In her latest music video Man Down, singer Rihanna publicly shoots a man who sexually assaulted her. Now advocacy groups such as the Parents’ Television Council are calling for the video to not be shown on BET because it sends dangerous and violent messages to young viewers.
What follows is the familiar debate on censorship and the age-old question: Do artists have a greater responsibility to their art or to their audience?
Rihanna obviously has young fans and opponents of the video are wondering what kind of influence it might have on these young people. (Assuming of course, that people go out and reenact scenes from music videos or film and television programs.)
Another issue is the gender double standard that holds stronger penalties for male violence against women. Whereas in Man Down, many viewers possibly dismiss the video as a case of he got what he deserved, if a male musician made a video where he shot a woman in cold blood, would there be a different reaction?
The lyrics show that the attack was deliberate and premeditated.
It’s a 22, I call her Peggy Sue
When she fits right down in my shoes
What do you expect me to do
If you’re playing me for a fool
I will lose my cool
And reach for my fire arm
But, she also seems remorseful…
I didn’t mean to lay him down
But it’s too late to turn back now
Don’t know what I was thinking
Now he’s no longer living
So I’m ’bout to leave town‘Cause I didn’t mean to hurt him
Could’ve been somebody’s son
And I took his heart when
I pulled out that gun
Watch the video and weigh in your thoughts below.
“Could’ve been somebody’s son”? what the f*ck kinda statement is that?
Is she mental?
Shoot the m*zaf*cker if he trynna rape you! Shoot’m in pubic for goodness sake… set the example. Can’t go around assaulting black women.
If mi kwaan lock me hose-off, shoot me! Huahuahuah.