I’ve been really disappointed by the way a lot of celebrities have handled the Chris Brown/Rihanna issue. So many of them are wishy-washy and pandering to the masses with statements about how they’re praying for both of them, how we don’t know what goes on in their relationship, and making statements about how Chris Brown is young and can change.
I was especially disappointed in Usher, who originally lightly criticized Brown for not showing any remorse. Then he backtracked and gave a generic “whoops” with comments about wishing the best for everyone involved. God forbid a celebrity actually take a clear stand against Brown.
While Nick Cannon did echo a lot of those trite comments to Radar recently, he also made it clear that there’s never an excuse to hit a woman.
Radar: I just want to know if you have any thoughts on Chris Brown and Rihanna.
Nick Cannon: It’s an unfortunate situation, I’m praying for the both of them, that’s all I can do.
Radar: Are you friends with either of them? Do you know them or have you worked with them?
Nick Cannon: I know both of them pretty well, actually, you know, I know Rihanna a little bit better than I know Chris, and you know, it’s a sad situation. You know, it was devastating to hear what happened, to see what happened, and you know, like I said, it’s unacceptable to ever put your hands on a woman, so you know, we all do things that we end up having to pay the consequences for… [interrupted by interviewer]
Radar: So you think him being charged, even though Rihanna didn’t want to, and apparently they’re back together…
Nick Cannon: Yeah, I don’t know their personal life and I don’t really get into it like that, but I know there’s no reason to ever put your hands on a woman.
[From Radar]
You can see the video of the interview at Radar’s site through the link above.
I especially appreciate how Cannon ended his thoughts on the matter, making it clear that there’s no excuse for what Brown did. Obviously none of us know the specifics of the couple’s relationship. I don’t understand why people keep saying this. It’s like stating the sky is blue; it’s such an obvious fact. And it doesn’t relate, because it doesn’t excuse anything.
I don’t know anything about Nick, and I try to pretend like after the “Hero” album, Mariah Carey disappeared, so that I can remember her in that light instead of in Apsen with fuzzy boots on and clothes that are too small, but he just seems clean-cut to me. Of course, so did Chris Brown, and he turned out to be a monster.
Funny that it took a little boy on a leash to be a real man and step up and say that.
I think this is the first time I agree w/ Nick Cannon. Even though Mariah probably made him say it, its still nice to hear a man say its NOT OK!
Even though he as well comes off a little wishy-washy too, at least he highlights the most important point that is “there’s no reason to ever put your hands on a woman” and for that I applaud him. I know that it is hard for celebrities to talk about someones else’s relationship publicly but it would not have killed them to just emphasized just that “there’s no reason to ever put your hands on a woman” so they put the message across that domestic violence is NEVER acceptable, without getting too detailed about the Rihanna/ Chris situation if they don’t want to. JEEZ.
I just gained a little respect for this guy. He went from Mimi’s manchild to Intelligent Husband of Mimi
FINALLY!!
^^^^Yeah, at least Nick still has a brain. Glad he’s still the Nick Cannon I know and love. I adored his part in Drumline and his show Wild and Out was hilarious.
Three things,,,were you getting paid by the “you know” in that interview,,,love that sport coat,,where did mommy Mariah buy it,,,and finally, if the man married to Mariah Carey says you don’t have to keep the pimp hand strong, then you should listen because he would know.
I don’t know. Am I going to get pounced on for saying, “there’s never a reason to hit ANYBODY.” Non-violence unless it’s self defense. Period.
I’m a woman, and I don’t want to get hit, but it just seems so sexist to me for some reason so say men should never hit a woman. Men AND women just need to grow the hell up and walk away whether you have a pe*is or not.
No you aren’t going to get pounced on for speaking the truth Zoe.
We’ll see if he says the same thing after being married to Mariah for a year.
Its not a bad thing to say, Zoe, I think people’s perceptions just get focused on the man hitting woman thing because it seems so one sided. Truth be told, its never ok to physically lash out at a person because you’re upset, no matter what you feel they’ve done to “deserve” it.
Amen Zoe! It’s a sad fact that many guys out there are abused by their significant others too but it’s rarely talked about in the media or in society.
It’s almost like people think it’s acceptable for a woman to hit a man if he ‘deserves’ it. And that is sad! And sexist.
I wouldn’t accept being hit by my man even once but I certainly wouldn’t hit him either – ever!
I think I like this guy! Finally a man with the balls to stand up and say what is right!!! Funny that it should come from Nick, who we think of as Mariah’s “lap dog”!
Oh and as someone pointed out, now that we all agree that domestic violence is bullshit, can we please now ban Mickey Rourke, Sean Penn, and Josh Brolin? All woman beaters.
wow nick cannon grew balls and became a man. nicely put
Ilove chris brown i totally support him no matter what i am a huge fan and i hope all goes well for him!
nick cannon certainly earned my respect. just don’t back peddle. everyone else needs to follow suit & man up.
@Sandra- You should be ashamed of yourself.
I’ve always liked Nick Cannon. Loved him in Drumline, too. Yes, props to him for saying what he did about Brown. I’d also like to say that I never understood people (women, too) putting him down for marrying Mariah. Does the man always have to be the more successful one in the relationship? Maybe he just has a secure ego and is proud of his wife for her talent and success. I know it’s a novel idea, but a man doesn’t have to feel belittled by his wife’s greater fame/achievements. I wouldn’t want a man who resented my success anyway. How lame and selfish. Plus he’s cute as hell. Lucky Mariah.
kudos Zoe….I just went to a work related forum about how male abuse victims are way under reported. Its not cool to hit anyone in a relationship etc…
I think Nick Cannon seems very sweet. He seems to look after Mariah, and that’s cute. I like a man who stands up for women too, but lets just hope he doesn’t take it back like all the other guys have! (USHER!)
@Holly.. Wow! Didn’t know that about Mickey Rourke, he seemed so gentle with his dogs I never would have thought! That’s a shame. And I knew Sean Penn was an a-hole but I didn’t know he was a woman beater. Damn… I was just starting to like him for standing up for gay rights too. Hrmph!
@Sandra… Please invest your time into acquiring a sense of self-worth because any woman who thinks it’s okay to beat women must be lacking in that department.
@ Zoe, I completely agree with you, it is never okay to hit ANYONE but I do kind of think it is a tad worse when men hit women simply because {most} men are bigger & stronger than women, therefore able to cause more damage, a woman can’t defend herself as easily against a man. Same as if any adult hits a child or an animal… its just wrong. I have to say though I am a little disapointed at some of the reactions to this whole Chrihanna business, people saying she deserved it etc… its depressing 🙁
At last! Let’s hope he doesn’t back peddle like Usher did. I was so disappointed in that. It seems Usher’s apology for speaking out was more sincere than Chris’ “apology” for hitting his girlfriend.
Loved the comment. Yes Cannon’s value jumped a number of degrees on the respect scale.
Just walk away boys, just walk away no hitting or vile comments needed just walk away. As for the women caught in abusive relationships been there done that and it’s not worth the phyisical and emotional pain. We have choices and make the choice to protect yourselves and leave. The chances of successful treatment for abusers is dismal at best.
Is Sean Penn really a woman beater?! Ugh – more reason not to like him.
I give him credit for speaking up whereas all the other male celebrities hid in a corner sucking their thumbs. Guess they’re scared someone might start looking into their “questionable” behavior. 2009 is going to be the year of KARMA.
Good point Zoe.
Made me think a little – like, I’ll get a little physical with my husband sometimes (i.e. give him a gentle punch on the shoulder if he won’t stop making fun of me – I’m 8 months pregnant and get aggravated very easily these days!) but he would NEVER, ever do that to me, even lightly & just goofing around. I know I’m not hurting him at ALL (he’s 6’4″ and knows several types of martial arts) but it’s still a double standard in a relationship where we try to b modern and equal. I’ll think before play-fighting next time!
Oh yeah, and good on Nick Cannon. Sounds like a secure, mature person.
Excellent point, Zoe.
I actually slapped my ex a couple of times really hard when we were play fighting. And I feel what I did was wrong. And I certainly wouldn’t want it done to me either (and no, he never hit me back).
Putting your hands on anyone is wrong, period.
And to Sandra, two words: GROW UP!
Thank you, Nick Cannon.
i don’t know Nick Cannon except he was the puppy husband of Mariah Carey! Now i know he’s a decent guy and also clever! never hit child or woman!
Regarding Sean Penn, there have been some stories that he allegedly hit Madonna when they were married. There’s also the story that she finally divorced him because he tied her to a chair around Thanksgiving. Allegedly.
i agree with nick cannon! there is no reason for a man to hit a woman1 but there is men out here that makes that fucked up choice and that does just that. chris brown needs counseling and he needs to understand wat he did is wrong! and rhianna needs to know that slappin him in the face was wrong also!
Since becoming a lawyer not only have i become more cynical but I have also developed a disdain for the media and their affect on the common public. Despite what conventional society thinks, as mentioned, it is wrong to hit, period! Unfortunately, people are careless with their words and all we hear about is how it is wrong for men to hit women. This implicitly sends a message to young women and girls alike that I can hit a man and under no circumstances should he hit me back. This is irresponsible because a lot of men may not subscribe to the theory that men shouldn’t hit women and may actually hit them back. And its not a sex issue but a size issue. B/c some women are bigger than some men and could cause serious injury. I think Zoe and her supporters are correct – let’s not hit anyone. The law doesn’t distinguish between sexes in assault/battery cases (it does for rape, however). I as a man would appreciate it if the discussion focused on no one hitting no one. All human life is important and there shouldn’t be a distinction based on size. BTW, when the military tried these same arguments as to why women shouldn’t be in combat, feminist were in an uproar and argued that they could be just as physical as men.
@J. Ferber – I have no idea why people make fun of Cannon so much either. There’s no reason he needs to be the older and economically dominant one for us to take the relationship seriously, and the jokes about Mariah being behind his statement are unwelcome as well. Can’t we just agree he’s one the “celebrity with the most spine” during this whole thing?
I once had a mature (35+) woman tell me that she (and women) don’t mind a hit/some light manhandling rarely. (*NOT* abuse or brutality or a beating.) I looked at her blankly in awe. She was serious.
But then you see so many movies from the 40’s and 50s where the women get slapped. I know… slapped.. not brutalised. But still… definitely not politically correct nowadays.
Women always say they are looking for a GOOD man. But yet they IGNORE so many good men courting them and go for the bad boys, who statistically are less likely to treat them right.
Examples:
Pamela Anderson + Kid Rock, Tommy Lee
Shannon Tweed + Gene Simmons
and everyone’s favourite girl-next-door:
Sandra Bullock + Jesse James of Monster Garage
So after lots of observation, I reckon few women are really sincere about what they really want… especially that part about the good/nice guy.
Have you noticed that for a woman, if a guy is rich or has power he becomes sexier?
Anyway… to each her/his own.
Thank you, Zoe.
I still think the simple difference about men hitting women and women hitting men is that in 99% of the cases the pure physical force that CAN be used is so different. I’m tall (5′ 11”), but slim and God knows I would have never ever been physically able to beat up a single one of the men I have been with. Not that I’d have the psychological ability to beat someone up, bang their head against a window and God knows what, but I don’t even have it on a pure physical level. And I guess that’s why people treat it differently: because in most cases, a man would have the physical ability to defend himself against a woman attacking him, while in most cases the women don’t stand any chance against their attacker.
Good for Nick! I don’t support abuse of any kind but if I was the radio stations I would stop playing her songs and his to show them that we the people would not allow abuse no matter what. I would stop playing her music for going back to him. And I will stop playing his music because he’s a monster.
Thank you Holly. Those men all were nominated for academy awards, and Penn won, and nobody condemned their behavior.
I’m African American. I’m disgusted by Brown and think he belongs in jail for what he did. I’m glad to hear another African American other than Oprah stand up and say that what he did was wrong.
But one of the reasons white people are taking a stand against Brown is because he’s black. When white male celebs beat up women, most white people say absolutely nothing.
It’s wrong no matter WHO does it.
I’m a feminist, but I do think we need to be realistic about the impact of physical violence. When a woman hits a man, she is less likely to do major and lasting physical damage than when a man hits woman. Psychologically, they are both equally horrible. Physically, a man hitting a woman is usually more dangerous. Rihanna may have slapped Brown. She didn’t physically damage him. Meanwhile, Brown bit her, choked her, and punched her, and she just wasn’t strong enough to defend herself. I think there’s a difference.
Tammie:
Why do you want the radio to boycott HER songs? You’re making it sound like they are both equally guilty! First she gets beaten, bitten, and choked nearly to death and now you want her to be boycotted as well? If she’s taking him back it’s because she’s young and confused, not vicious like Brown.
I don’t understand this distinction being made between a man hitting a woman and vice versa. Just because a man may be able to defend himself better against a woman doesn’t mean that its o.k. I am a man and I don’t care who it is I don’t want anyone hitting me. And for women to think it is o.k. (or not “as wrong”) to hit men because we are bigger is – i’m sorry – just plain stupid! That is like saying, “It was o.k. for terrorist to bomb the U.S. on 9/11 because we are a much bigger country and we can defend ourselves better against a “little small attack” from “lil ol’ terrorists.” Although the example may be extreme it goes to the ridiculous logic that is being said here. Why can’t we just say, “hitting is wrong”? We all should learn to control ourselves; not just men.
Who cares why people treat it differently. It doesn’t matter people should stop hitting each other. It doesn’t make the act less wrong because a woman hit a man. Sure the amount of injury may be less severe but that doesn’t change the fact that the essence of the act is wrong. Stop making excuses for why it is right for women to hit men. Men who hit women are childish and need to grow up. And women who think it is o.k to hit men just because they are women, are just as childish. We are all equal. I’m shocked to hear so many women thinking it is o.k. to physically harm another human being body. As much as women don’t like anyone to tell them what to do with their bodies’ and wish for their bodies to be respected. Let’s respect all human life and have equal protection and rights for everyone.
Rihanna is an abuser
Rihanna hit Chris first…why aren’t mad at her?
Why didn’t you lose respect for Rihanna?
Why aren’t you judging Rihanna?
I’ll tell you why; feminist society has trained you to pity women…even when they’re abusers
Rihanna should be in jail for assaulting Chris
Rihanna should be held accountable…Why isn’t she?
As far as “he hit her so bad!”…no he didn’t
Most of that in the pic is swelling and looks 10x worse than it will the next day when the swelling goes down
first thing first i hate any man who abuses a woman no matter how angry you get there’s not need for abuse i’ve always love Chris & Rihanna a lot but when all this happened i was angry and kept asking why? what happened?may is for the best that they didn’t get bck together it would have been suicide lets jst pray that they both learned something from this disaster.