Unapologetic Rihanna: 'I'm Not a Parent'
Parents might be upset about her new music video, but for RnB singer Rihanna, it’s water off a duck’s back.
The 23-year-old has taken to Twitter to defend the video for her new song, “Man Down,” in which she shoots a man dead out of revenge for raping her.
She suggested it wasn’t her job to raise the nation’s kids.
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“The music industry isn’t exactly Parents R Us!” she tweeted.
“We have the freedom to make art, LET US! It’s your job to make sure they don’t turn out like us.”
In another tweet, she said: “I’m a 23-year-old rockstar with NO KIDS! What’s up with everybody wanting me to be a parent? I’m just a girl, I can only be your/our voice!”
The violent message has been condemned by media watchdogs.
The Parents Television Council said the video’s graphic portrayal of the singer getting back at an attacker by shooting him in cold blood before fleeing the scene was “potentially the worst possible message that could be sent.”
The group feels her video is a missed opportunity to help real rape victims.
In a statement, the PTC said: “Rihanna’s personal story and status as a celebrity superstar provided a golden opportunity for the singer to send an important message to female victims of rape and domestic violence.
“Instead of telling victims they should seek help, Rihanna released a music video that gives retaliation in the form of premeditated murder the imprimatur of acceptability.”
Rihanna was assaulted by her former boyfriend, singer Chris Brown, in 2009. Brown received five years’ probation for the assault and was ordered to stay at least 50 yards away from the singer.
Industry Ears, which monitors standards in the media, also slammed the video, which aired this week on BET.
“If Chris Brown shot a woman in his new video and BET premiered it, the world would stop,” said Paul Porter, co-founder of Industry Ears.
“Rihanna should not get a pass and BET should know better. The video is far from broadcast worthy.”
