Rihanna Inspires Tyra and Oprah to Take on Dating Violence

Today, both Oprah Winfrey and Tyra Banks dedicated their talk shows to dating violence after being inspired by the events leading up to and following the alleged assault of Rihanna by her boyfriend, Chris Brown.  Despite being seriously battered, Rihanna has reconciled with Chris in a move that has shocked (and horrified) many people around the world.  As a wife and mother I am grateful that they are talking about this issue.  Oprah provided some sobering facts – 1 in 3 high school students have been in a violent relationship which has increased from 1 in 4 from when Oprah first started her talk show.  Those numbers are so frightening.  I cannot believe that is what is happening today with all the information and resources we have.

Kevin Frazier from Entertainment Tonight explained that he has covered Chris Brown’s career since the beginning and said something striking – away from all the glitz and glamour, Chris and Rihanna are nothing but a couple kids.  Because they are so famous, I think we all tend to forget that.

Tyra revealed that when Rihanna was a child, her parents fought a lot and she developed severe migraines.  Tyra also talked about how Chris Brown told her about the violence he witnessed in his home – it was so bad that he would wet the bed.  Tyra said that when she first heard about Rihanna being assaulted, she couldn’t believe it because of what Chris had told her during that interview.  She couldn’t believe that he was repeating the cycle.  She said that Rihanna is a victim and that, in a way, Chris is a victim of his own upbringing but that it doesn’t give him the right to put his hands on her. 

They talked to some high school students about the whole situation and I was surprised that one girl said that she had heard that Rihanna started the fight and, therefore, brought the attack on herself.  Tyra asked her if she felt Chris Brown acted in self-defense and she said “yes.”  I was bowled over by that.  She pointed to the fact that Rihanna took him back and concluded that Rihanna must feel guilty about something. 

Tyra talked about her own emotionally abusive relationship and how important it is to have a plan to get out.  She also explained that Rihanna is a normal girl, despite being very famous.  Tyra brought this up because so many people think Rihanna should be a role model for other women and believes this is unfair to the singer.  Oprah and Tyra said that Rihanna and Chris need our love and support.

What do you think of this situation?  Have you ever been in an abusive relationship?