Republicans Honor “Teen Dating Violence Prevention and Awareness Month” by Unanimously Voting Against the Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act
Since being signed into law in 1994, the Violence Against Women Act has been reauthorized by Congress in 2000 and 2005. Currently its reauthorization is being debated, and while passing this should be a “no-brainer,” not a single Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee voted in favor of the bill last week. In addition to wanting to cut funding to existing programs aimed at combating domestic violence, Republican opposition is aimed at wording that ensures protection of gay and transgendered victims, as well as provisions for illegal immigrants who seek assistance for domestic violence.
The timing of this debate coincides with “Teen Dating Violence Prevention and Awareness Month,” a result of the 2005 reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. In response to the alarming rates of dating violence here in the U.S.— 1 in 3 teens is a victim of physical, emotional, or verbal abuse from a dating partner, with girls and young women between the ages of 16 and 24 experiencing the highest rate of intimate partner violence—in 2010 Congress declared the month of February dedicated to raising awareness to this often overlooked problem. Now, I realize that just last week I made an argument about the effectiveness of “awareness.” And while I stand by my earlier comments in relation to breast cancer, I do believe that we as a nation are woefully unaware and ill-equipped in dealing with and understanding intimate partner violence.
If you don’t believe me, we only have to look back to last Sunday’s Grammy Awards and the debates surrounding Chris Brown’s performances, to see the ways in which domestic violence is misrepresented and misunderstood by the media. As everyone remembers, Brown, 23, was arrested on the eve of the Grammy Awards in 2009 for assaulting his then-girlfriend Rihanna, who was 21 at the time. This past Sunday, Brown performed at the Grammys for the first time since his arrest in 2009. For many, his two performances were too much, too soon. My point here, though, is not to debate the inclusion of Brown at the Grammys, but, rather, to stress the way in which reactions to Brown’s performances indicate our culture’s twisted relationship to violence against women.
Take, for example, this comment from Grammy producer Ken Ehrlich: “I think people deserve a second chance, you know. If you’ll note, he has not been on the Grammys for the past few years, and it may have taken us a while to kind of get over the fact that we were the victim of what happened.” Umm, I’m sorry, the Grammys were the victim here?? How exactly did the physical abuse Rihanna’s body suffered hurt the Grammys? Oh, that’s right, it didn’t. Rather, this is just one way in which the depoliticalization of the battered women’s movement has shifted the focus away from women—who, let’s face it, are the overwhelming majority of victims in these situations—and instead redirected the problem into what feminist Nancy J. Meyer describes as “a hyper-individualist rhetoric of impartial expert knowledge.” Or, in other words, a “culture of victimization” that sees everyone as a victim, except of course, those who actually are.
Even more disturbing than Ehrlich’s comments, though, were the number of Tweets during the Grammys from young girls saying things such as “I’d let Chris Brown beat me up” (@DontDoubtDani), “Like I’ve said multiple times before, Chris Brown can beat me all he wants…. I’d do anything to have him oh my” (@kelllllx), and “Dude, Chris brown can punch me in the face as much as want to, just as long as he kisses it (:” (@KaylaMarieWatts). While many of these women have fired back that they were “joking,” regardless of their intentions or meaning, they speak to the very warped way in which violence against women is seen as a joke in contemporary society.
The battered women’s movement arose from the second wave feminism in the 1960s and the 1970s, turning what was once seen as a “private, family matter,” into something that challenged patriarchal institutions that naturalized and legitimized violence. With its emphasis on “women,” the battered women’s movement argued that this violence was rooted in misogyny and sexism, and what happens to one woman is an issue for all women. Fast-forward to 2012 where domestic violence has been “domesticated” to the point where girls can “joke” about being beaten by a celebrity, and Republicans proudly put politics before the welfare of women. Maybe I’m too old, or too much of a feminist, but the humor is lost on me.
9 Responses to “Republicans Honor “Teen Dating Violence Prevention and Awareness Month” by Unanimously Voting Against the Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act”
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- - February 19, 2012
- - February 22, 2012
Jenn,
Another great post! These are all the things that have been on my mind this past week too. I actually refused to watch the Grammy Awards when I heard Chris Brown was performing. I wish I could say I was shocked by the tweets of young girls, but I wasn’t. When I brought up the Chris Brown issue in my writing class last summer, all my female students were largely dismissive of what he had done. One female student said, “So what! She was probably getting on his nerves that night.” Another student then chimed in with “How do you know she didn’t hit him first?” I think these young women were joking on some level, but I also see know humor in it…
Somehow society has encompassed even women into its misogyny and victim-blaming in that most people automatically are compelled to assume that the victim deserved punishment in some way. Is it our attempt to rationalize violence so that it is less of a worthy problem to attack, and that it can remain in the private sphere? Or as Jenn said is it that “we as a nation are woefully unaware and ill-equipped in dealing with and understanding intimate partner violence” ?
In addition, women are often pitted against eachother by the compulsion of patriachy, in a race for affection from men, leading us to say such rediculous comments as “Dude, Chris brown can punch me in the face as much as want to, just as long as he kisses it (:” (@KaylaMarieWatts). Not to mention the lack of flack Chris Brown received by the media for wounds he inflicted on another human being. The insinuation that Rihanna must have done something is a time-tested tool used by patriarchy against women to continue the status quo. The implications of such ways of thinking make serious lack of solidarity for the and thus future of women, when we laugh and make jokes at the deadly beating a fellow woman received. In Murray’s article from this past weeks reading she informs us of instances, such as with Mary, where women within the shelter threatened and abused the very women who came there to escape the violence. (84-85). Taking Murray’s argument to heart it seems that continued polarization between women, whether it be staff, counsellor, or resident, or between residents themselves, some aspects of the Battered Women’s Movement have been problematized through depoliticization.
What Catherine McKinnon implied, author of “Women’s Status, Men’s States”, and a prominent contemporary feminist theorist, was that during the Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatian conflict the law saw rape as such: “if it’s happening, it’s not so bad, and if it’s really bad, it isn’t happening”.(3) This seems to be the tendency of countries taking this laze-faire approach to dealing with gendered violence, from which the U.S. is not exempt. Such critique can be applied to the Chris Brown incident (I’m centering him as the perpetrator whose name I’ll drag through the mud from now on), in which people automatically say that if “it was really bad”, “She was probably getting on his nerves that night” ( drcyborgl) All of which somehow seeks to rationalize a completely irrational act–beating one’s loved one and sending them to the hospital.
The fact that the Senate is up in arms about reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act should shock and appall me, but, while I’m still thoroughly appalled, I’m not in the least bit shocked. When Jenn pointed out that the main points of contention for the Republicans were the inclusion of gay and transgender individuals, and undocumented immigrants under the Act’s protection, I knew politics would cloud the Senate’s judgment. It’s truly a shame that political agendas trump human rights in this day and age, but it’s not surprising. In my opinion, it all comes down to capitalistic drives. The politicians who are voting against re-authorization are concerned with consequences of supporting an Act that protects gays and undocumented immigrants. If one’s political policies are against such people, it is safe to safe that one’s financial backers are against these groups as well. Voting in favor of the Act could mean huge losses in financial support and compromise re-election, risks these Republican politicians are clearly not willing to make.
The fact this coincides with “Teen Dating Violence Prevention and Awareness Month” and Chris Brown’s “triumphant” return to the Grammys is irony at its finest. Let’s not even get me started on Chris Brown. In our Women’s Studies 320 course: Feminist Thought Into Action, we had a great discussion regarding the Chris Brown / Rihanna controversy and its larger discourse on violence against women.
Some of the most interesting things we talked about included the portrayal of Chris Brown and Rihanna by the media following the attack. While Chris Brown did receive some immediate backlash, his story largely became about redemption. The media and the country at large painted Chris Brown’s return to the Grammys as a comeback story. “He’s changed his ways and he’s back and better than ever!” was the general opinion about Brown’s return to the spotlight. Forget the fact that he viciously beat a woman, the man can perform!
The media’s portrayal of Rihanna was drastically different. After the attack, every magazine was plastered with her face, captions reading “How did this happen?” Police sold her confidential crime photos to the media and soon every person in the country had seen Rihanna’s bruised and blooded face. However, the country did not make Rihanna a victim. I remember classmates stating, “Well, she gave him herpes. She deserved it.” “I heard she was cheating on him. She deserved it.” “Maybe she was getting on his nerves that night. She deserved it.” She deserved it. I couldn’t believe this sentiment was being echoed throughout the country. The media effectively told Rihanna to get over it and make music.
And then we judged her on the kind of music she made. Her hits following the attack include “Rude Boy,” “Love the Way You Lie,” “S&M,” and “We Found Love in a Hopeless Place,” which all romanticize violence in intimate partner relationships. While I can’t make any judgements about Rihanna choosing to send these types of messages through her music as I do not know how much creative control she has in her career nor do I know how she feels regarding her attack. She did not ask to become the poster child for domestic abuse and is very clearly distancing herself from that label.
What I find interesting is how this music reflects society’s romantic feelings towards violence. Violence is glorified and romanticized by the media and in popular culture. The media is teaching youth that violence is an acceptable response and is often funny or sexy. Its no wonder with these messages being hurled at us that undergrads are saying such ignorant things as “I’d let Chris Brown hit me any day!” I don’t know about Chris Brown, but I’d sure like to hit you. Oh no, my socialization is talking again.
I am having a very difficult time understanding the logic of Republicans opposing the reauthorizing of the Violence Against Women Act. The Republican’s reasoning has to do with the inclusion of gay/transgendered and undocumented immigrants under the Violence Against Women Act’s protection. May I point out the key word: PROTECTION. Republicans have a right to their views regarding the gay and transgender community, but it is nothing less than cruel to say the members of this community do not deserve equal protection. I have the same opinion on the issue of undocumented immigrants, the point is that they are here now and facing violence in this country. Do the Republicans believe that if they simply ignore these groups they do not exist? Whether we provide gay/transgender and undocumented immigrants protection or not will not change the fact that these groups have a presence in our society. So we have a choice, to help them or to turn the other cheek.
The Republicans are not the only ones doing a botched job of honoring “Teen Dating Violence Prevention and Awareness Month”, of course there is the controversy surrounding Chris Brown’s Grammy performance but what about the death of Whitney Houston? I have seen an array of negative comments on social networking cites referring to Houston as a “crackhead” and worse. Everyone seems to be aware of the fact that the singer struggled with drug problems, but no one seems to be aware of the fact that she was a victim of domestic abuse.
It seems our culture has trouble identifying the true victims in domestic violence cases. Chris Brown brutally beat Rihanna, yet so many have tried to put the blame on Rihanna. Not only has Rihanna been blamed for her abuse but she has also been deemed a “whore” for the music she put out post attack (talk about a binary). So just three short years after the attack Chris Brown gets to be the comeback kid and Rihanna a masochist who asked for it? Give me a break.
It’s incredibly shocking to me that there is actually a debate going on about whether or not the Violence Against Women Act should be reauthorized. I feel like even after simply reading the name of the law it should be a no-brainer. But, unfortunately, the protection of gay and transgendered victims, as well as illegal immigrants is an unacceptable idea. I mean, why should we protect our fellow human beings?! What happened to empathy and caring about our fellow people? It’s really quite shocking to me.
I was also quite shocked when I watched the Grammy’s and saw Chris Brown perform. I don’t usually watch any of those award shows, but I was rooting for Mumford & Sons and knew Adele was performing so I decided to. I was blown away by the fact people would even consider letting Chris Brown perform, never mind actually going through with letting him. It’s almost as if we as a society are desensitized to domestic violence, or at least that we don’t take it seriously (as seen in the tweets those girls posted). We are all too quick to forgive and forget.
The fact that Chris Brown and Rihanna just released a song together doesn’t really send that great of a message either. I know neither of them signed up to be anyone’s role model, but for Rihanna to do this was especially upsetting. I don’t think she’s trying to send any sort of message to anyone by doing this, but it does indeed send a message. It shows a woman going back to a man that committed an atrocious violent act towards her, almost making it seem as if it was okay and forgivable, which it clearly is not.
I’m completely appalled that the senate Is debating “Violence Against Women Act” this is such an important issue and an important step to taking to end it. I think that our culture has made it seem like it was yesterday’s issue. The issue of domestic violence is so Out there, and yet it’s not. People know what it is, and yet it is made to seem like something that is not an issue, that never happens. I look at the situation with Rihanna And Chris Brown, where Chris was still liked because “it’s okay he’s a woman beater, his music is still good” isn’t his music apart of who heis? And yet Rihanna who is clearly the victim, deserved it? Girls and woman are less likely to confront the issue because they know they won’t be taken seriously, but Also because they dont take themselves seriously. I look at all of the songs I listened to growing up, brittney’s “Born to make you happy” and “I’m a slave for you” and also ones that are popular now, Neon HItch’s “Fuk U Betta” (which has an edited version “Luv U Betta”) I listen to songs that emphasize on women’s body parts like “Dance A$$” by Big Sean and I’m like no wonder women aren’t taken seriously when they are in these situations, it is made to seem normal that they are objects and targets of abuse. I had an ex boyfriend who used to say things like “I’ll punch you in the stomach if you’re pregnant” joking around? No. That is not okay. I also have heard guys say things like “smack a hoe” and terms like that. I don’t understand how this has become so normal, but it is our culture which has mde it normal and okay to say things like this. It is our culture which has put such an emphasis on sex and being sexy and pleasing that has stunted our relationship growth. It had also instilled a belief that everyone is capable of change and can change our world. Which not only preents a victim of a false hope of change, but giving them the idea that they have the power to change their works which they may not have in the present situation. I think that our culture sets victims up for domestic violence, and then denies Its existence.
I am just confused by all of this, why is the senate debating the “Violence Against Women Act”. It is such an important issue and an even bigger step in taking to end violence against women. Society does not like to linger on issues like this; they think that once a little something is done than the issue will be solved on its own. Domestic violence appears to be out there, but yet it is completely hidden at the same time. Domestic violence happens behind closed doors; so much people assume that it does not happen because it is not being seen. I think that a big problem with the violence against women is when it happens in the public eye. Just think about the celebrities that have been shown in magazines with bruises on their faces or on their arms. The ones who did this to them are getting more publicity because of what they did. Rihanna and Chris Brown are a great example of this because after it happened, Chris Brown was still the same person. Girls were still listening to his music and supporting him as if he was still this innocent person who has done nothing wrong. What could any women possibly do that she deserves to be hit? The answer is nothing.
Women are less likely to confront the issue at hand because they may think that it was a onetime thing and that they must have done something to make him mad. Women have been put down for so long that they have a hard time taking themselves seriously, which leads to more problems when there is an issue that needs to be talked about. How are women supposed to take themselves seriously when in our society everywhere you look there is something about women being below men? I remember when I took WMS 150, one class we listened to a couple rap songs and actually broke down the lyrics. Listening to the songs is different than actually understand what is being said. All of the songs that we listened to were demeaning women. It has become accustomed in our society to have music like that. I just recently went to the J. Cole concert at the Ryan Center and the opening act for him was saying, “f*ck these bitches and f*ck these hoes.” I looked at my friend and then say these other girls’ facing expressing everything that I was feeling at the same time. It was so demeaning to all the women that were at the show, but why is he going to care when this is the kind of music that everyone listens to? There are messages that are being sent to women through these songs, telling them that they are just objects and property to men. With all the work that has been put toward women’s equality, I just don’t understand why things like this are still socially acceptable.
I myself a jokester, but sometimes people take the jokes to a whole other level. How are they going to know that it is wrong to say something if no one tells them? The society that we have been brought up in has made comments more socially acceptable than they should be. I remember my friend was doing an internship at Planned Parenthood and someone asked her if she was going to be doing the abortions this a iron coat hanger. Who would even think to say something like that? Our society has created monsters and these monsters are going after women. I would have never thought that after everything we have gone through to get where we are today that society would allow for just demeaning language.