Unveiling the misconceptions, a look at Rihanna

Nov, 13 2009
By elinstebbinswaldal
Advocacy, Blog, Parenting, Women's Issues
No comments

I am dumbfounded by the impression that has been embedded in people’s minds regarding Rihanna, the consensus appears to be that she is using her experience as a ‘marketing tool to sell records’. She has been criticised for ‘remaining silent’ and last and most disturbing are comments that state that Rihanna herself ‘asked for it’ or ‘provoked it’ or ‘brought it on herself’.

No one wants to be, or asks to be, physically and emotionally abused, it is the most humiliating experience imaginable and for many, living inside of an abusive relationship is a form of incarceration, it was for me. And to add insult to injury Rihanna is a celebrity which means the whole world is casting their opinion out loud about her personal and excruciating relationship.

Anyone who has taken the time to educate themselves on the subject of domestic violence would understand that we must unveil all the misconceptions the first of which is to stop blaming the victim.

Fort Hood, the silence is deafening.

Along with the rest of the country I am deeply saddened and disturbed by the tragic massacre that took place at Fort Hood. The many articles that have been spawned since this heinous act remind me how as a nation we do things backwards: responding to crisis versus effectively working on prevention.

Now that the veil of silence has been lifted from this military community we learn of the numerous suicides that have occurred there, the countless acts of domestic violence, and the understaffed overworked individuals who are attempting to help.

A tragedy that screams to the public “THIS IS ONE OF THE MANY COSTS OF WAR” sighting post-traumatic-stress-syndrome as a very real condition and the many men and women who suffer from it.

reflections from the article: http://bit.ly/kQnos

When this was my life ‘movie’, I had no voice.

After previewing this video I am drawn backward, apart from the fact that I was never an actress… this film rolling before my eyes could be me, could be anyone who has been trapped in the paradigm called abuse. I am painfully reminded that I have a daughter now and little else but preventing that kind of assault on her future occupies me right now.

World Health Organization Study

The World Health Organization, after conducting an extensive Multi-country Study on Women’s Health and Domestic Violence against Women, concluded that violence against women is widespread and demands a public health response. Along with being disturbing, and heart breaking, the statistics in this report are staggering. There is not a gesture too small in creating awareness around the issue of abuse.

http://bit.ly/23f6YZ

Why We Must Teach Boys

I agree wholeheartily with Raina Kelley in her article ‘Why We Must Teach Boys’ it is imperative that preventing abuse starts with teaching. All children need tools to grab onto to help them navigate, be kind, make good choices. We live in an era where there are a myriad of messages being sent to young people and as parents, teachers, coaches, aunts, uncles, friends to our youth we need to start sending clearer messages.

Raina writes “Surely, there must be a way to educate boys about violence outside of just repeating the mantra “Never, ever, hit a woman.” I don’t think that’s working”, no it isn’t. she continues to underscore the value of teaching respect. We teach by modeling, treating first our own children with respect and second by holding them accountable when they don’t act in kind. Kudos to Raina Kelley for speaking out on this subject!

http://bit.ly/34sa5C