The last few weeks have had a number of juicy stories that I wish I had the time to get into. Someday soon, I hope to be back on track. For the moment, though, I am going for low hanging fruit.
Today’s mango is the flap over the video by Rihanna. I will begin by saying that I have never watched more than 30 seconds of any Rihanna video, and that is not a comment on her talents. I simply do not care for that genre of music. (It's okay, Rihanna probably doesn’t care for bluegrass. Has she ever used a banjo or harmonica in one of her songs?) Anyway, CNN showed the opening—pre-music—seconds of the video. The singer is sober looking and watching a man walk away from her. Then, her hand lifts a lady-size revolver and fires a shot. From the angles shown in the video it is unclear how she was able to hit him, but blood spurts from his back, and the man topples over. Presumably the music starts then.
Two groups: the Parents Television Council and Industry Ears have condemned the video. No matter that the shooting seems to be the resolution of an abusive situation. Pastor Delman Coates—whoever he is—has joined in the condemnation.
They should know that songs about murder have a long history. Is there anyone who can’t warble a chorus of Frankie and Johnnie? Her gun went rootie-toot-toot because Johnnie done her wrong. That’s where the controversy should stay. Murders, real and imaginary, have always been the inspiration for songs.
Rihanna has been the victim of very public physical abuse by her boyfriend, Chris Brown. She certainly deserves to work out her demons in a video if she wishes. God bless her.
Where I do have a criticism is with her defence of the video. She said or tweeted, "U can't hide your kids from society, or they'll never learn how to adapt! This is the REAL WORLD!" What she says is true enough, but she is talking about a music video. Music videos are not society, and they sure ain’t the “real world.” Rihanna, please, defend your right to artistic expression and I will be right beside you—figuratively speaking. (I have no interest in traveling to California--which I recall as being a very nice state, but I’ve been there already.) But, to continue my point, please do not defend a music video—any music video—as being true to life. I have yet to see one that comes within driving distance.
Meanwhile, for the groups making claims on the high moral ground, why no comment on the plight of Eman al-Obeidy? She’s the woman who said she was gang-raped by Moammar Gadhafi’s security forces, and was then arrested as she appealed to Western reporters for help. She finally escaped from Libya and went to Qatar. Now, she has been deported back to Libya, allegedly after Qatari police beat and handcuffed her. Why doesn’t Pastor Coates offer to sponsor her immigration, so she can find haven in a country so safe that we even protect her from the theatrical violence of music videos?
