Rihanna Controversy: "Man Down Video"

[Dr. Cheese]

Rihanna Man Down Video: Controversy Masks Important Message

I thought this was a pretty cool essay. The video is cool too. I think the message that a "sexy" girl needs to be respected too is important.

[nutdog]

In aviation, there is a rule that says when two aircraft are on converging paths, the one on the right has the right of way and the other must give way. I would always ask my students, if this were happening and you saw another aircraft to your left, would you rely on the other aircraft to give way or take action to avoid the collision yourself?

Of course, you wouldn't insist on your right of way and continue into a collision. You would turn to avoid it. Or, you could continue and then, as you're falling toward the earth, take solace knowing you were right.

This is how I explain it to my daughter. Yes, she has the right to prance around in sexy clothing and flaunt her assets. Yes, men don't have the right to expect anything. But if she comes across a man the that doesn't follow the rules and has put herself in a situation that will allow him to break the rules without witnesses, it doesn't really matter who was right. She will suffer.

Should I be able to leave my car unlocked? Should I be able to carry lots of cash in my pocket? Yes. Do I? No. Should people lie? Steal? Cheat? Assault? No. Do they? Yes.

Does this mean a sexy woman out alone that dances suggestively in scanty clothing is asking to be raped and deserves it? No. Does it increase the chances she will be raped? Yes. After the fact, will it matter?

[dj150888]

The first article I've come across on The Root that I don't think is remotely sensationalized or, at least on the surface, agenda-ridden. Its nice to see.

I see no problem with the video.

[Dr. Cheese]

Originally Posted by dj150888

The first article I've come across on The Root that I don't think is remotely sensationalized or, at least on the surface, agenda-ridden. Its nice to see.

I see no problem with the video.

How much do you read The Root? There are some nice articles on that site. I usually post rehashes of local controversies, many of the deeper articles are stuff that just doesn't get much response here. For example, I recently posted an essay by the Vice President of Ghana about how would Fela see contemporary Africa, and it only got one reply.

[Dr. Cheese]

Originally Posted by nutdog

In aviation, there is a rule that says when two aircraft are on converging paths, the one on the right has the right of way and the other must give way. I would always ask my students, if this were happening and you saw another aircraft to your left, would you rely on the other aircraft to give way or take action to avoid the collision yourself?

Of course, you wouldn't insist on your right of way and continue into a collision. You would turn to avoid it. Or, you could continue and then, as you're falling toward the earth, take solace knowing you were right.

This is how I explain it to my daughter. Yes, she has the right to prance around in sexy clothing and flaunt her assets. Yes, men don't have the right to expect anything. But if she comes across a man the that doesn't follow the rules and has put herself in a situation that will allow him to break the rules without witnesses, it doesn't really matter who was right. She will suffer.

Should I be able to leave my car unlocked? Should I be able to carry lots of cash in my pocket? Yes. Do I? No. Should people lie? Steal? Cheat? Assault? No. Do they? Yes.

Does this mean a sexy woman out alone that dances suggestively in scanty clothing is asking to be raped and deserves it? No. Does it increase the chances she will be raped? Yes. After the fact, will it matter?

I think situation awareness is much more important than clothing choices. A woman alone with the wrong man is under the threat of being raped if she is topless with a thong or wearing a full burkha.

You mentioned leaving your car unlocked, and being robbed. The difference between the car being robbed and a woman in sexy clothing being raped is that no one will say that the person who failed to lock the car really wanted to be robbed.

[Phendyr_Loon]

Ok so she's condoning murder as revenge for rape? I'm certainly opposed to rape, but the idea of taking matters into your own hands in an attempt to fix violence with violence is wrong.
I'm sure no too many girls who were raped are going to watch her video then go out and shoot their offender, but as a mainstream pop star she is a role model to a very suggestible demograph. She is responsible for how she dresses and how she conducts herself in her videos, on stage and in public.

[Dr. Cheese]

Originally Posted by Phendyr_Loon

Ok so she's condoning murder as revenge for rape? I'm certainly opposed to rape, but the idea of taking matters into your own hands in an attempt to fix violence with violence is wrong.
I'm sure no too many girls who were raped are going to watch her video then go out and shoot their offender, but as a mainstream pop star she is a role model to a very suggestible demograph. She is responsible for how she dresses and how she conducts herself in her videos, on stage and in public.

Popular regularly views male revenge fantasies as entertainment with no criticism or hand wringing. Why can't we do that for a woman?

[dj150888]

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

How much do you read The Root? There are some nice articles on that site. I usually post rehashes of local controversies, many of the deeper articles are stuff that just doesn't get much response here. For example, I recently posted an essay by the Vice President of Ghana about how would Fela see contemporary Africa, and it only got one reply.

I don't regularly read The Root, I don't believe I'm part of their demographic. The total of my experience with the site is through threads you've started on here. Its not a criticism of the site, or you, its just my experience of the site so far. I missed that thread, not because I chose to overlook it, merely because I didn't see it.

[Joey3313]

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

You mentioned leaving your car unlocked, and being robbed. The difference between the car being robbed and a woman in sexy clothing being raped is that no one will say that the person who failed to lock the car really wanted to be robbed.

Yeah, I do hear people say that. If I mention I got my car robbed and that I left it unlocked, everyone I know will tell me that I kinda had it coming. Just sayin'.

[Dr. Cheese]

Originally Posted by Joey3313

Yeah, I do hear people say that. If I mention I got my car robbed and that I left it unlocked, everyone I know will tell me that I kinda had it coming. Just sayin'.

Saying you had it coming is differrent from saying that you were looking for it.

[EBodious]

i don't lock my car. i pretty convinced nobody is going to steal it (it's value practically doubles when i fill the gas tank). however, if someone did take it, and they were caught, nobody would argue in court that the criminal be let go cause i should have seen it coming!

that this happens with rape is disturbing and speaks (IMHO) to deeper social (i.e. gender) issues.

[bassbrad]

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

Saying you had it coming is differrent from saying that you were looking for it.

No I think the point is about situational or behavioral awareness, if you are going to dress like a floozy don't get in situations where you are alone with a potential rapist or if you leave your bass in the car be sure to lock it and perhaps cover it up.

[Kwesi]

I'm genuinely surprised that I don't see nearly unanimous outright agreement with the article. I am not a fan of Rihanna and were the article never posted I would have never known but the point that it's trying to get across is dead on. "Rape is not justifiable." Sure it sounds simple, but it explores the topic and how, so often, people are quick to try and shift as least some of the blame onto the victim and it should never be that way. Regardless of the situation it's not ok and never will be.

[EBodious]

no, i think the point is the racial wedge that the root can't help but slip into the subtext of this story!








i guess i'm due to post in the apology thread... again....

[Kwesi]

Originally Posted by EBodious

no, i think the point is the racial wedge that the root can't help but slip into the subtext of this story!








i guess i'm due to post in the apology thread... again....

I'm honestly not seeing any of that in this story. Sure you're not just reading too far into it?

[Dr. Cheese]

Originally Posted by Kwesi

I'm honestly not seeing any of that in this story. Sure you're not just reading too far into it?

I think he's joking, Kwesi.

[AmazingGracePlayer]

I just want to say that even if Rihanna were the only girl in the world, I still would not listen to her music.

[EBodious]

at least, trying...


i will work on my timing.

[Kwesi]

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

I think he's joking, Kwesi.

Oi! You'd figure as much time as I spend on the internet my sarcasm detector would be 110% effective. I guess not

[slaps76]

I don't know what's so controversial about that video, other than someone getting shot in the head. Beyond that...girl gets raped, girl gets revenge. Nothing controversial to me about that. The pussification of America continues...everything is too edgy now, in some ways I think we're going backwards.