Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: About Chris Brown

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  • Craig Ranapia, in reply to Russell Brown,

    What really makes me heart-sick about the story you linked to is this:

    Dame Tariana Turia, former co-leader of the Maori Party, also said she would support Brown's visa application. She said young people needed to relate to other young people and Maori youth would be more likely to listen to Brown on the subject of his reform than their elders.

    Yeah, and what exactly does Brown have to say to young Maori and Pasifika? If you're rich enough, and are surrounded by enablers whose own bottom lines depend on you, you don't have to face any meaningful consequences for your actions. (Actions, need I add, most people of colour will NEVER afford to lawyer up to mitigate or avoid entirely.) That if you're a celebrity you can show ZERO commitment to dealing with your painfully obvious difficulty with keeping your fists to yourself? FFS, lets not forget Frank Ocean was subject to a death threat and homophobic abuse over a parking space.

    Oh, and let's keep reminding Maori and Pasifika women and LGBT of one more way in which their lives don't really matter at all. You can never really be reminded of that too many times.

    I don't know what's more depressing about this farce: Watching women I have vast respect for squandering mana they'd almost literally taken lifetimes to accrue? Or that they did it so quickly, and for so little?

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Rosemary McDonald,

    From http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/72612740/Maori-women-support-tour-by-rapper-Chris-Brown

    Raukawa-Tait said on Thursday she had not heard Brown's music but ...

    Merepeka...trust me, the young man's a poet. Maybe not a Tuwhare, but a poet nonetheless. In his own mind...


    Seriously...this is bullshit.

    Shame on these so- called leaders.

    Cast your net closer to home ladies for a role model for Maori yoof.

    You are just perpetuating the whole " He said he was sorry...he deserves a chance. " myth.

    How many women have been buried after buying that line?

    Waikato, or on the road • Since Apr 2014 • 1346 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Barnes,

    But he can change....

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

  • izogi,

    While we’re on the topic, are young people, who are being lined up to be role-modelled at, expressing any opinions on this?

    I’m not trendy enough to know where the forums are.

    Wellington • Since Jan 2007 • 1142 posts Report Reply

  • Rosemary McDonald, in reply to Steve Barnes,

    But he can change….

    Headline...

    "Rapper Brown Demonstrates New Found Respect For Women By Removing All Works Using "Fucking", "Bitch" and "Hoes" from Public Domain!"

    Waikato, or on the road • Since Apr 2014 • 1346 posts Report Reply

  • chris, in reply to Lilith __,

    I’d challenge anyone to explain why it’s “important”.

    That’s a very good question. I initially thought it must have come down to this:

    The women also hinted that there were racial elements at play

    For example was there a whisper when Mark Wahlberg was here shooting The Lovely Bones? Though his assaults appear to have been carried out when he was a minor, but then there was also no fuss when Jay Z came to town despite the stabbing so who knows, that also doesn’t seem to have affected his ability to tour here professionally, likewise 50 Cent toured in 2008 despite his 2004 assault and battery plea deal amongst other charges.

    Subsequent to the discharge without conviction for breach of the Civil Aviation Act Jono and Ben brought Vanilla Ice to New Zealand last year despite a 1991 firearm charge and 2 previous arrests for assaulting his wife. So visibility is playing a big part here as Danielle observed.

    What’s weird about this is that both of these cases were particularly egregious (Brown’s police report – and the photos of Rihanna’s face that are out there, if you care to search for them – is just absolutely awful, and we all know the detail’s of Veitch’s assault)

    As well as Craig’s

    That if you’re a celebrity you can show ZERO commitment to dealing with your painfully obvious difficulty with keeping your fists to yourself? FFS

    Mawkland • Since Jan 2010 • 1302 posts Report Reply

  • Danielle, in reply to Rosemary McDonald,

    I don't think it's hugely helpful to use lyrics as a signifier of anything in particular, which is why I was rather less supportive of Odd Future being refused a visa. Lyrics can often be the sentiments of an adopted persona, or an expression of chutzpah or humour or a bunch of other things. His actions are what matters here.

    Charo World. Cuchi-cuchi!… • Since Nov 2006 • 3828 posts Report Reply

  • Rosemary McDonald, in reply to Danielle,

    I don’t think it’s hugely helpful to use lyrics as a signifier of anything in particular,

    I sincerely hope that holds true for the wee 5 year old having a cool (school ) day out with his Dad and his mates. You know, a few beers, couple of joints a bit o fishing and...yes you guessed it...young Chris Brown LOUD on the truck stereo.

    Kid knew ALL the words...signing along to the tune I posted earlier.

    Maybe I'm just getting old.

    Waikato, or on the road • Since Apr 2014 • 1346 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Craig Ranapia,

    I don't know what's more depressing about this farce: Watching women I have vast respect for squandering mana they'd almost literally taken lifetimes to accrue? Or that they did it so quickly, and for so little?

    Same. That Jevan chap sure knows how to charm the aunties.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    I think this is the clip I heard on RNZ Checkpoint - Raukawa-Tait's tone astounded me.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Danielle,

    I don't think it's hugely helpful to use lyrics as a signifier of anything in particular, which is why I was rather less supportive of Odd Future being refused a visa. Lyrics can often be the sentiments of an adopted persona, or an expression of chutzpah or humour or a bunch of other things. His actions are what matters here.

    Yeah, art (in the broadest sense) shouldn't generally constitute grounds for an immigration refusal.

    But I think it's reasonable to suggest that the lyrics to this year's 'She Goin' Up' rather undermine the whole "role model for the youth" argument.

    Also, what a shit tune.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Danielle, in reply to Rosemary McDonald,

    I listen to quite a lot of "objectionable" material in the car or house with my five-year-old. I think I made the decision not to censor our music out of laziness - I couldn't get rid of offensive songs without spending weeks or months doing the weeding! - but I have found it interesting to discuss what he picks up on and what flies right over his head. He will tell me off for singing along to "bad words" but seems to have no concept of elaborate lyrics being able to tell stories just yet. As he gets older I imagine we will have more discussions with him about lyrics and what they signify, whether they're sending us a useful or worrying message, whether they should be taken seriously or not.

    Charo World. Cuchi-cuchi!… • Since Nov 2006 • 3828 posts Report Reply

  • Tinakori, in reply to Sacha,

    Perhaps a reporter should ask the Aunties or Tuku if they (or any entity associated with them or nominated by them() have received anything or will receive anything in return for supporting (or following their support for, M'lud) Chris Brown's entry.

    Wellington • Since Jul 2013 • 118 posts Report Reply

  • Rosemary McDonald, in reply to Danielle,

    The words, like the fluoride in the toothpaste, do get in!

    I found myself muttering "I think I can, I think I can..." as my old Bus was chugging her way up the hill from Gulf Harbour the other week.


    Not a favourite of mine, or my now grown kids....but there it was..just under the surface waiting for an appropriate time to inspire.

    Waikato, or on the road • Since Apr 2014 • 1346 posts Report Reply

  • B Jones,

    There's a fair bit of high culture which has problematic messages embedded in it, but it passes because it's respectable. Heathcliff is one of literature's great tragic heroes - he stabs his wife in the neck and hangs her pet dog. He's a finely drawn abusive partner, and Wuthering Heights is taught in schools. I hope these days teachers mention that side of the story; I don't recall it that way in 1993. The Phantom of the Opera, the great melodrama of the 80s and early 90s - the climax of the plot is when Christine returns to the Phantom to save her fiance, who he had threatened to kill. Nobody batted an eyelid over feeding teenage girls that sort of material, which not only portrays relationship violence, it romanticises it. Yet Guns N Roses and so on were looked down upon. Class matters.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 976 posts Report Reply

  • Danielle,

    Well, Rosemary, I'll be sure to let you know when my child is directly inspired to commit violence by his square parents' old hiphop, OK? Then you can say I told you so.

    Charo World. Cuchi-cuchi!… • Since Nov 2006 • 3828 posts Report Reply

  • Rich Lock, in reply to Danielle,

    boggles the mind

    You need to be careful. That's how I ended up with a potato-shaped head.

    back in the mother countr… • Since Feb 2007 • 2728 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Russell Brown,

    undermine the whole "role model for the youth" argument

    And Mr Goulter's breathless claims to Morning Report that Brown has been doing 'numerous' engagements with 'a number of' anti-violence charities because he really has changed, y'all.

    While writing lyrics like that? #yeahright

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Rosemary McDonald, in reply to Danielle,

    No panic Danielle. When my trio were pre schoolers "The Jabberwock" and "The Owl and the Pussycat" were the favourites.

    (Their mother had (and still does) a loathing for commercial radio, and the cassette player in the van was always on the fritz, so such rhymes served for entertainment.)

    Neither of my beamish boys have shown any inclination towards taking up their vorpal swords, slaying bandersnatches, inter -species sex or sailing around in bile coloured craft.

    They do keep asking about runcible spoons...

    Waikato, or on the road • Since Apr 2014 • 1346 posts Report Reply

  • william blake,

    Dame Tariana Turias' stand on this issue seems to be based in a loving Christian gesture to a sinner. I heard her speaking of redemption on the wireless today in relation to Chris Brown. Well that's between him and God but no kind words for his victims, women and gay men who are lower in the Christian hierarchy.

    This would be a media storm in a teacup if it wasn't for the same thinking being behind Whanau Oras' family approach to domestic violence where the victim and perpetrator are compelled to meet and sort out their troubles.

    Redemption for the perpetrator at the expense of the victim via patriarchal bullshit.

    Since Mar 2010 • 380 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to william blake,

    Dame Tariana Turias' stand on this issue seems to be based in a loving Christian gesture to a sinner.

    I'd say she has been misled and had her beliefs taken advantage of. Redemption requires changed behaviour, not smooth claims from a PR guy.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Kumara Republic,

    When has Merepeka Raukawa-Tait ever not been idiosyncratic?

    And it's ironic that Australia, originally settled as a dumping ground for British convicts, is itself now exporting them.

    The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia, in reply to william blake,

    Dame Tariana Turias’ stand on this issue seems to be based in a loving Christian gesture to a sinner.

    Perhaps, and maybe they’ve taken this at face value:

    US singer Chris Brown says he wants to go to Australia to use his influence as an entertainer to raise awareness about domestic violence.

    He was commenting in a tweet to news at the weekend that he is unlikely to be given a visa to perform in Australia because of his domestic abuse record.

    The singer is scheduled to go on tour in Australia in December, and tickets went on sale on Monday.

    He was told on Sunday that he had 28 days to appeal against the decision.

    “I would be more than grateful to come to Australia to raise awareness about domestic violence,” Mr Brown tweeted. “I’m not the pink elephant in the room anymore."

    To which my only response is: “Gurrl, I’ve heard that song before and just because I got played like a cheap fiddle doesn’t mean you have to.” This is what shocks me most about the Chris Brown Fan Club – which has now gone global, BTW. We’re not talking about five naive bunnies fresh off the farm, but women I thought would have the nous to do some basic homework on the man they’re supporting. Something our host managed to do with little difficulty.

    It’s very easy to “forgive” someone who never reduced your face to a bloody pulp, or threatened to kill you for parking your car in the wrong place. But it’s damn easy to make the victims of abuse somehow marginal when they should be at the center of the story, and the safety of all women more important than some toxic man’s feels and income stream.

    Because in the end, I don’t believe Chris Brown. I don’t trust Chris Brown. I wouldn’t dare presume to “forgive” him for the pain and humiliation he’s caused others, because it’s not mine to give.

    And nobody’s convinced me to change my mind.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    Turia digs in even more defiantly on Morning Report today, and Kim Hill aint having a bar of it. Head-shaking denial of evidence. "I'll support whoever I want" etc.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • izogi, in reply to Sacha,

    Here’s the link.

    That was a strange interview. Kim Hill grilled her on due diligence and really just showed that Tariana Turia didn’t have a clue about the ongoing record. First she was claiming they’d done some investigation and believed claims had been made up, then when Kim Hill started listing incidents, she claimed she didn’t know anything about it, but it didn't matter anyway.

    Wellington • Since Jan 2007 • 1142 posts Report Reply

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