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I spoke about Chris Brown on CNN not too long ago, and I am sure I'll be talking about him now. Given his shocking 5-year probationary smackdown by a judge, I am sure that Chris has been humbled beyond belief. Even I was surprised to see him get this kind of punishment. But the truth is that when we make personal decisions, there is a piper to be paid, and sometimes that piper wants more compensation than we wish to deliver.
But Chris Brown is far from finished, and I expect him to be back on top in no time. The Chris Brown brand is still worth hundreds of millions of dollars, since corporate America is very good at working around the emotional to secure the logical value of their financial assets. Here are some things to keep in mind as Chris tries to rebuild his damaged career.
If R. Kelly can make a comeback, anybody can. I confess that R. Kelly honestly sickens me. I hate to say it this way, but the idea of a man doing what he is alleged to have done to that little girl makes me as angry as you can ever possibly imagine (and yes, I do believe that was him in that video). What disturbs me even more is that the American public let the entire issue go as soon as Kelly released another hit song. This sends a horrible message to young black women, reflecting the fact that our culture does not value their well-being as much as we value a hit song about going to the club, getting drunk and having irresponsible sex at the end of the night. Sorry homeboy, but you can't serenade your way into my good graces or that of any other conscientious African American. There are simply some lines entertainers cannot cross and being found "not guilty" is not the same as being found innocent.
In spite of the obvious critique one can thrust on R. Kelly, the oddest thing is that R. Kelly's model of career recovery can serve as an instruction manual for Chris Brown. The first segment of that lesson came during R. Kelly's first BET interview after the child pornography allegations were made. During the interview, I noticed that the singer kept repeating the phrase, "Just focus on my music." He repeated the phrase several times, as if his business manager had coached him to do so. Upon processing things later, the translation here was simple: If you are focused on his music, you will forgive him for the fact that he'd been accused of doing nasty things to someone's 13-year-old daughter. Yes it's sick. Yes, it bothers me. But yes, it's the truth and it has worked quite well for R. Kelly and his business model (notice that it took him a while to release his latest album after the trial -- the public typically cools off and forgets almost anything you've done if enough time passes).
Chris Brown Photos
Singer Chris Brown leaves the Los Angeles Superior Court after sentencing in his felony assault case against fellow singer and former girlfriend Rihanna, on August 25, 2009. Brown was sentenced to five years probation and 1400 hours of community orientated labour. The incident shocked the music world and left Rihanna nursing cuts and bruises to her face, forcing her to cancel a scheduled performance at the Grammys in Los Angeles later that day. TOPSHOTS AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Singer Chris Brown (L) listens with his lawyer Mark Geragos (R) inside the Los Angeles Superior Court during the sentencing in his felony assault case against Rihanna, on August 25, 2009. Brown was sentenced to five years probation and 1400 hours of community orientated labour. The incident shocked the music world and left Rihanna nursing cuts and bruises to her face, forcing her to cancel a scheduled performance at the Grammys in Los Angeles later that day. AFP PHOTO/POOL/Rick LOOMIS (Photo credit should read RICK LOOMIS/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Singer Chris Brown reacts inside the Los Angeles Superior Court during the sentencing in his felony assault case against Rihanna, on August 25, 2009. Brown was sentenced to five years probation and 1400 hours of community orientated labour. The incident shocked the music world and left Rihanna nursing cuts and bruises to her face, forcing her to cancel a scheduled performance at the Grammys in Los Angeles later that day. AFP PHOTO/POOL/Rick LOOMIS (Photo credit should read RICK LOOMIS/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Singer Chris Brown smiles inside the Los Angeles Superior Court during the sentencing in his felony assault case against Rihanna, on August 25, 2009. Brown was sentenced to five years probation and 1400 hours of community orientated labour. The incident shocked the music world and left Rihanna nursing cuts and bruises to her face, forcing her to cancel a scheduled performance at the Grammys in Los Angeles later that day. AFP PHOTO/POOL/Rick LOOMIS (Photo credit should read RICK LOOMIS/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Singer Chris Brown smiles inside the Los Angeles Superior Court during the sentencing in his felony assault case against Rihanna, on August 25, 2009. Brown was sentenced to five years probation and 1400 hours of community orientated labour. The incident shocked the music world and left Rihanna nursing cuts and bruises to her face, forcing her to cancel a scheduled performance at the Grammys in Los Angeles later that day. AFP PHOTO/POOL/Rick LOOMIS (Photo credit should read RICK LOOMIS/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Singer Chris Brown leaves the Los Angeles Superior Court after sentencing in his felony assault case against fellow singer and former girlfriend Rihanna, on August 25, 2009. Brown was sentenced to five years probation and 1400 hours of community orientated labour. The incident shocked the music world and left Rihanna nursing cuts and bruises to her face, forcing her to cancel a scheduled performance at the Grammys in Los Angeles later that day. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Singer Chris Brown leaves the Los Angeles Superior Court after sentencing in his felony assault case against fellow singer and former girlfriend Rihanna, on August 25, 2009. Brown was sentenced to five years probation and 1400 hours of community orientated labour. The incident shocked the music world and left Rihanna nursing cuts and bruises to her face, forcing her to cancel a scheduled performance at the Grammys in Los Angeles later that day. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Singer Chris Brown (C) arrives at the Los Angeles Superior Court before sentencing in his felony assault case against fellow singer and former girlfriend Rihanna, on August 25, 2009. Brown was sentenced to five years probation and 1400 hours of community orientated labour. The incident shocked the music world and left Rihanna nursing cuts and bruises to her face, forcing her to cancel a scheduled performance at the Grammys in Los Angeles later that day. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Singer Chris Brown (C) arrives at the Los Angeles Superior Court before sentencing in his felony assault case against fellow singer and former girlfriend Rihanna, on August 25, 2009. Brown was sentenced to five years probation and 1400 hours of community orientated labour. The incident shocked the music world and left Rihanna nursing cuts and bruises to her face, forcing her to cancel a scheduled performance at the Grammys in Los Angeles later that day. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Singer Chris Brown (2nd L) leaves the Los Angeles Superior Court after sentencing in his felony assault case against fellow singer and former girlfriend Rihanna, on August 25, 2009. Brown was sentenced to five years probation and 1400 hours of community orientated labour. The incident shocked the music world and left Rihanna nursing cuts and bruises to her face, forcing her to cancel a scheduled performance at the Grammys in Los Angeles later that day. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Similar to the R. Kelly situation, I've noticed that many female music fans really don't care that Chris Brown is a man who seems to believe that it's O.K. to use a woman's face as a punching bag. The report that he used the big ring on his finger to inflict even more damage to Rihanna reminds you of the late Ike Turner. I hope he takes his domestic violence counseling seriously, since he can't go on living like this.
In the music industry, fans are quick to accept eccentric behavior from celebrities. The public took no issue with Michael Jackson's problematic relationships with children and there are many other scenarios in which a hit record is enough to take value judgments off the radar screen. Personally, I find myself in constant shock at the kind of language Lil Wayne's female fans allow him to use to consistently disrespect them. It almost seems that a polite Lil Wayne would not sell nearly as many records as the drunken, outlandish rapper who appears to have a serious drug problem.
Value systems aside and with the focus back on business, a black entertainer can rebuild his career after an arrest by doing the following things:
1) Just say that Jesus healed you. People always buy that one. It worked for R. Kelly. References to God, even when insincere and blatantly hypocritical, invoke deeply entrenched sensibilities within African Americans. Personally, I need proof that you've really changed, not just your statement that Jesus came to you in a dream.
2) Sincerely apologize. People always love a good apology.
3) Make a really hot song. If people are dancing to your music, they usually forget that you might want to punch out their daughter or think that she's a garden tool. Unfortunate, but true.
4) Remember the truth: People really don't care that much about the celeb's personal life and are looking for an excuse to forgive him anyway. I recall speaking to someone who works for a major network, and I was in awe over how nonchalant she was about the R. Kelly situation. All she kept saying was, "Well, he ISSSS talented," as if his talent forgives him for any sin committed in the present, past or future. I bumped into a radio exec at a major station in Chicago and listened to him essentially say the same thing when explaining why his station adjusted its policy against playing R. Kelly music shortly after the allegations. The fact is that people just don't care.
Chris Brown's brand will remain strong in the music industry. From a business standpoint, it is also ironic that being arrested may actually be a "coming out" party for him, reinventing him for the world as the tough, borderline thug that many women seem to love (remember when Lauren London said she had a crush on Ol Dog from Menace to Society -- a man known for being the craziest gang banger in entertainment history?). These coming out parties are common, as you typically see young actresses do sexy magazine covers on their 18th birthday (i.e. when "Simply Raven" became "Sexy Raven" and when Rudy Huxtable played a prostitute in her latest film), or male entertainers trying to look mean and "tatted up" to break away from their good boy image (i.e. Lil Bow Wow....I mean, Bow Wow). It's all about branding. The craziest thing about the Chris Brown situation is that being arrested for beating a woman could actually work to his advantage. So, our adoration for Chris Brown (actually, other people's adoration, since I don't respect any man who would do that to a woman) is a reflection of our society and a nasty look in the mirror for all of us. I should say, however, that I consider Chris Brown to be far different from R. Kelly: He is still a very young man who makes mistakes and could possibly become a decent adult with guidance and significant intervention -- which spoiled celebrities seldom receive.
Don't be surprised to see Chris hanging out with more rappers, where it's actually a good thing to be arrested. He's going to have a few more tattoos, a meaner "mug" on his next album and present a brand that embraces the hardcore image, yet not so hardcore that you won't believe him when he sincerely apologizes and says that Jesus saved him. The new Chris Brown will be interesting.
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Dr. Boyce Watkins is a Distinguished Scholar with the Barbara Jordan Institute for Policy Research. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered directly to your email, please click here.
Comments: (24)
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By: Tina on 9/06/2009 9:35PM
Chris Brown don't have to learn to molest young girls from R. Kelly. That crap is happening in peoples homes every day. I can't believe how many people seem to look the other way when this crap happens right in their neighborhoods. So don't act like R. Kelly is the first person you know to get involved with a young girl. Where I'm from it's accepted by everyone. So... whatever! As Michael Jackson sang it " I'm starting with that man in the mirror" . Before you judge make sure you don't have any skeletons in your own closet!!!!
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By: Libbylove on 9/05/2009 5:37PM
I LOVE CHRIS BROWN AND YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT DA HELL WENT ON IN THAT LIMO AND PROBABLY NEVA GONA KNOW. BUT AS A WOMEN MYSELF WE TEND TO PUSH BUTTONS, HARD AND CONSTANT BUT AT THE SAME TIME I DONT SUPPORT HITTN WOMEN. IF HE WAS SOMEBODY UMM LET ME SEE US THEY WOULDN'T GIVE A SHIT WHAT HE DO BUT DA FACT DAT HE HAS A LAMBO BIGGG DIFFERNCE...
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By: DEBORAH on 9/05/2009 8:41PM
Referring to Dr. Boyce comment regarding Chris Brown, Yes I believe Chris needed to be taught a listen regarding assaulting has mate, but I believe that the women play a big part and insulting his feeling and pushing him to the edge of wanting to hit. It is necessary to understand your mate and drugs and jealousy will make you leave your spiritual soul and let the devil work its way in.
R. Kelly! I truly believe did not realize that the female was a child, if he did why would he film the event that was a set up to the end.
How let look at Michael Jackson, Michael was deprive a childhood and love the reaction of children, he did not do any harm to any children but money and greedy people will cause famous people harm, people life’s are short and precious please respect peoples space unless you know for a fact that something happen to a child to many people are causing trouble because they can.
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By: Sister Fed Up on 9/06/2009 4:41PM
RKelly and Chris Brown is the reason cops don't take crimes against black women and children as serious as whites when they are raped, missing or killed. They know if it’s black on black especially
if the scum got fame and money they accept it, and blame the victim.Rkelly should be banished from the black race, but sadly its black women who are
quicker to blame the girl than RKelly.Chris Brown is just a punk who has an anger problem. The boy needs help and better get it before he's sharing a bunk with OJ.
Black women this is how Al Sharpton and the NAACP feel about you and your children’s pain. What they did was appalling and unforgivable, but you will be suckerd and forgiving. Stop being used, hold on to your donations. Give them nothing and see how long they last without your money.
A Political Season
An Open Letter to the NAACP and Al Sharpton
Published by Aaron + Alaine on March 15, 2008 at 4:06 PM
I sent the following to NAN and the NAACP at 4:04 pm Saturday March 15, 2008. I encourage you to do the same and more.To:
Al Sharpton - National Action Network
Julian Bond - Chairman - NAACP
Maude Ford Lee - President - West Palm Beach Branch NAACP
Sabu Williams - Director - Florida State Conference NAACP
I'm writing to protest the recent actions of the NAACP and the National Action Network in the Dunbar Village rape case. As you know, on June 18th, 2007, a black woman and her 12 year old son were viciously and savagely attacked by 10 black men and boys in a West Palm Beach Florida public housing project called Dunbar Village . The woman was brutally gang raped for over three hours, tortured and forced to perform oral sex on her 12 year old son at gunpoint. They were doused with chemicals, poured into their eyes and the woman's vagina in an attempt to destroy evidence. They were saved from being burned alive only because the rapists could not find matches. No one called the police during the three hour attack. No one came to their aid when the attack was over. They had to walk a mile to a hospital before they were assisted by anyone.
On Tuesday, March 11, 2008, Al Sharpton and the West Palm Beach NAACP held a press conference accusing the prosecutor of treating those arrested in this case unfairly. You demanded that the prosecutor offer bail to the boys arrested in this case and not try them as adults, because this was being done by the prosecutor in another gang rape case involving white perpetrators in a different Florida jurisdiction.
Following the attack, vigorous efforts were made to contact NAN and the NAACP and enlist your aid in getting help and attention for the victim of this horrific crime. An NAACP spokesman, when contacted, said they would not respond because "it was outside their mission". Despite repeated calls to the National Action Network, there was NO RESPONSE. No statement on behalf of the victim, no protest, not one single word. Contrast this to the swift and vocal response Al Sharpton and NAN exhibited to the Duke rape case. In the Duke case, loud and vocal support of the victim and calls for justice for her attackers, but in the Dunbar Village case.......complete silence. The difference between the two cases? At Duke - the alleged attackers were white men; in Dunbar Village, the alleged attackers are black men. Contrast the response in this case to the NAACP's vigorous defense of Michael Vick for merely killing dogs, but the brutal and horrific gang rape of a black woman in front of her 12 year old son provokes not a single word.
For almost a year, NAN and the NAACP had nothing to say in support of the black woman victim and her son. You made no calls for the West Palm Beach police to swiftly find these criminals, of whom six are still on the loose. You did nothing to my knowledge to offer help to this woman and her child to help them recover. In all points, you exhibited a complete moral indifference to the crime committed against this black woman. Now, almost a year later, you come rushing to the defense of....the rapists??!!!! Your actions send the clear message that crimes committed against black women are not important to your organizations unless they present an opportunity to protest perceived racism and if exploiting a poor, gang raped black woman can help you grab some media spotlight for that purpose, thats okay.
I ask, where is your moral compass? How is it that the vile nature of what you are doing is not apparent to you? You are championing rapists while deliberately, purposefully ignoring the vicious gang rape and torture of a black woman. Your actions make clear that neither you Al Sharpton as a black man, nor the NAACP, value the dignity, safety and well being of black women. Your actions make clear that the rape and violation of black women is okay depending on the race of the violator. You will protest the rape of black women by white men, but you will say nothing about the rape of black women by black men and in fact will defend the black rapists of african american women. It is a second violation of this woman and indeed of all black women as vile as the first.
Your behavior in this case is morally indefensible and despicable. There is no justification for it, no basis in morality that would support what Al Sharpton and the NAACP are doing. I demand that you reverse course. I demand that you turn the resources of your organization to providing support and aid to the innocent victims in this case, not the perpetrators. I demand that you publicly in word and deed put pressure on the West Palm Beach authorities to find and arrest the other six rapists still on the loose.
If you are unwilling to immediately and publicly acknowledge the error of your actions in regard to the Dunbar Village case, I and as many others as I can persuade to join me, will pursue every avenue available to make the public at large, the media, your membership, your financial and political supporters, your sponsors and the entire world aware of your willing and informed support and encouragement of the brutal rape and torture of a black woman. My outrage is shared by many others. NAN and the NAACP will be held accountable.
The actions of Al Sharpton and the NAACP to support rapists of black women is a moral abomination, a moral atrocity. It degrades and sullies the good the NAACP has accomplished. It should not be allowed to stand. It is non negotiable. If the NAACP and NAN must be ripped apart and rebuilt anew to restore its moral compass and establish as sacrosanct the dignity, value and safety of black women, that is preferable to organizations which knowingly support the violation and rape of black women.
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To our readers. If you agree with the above, make it a letter template for other people. Forward it, twit it, facebook it, newsvine it, digg it, and anything else you can think of. Turn it into a viral hurricane of outrage and accountability.
You can communicate directly to the organizations with the info below:
NAACP: Julian Bond -Chairman
4805 Mt. Hope Drive, Baltimore MD 21215
Toll Free: (877) NAACP-98
Local: (410) 580-5777
National Action Network
Al Sharpton
Crisis Department
106 W. 145th Street
Harlem, New York 10039
212-690-3070
877-NAN-HOJ1
crisis@nationalactionnetwork.net
revalmedia@yahoo.com
NAACP: Florida State Conference
DIRECTOR: MR. SABU WILLIAMS
ADDRESS: 230 Seneca Trail; Crest View, FL 32536
TELEPHONE: (850) 301-2095 FAX: (850) 301-2098
E-MAIL: sabu1@aol.com
West Palm Beach County Branch - Unit # 5143
President: Maude Ford Lee
Mailing Address: P. O. Box 4131 West Palm Beach, FL 33407
Telephone: (561) 655-9798
E-Mail: unit5143@naacp.org
This behavior should not be allowed to stand. Let's put a stop to it.
Posted by Aaron + Alaine
Labels: Al Sharpton, black women, Dunbar Village, NAACP
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