By: JORDAN PITTMAN
(Gainesville, Ga.) – This definitely isn’t the first time the entertainment or sports world has provided America with a tasteless elevator brawl for the year 2014. For the case of Ray Rice and his then fiancé, now wife, Janay Palmer, their long journey as the faces of domestic violence in the media began back in February when the first video surfaced of him dragging an unconscious Janay out of the elevator.
Speculations arose of what actions in particular could have occurred in the elevator that led up to Rice needing to remove Janay in this way, but none of the public’s questions were met with definite answers. Instead, Rice’s attorney cleverly titled the situation as a classic “minor physical altercation.”
When any average person could tell from one look at Janay’s collapsed body that the altercation was, clearly, not minor.
However, Janay still did what any good supporting wife would do in a situation where the media is attacking her husband for issues he obviously struggles with, she stood by him. In fact, she even voiced her disgust with the effects the media and the public’s opinions have made in the lives of her and her husband. This unexplainable act of senseless loyalty to love on one hand could be respected, but on the other, it just leaves most people baffled.
It is Janay’s undying support of her husband throughout this entire process that causes me to question, what are the rich and famous celebrities that we love to look up to so much, really showing us is acceptable when it comes to love and relationships?
Well, that’s a good question isn’t it? Between Chris Brown and Rihanna, Solange, Beyonce’ and Jay-z, and, now, Ray Rice and Janay, is domestic violence just a one-time mistake between these once happy homes? Or is it becoming a serious epidemic that is being normalized through some of the most influential, or public, figures in entertainment today? Unfortunately, I side with the latter.
There is never a reason, excuse, or issue that any male could possibly have to justify putting his hands on a woman. Not to say that all men should be burned at the stake every time there is a domestic violence altercation, but as women, we should expect more and never settle with the knowledge that celebrities have has this problem as well. If not, this problem will populate and infect couples all over like a bad virus if someone does not stand up and acknowledge that domestic violence is not okay and should not be normalized.
If you or someone you know may be experiencing possible domestic violence in a relationship with a loved one, do not be afraid to contact the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence at 1-800-33-HAVEN.
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