/09

@Penny: VERY intense. I met eyes with her once briefly and found myself questioning whether I had the right to exist.
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